Does a run absolutely need a top?

[StrawberryHouseMouse]

It depends. Do you want to keep your birds alive? If so then I say put a top on. Could be something simple like deer netting.

 

[TerriLaChicks]

They don't call them "chicken hawks" for nothing...

 

[SilverStar]

I would certanly cover the top. Chicken hawlks will swoop down and grab a chicken very quickly. I have even heard about them grabing up full sized hens. Better to be over cautions, i always say.
Good luck

 

[Homesteading_Bound]

gkeesling I heard the same thing about the fish line. They can't swoop in.

There are many people who have chickens who cannot afford all the fancy costly stuff.....so Grrrreat Idea!!!!!!

 

[RasMama]

would chicken wire suffice for a top to protect against such dangers as skunks & raccoons? will they chew threw the thinner gauge wire way up on the roof?

 

[vnploveschickens]

You should put a cover over your run. We did not put a cover over our run when we first got our chickens. A hawk took our sweet little polish within 2 weeks. We put up deer netting over the entire run. We haven't lost another to a hawk since.

It was a hard lesson. Better to be safe than sorry.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
No. (WEll, skunks don't climb so they're not an 'over the wall' danger -- but raccoons certainly do, as do possums, some foxes, and some dogs)

They will just stand up there and rip it apart, or even just collapse it with their weight til an opening comes apart where two parts were formerly joined.

Personally I think that if you're not going to use something varmint-proof like well-supported 2x4 wire mesh, may's well just drop back to trellis netting or something like that, it's cheaper and I don't see as it's really any meaningful step down in security from chickenwire (which is also much more aggravating to install as a top).

There are lots of ways of doing it according to your personal feelings about risks and consequences, though.

JMO,

Pat

 

[Windwhistlefarm]

I don't know what "deer netting, bird netting is, but I picked up some green heavy duty (?propylene) netting at Mennard's-fairly cheap and have applied on top of the chicken wire I made an envelope of run with. I did this AFTER 2 varmit raids and loss of 5 birds! This green stuff bounced a hawk on it bum, does provide a cut in hot sunlight, but I can't say it's pretty to look at and I miss being able to see the ladies from my kitchen window.

 

[arlee453]

My chickens have a 4' chainlink fence around their run area. They have free run of the pen all the time - i don't close them in their coops at night ever.

I use deer netting and pvc pipes attached to the fence posts to make arcs. Some cable ties to fasten it all together and it works well and isn't too unsightly.

Never lost a bird from a predator yet....although we see hawks on a regular basis and do have foxes and possums and racoons around.

 

[RasMama]

Quote:
No. (WEll, skunks don't climb so they're not an 'over the wall' danger -- but raccoons certainly do, as do possums, some foxes, and some dogs)

They will just stand up there and rip it apart, or even just collapse it with their weight til an opening comes apart where two parts were formerly joined.

Personally I think that if you're not going to use something varmint-proof like well-supported 2x4 wire mesh, may's well just drop back to trellis netting or something like that, it's cheaper and I don't see as it's really any meaningful step down in security from chickenwire (which is also much more aggravating to install as a top).

There are lots of ways of doing it according to your personal feelings about risks and consequences, though.

JMO,

Pat

My issue is that we lost 2 hens to a skunk, but raccoons are around too. I lock them up at night now, which is when both of these would be around mostly (& the lock holds, they tested it last night

). I just want an extra deterrent, & to ward off any rare day attacks.
Don't mean to hijack