- Sep 7, 2009
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You will find that poultry netting does not keep chickens in unless you clip wings and if you clip wings, your chickens are just that much more vulnerable to predators who can defeat your defenses. If your area is wooded, poultry netting will not keep out predators who can climb trees nor will it protect against airborne predators.
Another idea might be a high tensile multi-strand electric fence that will keep most predators out but allow chickens who can fly to come and go. If they're outside the fence and threatened, they can always fly to the inside. Provide some cover inside the electric fence so that the chickens can avoid airborne predators. This would be a lot less expensive option. Keep in mind, if you're going to truly free range your chickens you are going to have to accept some losses.
Another idea might be a high tensile multi-strand electric fence that will keep most predators out but allow chickens who can fly to come and go. If they're outside the fence and threatened, they can always fly to the inside. Provide some cover inside the electric fence so that the chickens can avoid airborne predators. This would be a lot less expensive option. Keep in mind, if you're going to truly free range your chickens you are going to have to accept some losses.