fencing for run and overhead poultry netting

[patandchickens]

Deer netting is not intended in any way to keep out mammals climbing the fence (raccoons, dogs, foxes etc)... *all* it does is keep chickens in and raptors out. (Which is still a valuable service, of course!). Yes, raccoons and foxes and such do sometimes hunt in daytime -- not often, but sometimes, especially in the time of year we're coming up on now, when they have young to feed. If you have a netting top, you are simply deciding to risk that.

Remember that netting will not necessarily stay up with snowload (exception: wide mesh expensive flight-cage netting that's well-supported) - so you may be taking it down for the winter.

Pat

 

[janicew1290]

Hello,

This is my first post; I am looking for a single piece of netting to cover a 25 by 35 foot fenced area. I tried deer netting, but despite ties to hold the 10 foot wide strips together, it had gaps, allowing a smallish hawk to dip in and nearly make off with one of my bantam hens. Fortunately, I was right there to intercept the process. For my purposes, the netting needs to be light enough not to sag, but strong enough to withstand hawks and bobcats who climb over the top. Had a bobcat grab one of my girls through the fence, but he had to release her in order to pull his head back. Luckily, even though she came out of it bald-bellied, she suffered no harm otherwise. So, duh, I know I need tighter mesh as well. At any rate, any suggesting regarding overhead netting, other than deer fencing, would be greatly appreciated.

Janice

 

[silkies mama]

Just yesterday a hawk decided to go into my big fenced chicken pen, killed a beautiful silkie. Then walked right into my chicken coop (which is in my barn!!, Its a converted double horse stall) and hung out with the rest of the silkies.... I was horrified to say the least. When that big bird flew past me to get out the door I almost peeded my pants.... so yes cover your runs. We just burried our girl last night. So sad, she was the type of bird that came into the house for visits...

 

[jaj121159]

I have covered all my runs. I have a large run covered by deer netting and it worked well for two years until a juvie Redtail decided to crash it this fall. The hawk got a adult Russian Orloff and ate it on the spot. Problem was the hawk couldn't find it's way out of the run since most of the netting was still intact. I pulled the netting back and the hawk did fly out. I replaced the deer netting with chicken wire (for aerial protection only).

Last week I had a sharp shinned hawk get in the run despite the chicken wire. I believed it slipped in a small gap above the run gates. This hawk was too small to get any chickens, but did give my wife a scare when she discovered it in the run.

It would recommend covering your run. Deer netting will work, but I would go with something stronger if possible. I still have deer netting on one of my six runs, but it will soon be replaced with chicken wire.

 

[HR CLUCKnSTUFF]

Just weave fishing line in the plea to hold two prices of netting together and tie it offat the end.