Netting for my Run

[BayCityBabe]

I had not planned to enclose the top of my run; HOWEVER, we have had a bizarre influx of hawks in our area. We live on a river. In years past, we would see a few hawks - a couple a week. Now, we are seeing a couple a day. Also, it appears that many (if not most) of our wild ducks have lost their ducklings. I do not want my new chicks to be here today, gone tomorrow.
Any inexpensive recommendations to top off a 18' X 30' run?
Thanks!

 

[plapczynski]

I got this of eBay for $30.00
http://cgi.ebay.com/25x50-Net-Netti...tcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It is a 2" netting that is 25' x 50'. My run size was 40'x15' and it covered it fine. I ran it tight on the top with hog rings on to tie it to the fence. I have a roost in the middle of the run made out of 2x4s that it 8' long that is tall enough to raise the net in the center. My side fence is 6' tall.

You can also get 1" holes in the net, but the price goes over $100 for the netting then.

Some people use welded wire, chicken wire, or hardware cloth but the costs at that size get pretty high.

 

[Standard Hen]

I originally put the plastic netting for when I needed to have my birds in lockdown when hawks came to visit. It was cheaper than wire and worked well. BUT this winter with all the snow, the heavy wet kind, it all sunk in because it stretches. I ended up having to rip it all off because it came partially off and I could not get in the pens. I now put up chicken wire and adding a few more crossbeams. I know you can also get alot of snow in Michigan so it might be something you will want to consider.

 

[DottieMarie]

We too live in Michigan and we use netting for our 70' by 20" flight pen for our game birds. Hawks hang out but have never gotten a bird. Now the raccoons, that's another story. Every spring we have to check for holes due to the snow putting weight on the posts; we sew them up and are good for the year. If the raccoons beat us to the holes, we're going to loose some birds but the hawks just hang in the trees licking their beaks!

 

[smom1976]

I just scored (pun intended) two soccer nets I took the side wings off and tied them together and put them across the top of my coop.. FREE

I used staples and secured it to the fence on two sides one being higher than the other and the front and the shed.. I can walk under it the whole way around.. I am so excited..

 

[yankeemtfarm]

Plastic netting above will help protect against hawks.

However your chickens will draw predators of all kinds , best to build a chicken coop/run that is 100% predator proof. Then let them free range when you can.

BA

 

[BayCityBabe]

Thanks, everyone. I ordered some netting. I just want them to be safe during daylight hours. I have noticed hawks hunting at all times of the day. At night, they will be in the coop, which is an old brick out-building -an absolute bunker!