Question about the top of the chicken run

[willowandthyme]

Our chicken run is roughly 14 feet X 14 feet with the coop inside it. Our chickens are about 2 months old and just starting to figure out flying and escaping lol. With the coop being so big we're trying to figure out how to keep them from getting out without using mesh all over (expensive and it will sag in the middle). Someone had mentioned a strong string or strong fishing line run between the posts with some sort of marker so they don't run into it.
I have clipped the two worst offenders wings but it doesn't seem to have the intended effect.
Does anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!

 

[katekearby]

i got some garden bird netting, cheap and sturdy , and propped it up in the middle with a post, think the 15x20' piece was like $5 at home depot.

 

[katekearby]

oh, my fencing is over 5' tall too, mine have never tried to fly very hi? I put that netting up to keep the wild birds and hawks out.

 

[jetdog]

Our chicken run is roughly 14 feet X 14 feet with the coop inside it.  Our chickens are about 2 months old and just starting to figure out flying and escaping lol.  With the coop being so big we're trying to figure out how to keep them from getting out without using mesh all over (expensive and it will sag in the middle).  Someone had mentioned a strong string or strong fishing line run between the posts with some sort of marker so they don't run into it.  
I have clipped the two worst offenders wings but it doesn't seem to have the intended effect.
Does anyone have any ideas? 
Thanks!

I saw a video on YouTube where they used a 4x4 with a bucket on the top to prevent the netting from ripping, they cut it to length and stood it up with the netting on top, seems like a simple enough solution.

 

[katekearby]

I noticed the very large free range farm near us props up acres of netting like this.

 

[willowandthyme]

the same type of netting you put over your blueberries to keep birds out? That's genius!!!! Thank you!

 

[katekearby]

yes that's what i got. figure even if i have to replace it more often it's pretty cheap, wish they made it in larger one piece sizes but even still.

 

[Red-Stars-in-RI]

My plan for my run (smaller than yours) is to run high tensile wire across the top of the run, then put chicken wire on that. I'm hoping the wire will keep the chicken wire from sagging, and the wire will better keep out predators than lighter materials.

 

[Pinkaboo]

My plan for my run (smaller than yours) is to run high tensile wire across the top of the run, then put chicken wire on that. I'm hoping the wire will keep the chicken wire from sagging, and the wire will better keep out predators than lighter materials.

I have a 10x20 ft chicken run

Its 7ft high, neighbours keep asking if I'm keeping ostriches

I've just covered mine with 8 cm holes chicken wire its not too heavy and hasn't made the frame bow

I feel that because its so high I should do them a split level area!