the netting on our run fell apart...what about gift ribbon for it?

[FarmingCityGirl]

An ice storm ruined the netting we had covering our run. I had been planning on taking it down anyway-I knew winter would destroy it and it wasn't really deterring hawks. It's time to think of something new. I don't want to buy wire to use for it, although that seems to be the best choice. Does anyone have any experience with ribbon? Like gift wrapping ribbon...does it hold up? I'd like to make a grid pattern with it, to keep predators out, and I could use whatever color I want.

 

[Kelsie2290]

How big is your run? Could you use deer netting, it is usually pretty cheap, like $20 for 7 x 100 foot.

 

[drumstick diva]

I don't think gift ribbon is meant to be used outdoors - tho the colors might repulse hawks, I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I use deer netting and I've seen it deter hawks. Saw one dive for one of my girls and it hit the brakes mid air and swooped back up fast when it saw the netting. However, if there's a heavy snow, the stuff is toast. Probably exactly what happened to your netting.

I don't think ribbon would hold up to the weather, it's not made for outdoor use. Plus it would be a lot of work to string. If you want to try stringing a grid pattern, I think I'd use something like clothes line string/wire that's made to be outside and could handle the weather better. I've seen it in white and green.

 

[FarmingCityGirl]

How big is your run? Could you use deer netting, it is usually pretty cheap, like $20 for 7 x 100 foot.

It's about30X30. We had deer netting up. It kept opening up at seams. A seagull had gotten in there (that was pretty funny watching the chickens freak out over that while the seagull frantically tried to get out). And we've had a hawk perched on one of the posts, just eyeing the whole run...I don't know how smart hawks are, but it sounds like it was looking for an opening. From my understanding, having brightly colored wire deters them from even coming down, whereas the deer netting blends in so much from above that they come down to take a better look. I just didn't want to buy wire just for that purpose...wire is pretty expensive and I'll need a lot of it.

 

[FarmingCityGirl]

I use deer netting and I've seen it deter hawks. Saw one dive for one of my girls and it hit the brakes mid air and swooped back up fast when it saw the netting. However, if there's a heavy snow, the stuff is toast. Probably exactly what happened to your netting.

I don't think ribbon would hold up to the weather, it's not made for outdoor use. Plus it would be a lot of work to string. If you want to try stringing a grid pattern, I think I'd use something like clothes line string/wire that's made to be outside and could handle the weather better. I've seen it in white and green.

Oooh, I never thought of clothesline. That's a good idea. I wonder how expensive it'd be.