Top netting for flight pens or crop netting for run

[chuckzoo]

I have an area that is 6' wide by about 20' long that I would like to turn into a run to put my two hens in. They have a secure coop to sleep in and I live in a suburb so don't have wild predators only the usual cats, squirrels, chipmunks and birds. I have been looking at flight pen netting and also crop netting for the run, but the sizes most companys sell are HUGE, 25'X 100'. Does anyone know where I can get smaller quantities? Any suggestions will be most welcome.

 

[scooter147]

1. I'll bet you a cold beverage you have predators you just don't see them because their nocturnial. Coons and possums are very common all over the US and in the suburbs.
2. Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and buy what they call deer netting. It's 7' x 100' and it runs about $10. I realize it's more then you need but has many uses. I have had mine up since 02/05 and still doing the job like a champ.

 

[ChooksChick]

You can find all sorts of sizes on ebay if you pick a seller and then look at their other items- waaaaaay cheaper than buying from the big sellers like TekSupply.

 

[ChooksChick]

AND: every other chickener in this area (and there are 5 on this block alone) has lost birds to neighborhood predators that come out at night. I make my chickens live in Fort Knox at night, so I've never lost one...except at lunchtime one day- to a hawk! I'm in the middle of a college town of 100,000 people...so...keep it tight and you won't find out the hard way.

 

[chuckzoo]

I should have mentioned that the space is between 3 fences - one solid 7' on 2 sides and the other is a "split" fence 6' where the fence boards are staggered on each side with openings of roughly 4" so I didn't want to have to put a hardware cloth fence over the staggered part and was looking for alternatives. Plus I wanted to have some cover over the top. I have looked at sports netting which would be easy to work with and has a breaking strength of 300lb, but yes something could chew threw it!

I looked at a baseball net which would cover the top but the shipping is almost as much as the product itself!

Another alternative would be the clear corrugated roofing but I am afraid it will trap too much heat.

 

[chickpuffs]

Hi there!
If the netting you want is just for the top of your run-to keep out hawks, etc.- we have an idea for you:
Fruit tree netting is available at nurseries and possibly at hardware stores, etc.
It is a durable nylon mesh designed to keep birds away from fruit.
We bought a 2 large packages at $14.- each [sizes come in S-M-L depending on tree].
Our run is roughly the size of yours.
We cut them into a few panels and lashed them together and to our fence with plastic tie straps at intervals, and nailed it with washers/grommets to our shed roof.
It also worked nicely around the apricot tree that grows up through our run. It is easy to work with.
We left a couple of feet draping over the fence and door as a protective apron from possible climbing predators and the more likely escapee-chicken.
I hope this helps!
Have fun!

p.s. someone on the forum suggested covering or partially covering my run* so that when it snows/rains, the chicks have a dry area... maybe this is something you could do while you're already working on it! [*tarp, wood, plexiglass...]