What can you put on the top of a 4' fence to keep birds in?

[yogifink]

We have a 4 foot fence around our chicken yard and added a few feet of bird netting after two of our hens jumped the fence and fell into the jaws of our neighbors dog.

We went about it in 2 different ways; First, along our neighbors yard, we added an angled piece to the top of each post and then draped the angle pieces with bird netting. Kind of like how a prision has barbed wire facing into the prision to keep inmates from climbing over. This worked like a charm and is 'low profile.' The second way, on the garden side of the run, I used some 8 foot pieces of bamboo (free), and attached them to the existing fence posts (vertically). On the bamboo, I again used bird netting, tied to each post, for the length of the fence. This one blended in with the landscape so well, that my DW did not even notice that I extended the heigth until she tried to hand me something over the fence!

 

[yogifink]

 

[Primo]

It's all about the top rail, as someone else posted, I also have 4' field fence around my yard. They make no attempts to get over it, however they have no problem flying up on top of the run which is 5' with a top rail. The simplest solution is to run a wire about 6" above the top rail.

 

[yogifink]

Here is a few more ideas for you:



This is what primo is talking about. Probably the simplest and cheapest way to go about it if you have wooden posts. Fasten a small piece of wood to each post and then run a wire about 6" above the top rail of the fence. As you can see, I used twine instead of wire, its what I had and is cheap. One day I'll get around to putting a hole in each piece and running a wire through them, but for now, this works.






This is what I mentioned previously, a few long stakes fastened to each post, with bird netting hung from the stakes. The netting is so thin, that the camera won't pick it up, but its there! If you look really close at the picture below on the right side, you can see it very faintly.








EDIT: Each has its advantage and disadvantage. My previous post, the one with the angle pieces, is more effective than the single wire, but not as low key or as appealing. This we used along our neighbors fence. The bird netting wall is the most effective and adds a good 4 feet to the height of the fence, but is not sexy by any means. We used this one between the coop and the garden where no one can see it. The wire/rope just above the top rail, is effective, but an overly ambitious bird can still get over it. Used this one on the side of the run the faces our yard, its is the best looking.

 

[Daniale]

Great suggestions; thank you! I have a 5 foot fence and have trouble keeping my. Girls in. Have tried both wings and added miles of chicken wire, but am so glad to see other options. I am thinking of totally enclosing and doing a "chunnel"!

 

[sepaditty1]

I've got 1 side left to do. Just adding a row of hardware cloth above the existing 4' fence. They wander all over the yard. Since I'm only getting 1 egg a day from 5 hens, I'd say they're hiding them from me. Tomorrow they will have no choice but to stay in the pen to lay.

 

[Clarebaxter]

Going to add today!