Will this work as a top cover for run?

[roseraye]

I have a great coup (8x12) and a large run (20x30). I have spent so much money on both and it would cost quite a bit more if I covered my run. I plan on keeping chicks up at night and feel they will be safe. I am worried about hawks during day. Has anyone ever stretched cord across their run. I am thinking about ever few inches. Does this make any sense and has anyone ever tried this. I am getting my chickens this week, they will be around 20 weeks old. I would appreciate your thoughts.
Roseraye

 

[lizareny]

Hi! I think it will work pretty good.
I know the amount of money you can go through getting an awesome set up for your birds.
To research the wing span of your local hawks will help you with spacing.....having the cord squares (is that the plan?) be smaller in diameter is the trick, right?
Many conservations do the same thing to keep babies safe from owls/hawks etc, but even so, a few persistent smarter or experienced aeriel predators can and will figure out how to 'drop' down in there. Nasty little things when they are hungry aren't they? Good Luck!!! It's your best plan if your pennies are pinched.

 

[jmunger]

We live in the mountains and have bobcat, coyote, hawks, raccoon, fox, weasels, and anything else that will climb or swoop. I found someone who was getting rid of heavy gauge chain link fencing. That is what covers and wraps our 12x12 yard. A year into this adventure and all is well. GOod Luck!

 

[lizareny]

We've had the most issues with local dogs...very annoying. The worst time was I had 11 fantastic choc Muscovy ducks, about 1.5 yrs old. They kept my yard nice, they were quiet, just great ducks. Took a German Shepherd approximately 45 seconds to kill all but one. It was a sad day and I was very very ticked. He had tried the week before, and we chased him off...but he came back.
The kids and I were screaming and trying to get him to stop, but he kept dodging us and would chomp a duck, run in a circle, chomp a duck, dart under the trampoline, chomp a duck...it was a massacre. 2 years later and I'm still holding a grudge....

 

[bakerjw]

I found bird netting 3/4" squares in a roll 14'x100' for $54.00. It probably isn't all that durable but there are other makes and styles out there that will last many years. When I get my next run finished I will go this route.

 

[lizareny]

Durable though, you're looking at wings hitting it for the most part. I think that's a great price 14 ft by 100 ft for 50 bucks? Yehaw baby! Where, where!??? Home Depot? Eagles R Us? Zoo Supply dot Com?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Durable though, you're looking at wings hitting it for the most part

You also have to think about possible snow or ice loads, depending on where you live​

 

[lizareny]

ahhh, yeah...Texas here, didn't cross my mind at all.....Thx, you're right!

 

[svalentine]

Our chicken run is covered with the netting you can get to cover trees to protect from birds and deer. It is supported with clothesline stretched every 4' in both directions. So far so good. We've seen hawks circling but no evidence of an attack. Not sure how long this will hold up to the elements. but it was fairly inexpensive.
I think our chickens best defense will be how "chicken" they are. They run for cover at the slightest sound. One night after dusk we went over to close the door. They were all huddled in one corner in a very agitated state. Our first reaction was "what tried to get them"
So the next day one of them made a clucking, honking sound just out of the blue. They all beelined it under the coop.
All's I can say is I think we've done all we can to prevent predator attacks.

 

[bakerjw]

No affiliation in any way.
http://absolutebirdcontrol.com/products/ultra-net-bird-netting

There is also this
http://www.lowes.com/pd_53046-13113...URL=/pl__0__s?newSearch=true$Ntt=deer$y=0$x=0

There was also this stuff which has much larger square for crows and the like. Couldn't find a price though.
http://www.birdbgone.com/products/heavy-duty-bird-netting?gclid=COGVmN_YzKECFQUgZwodVAOXyA