The Ultimate Guide to Netting for Chicken Coops
Whether you are just getting started with raising poultry or you are looking to upgrade your backyard flock’s home, choosing the right netting for your chicken coop is of paramount importance. But let’s face it - finding the right netting for your project is all but easy.
After all, today, there are endless options on the market, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Fortunately, with the right tips and tricks, you can find the perfect netting for your coop without having to compromise on budget or quality.
In this guide by Roosty's, we’ll cover all you need to know about selecting, installing, and caring for your chicken coop netting. Ready to get started? Let’s dive in.
Choosing the Right Netting for Your Chicken Coop
When choosing the best type of netting for your coop, you’ll have to consider a range of factors, including:
- The size of your coop
- The shape of your enclosure, especially if custom-made
- The number of chickens
- The type of predators and pests in the area
- Your budget
With an increasing number of netting options on the market, understanding how to meet the needs of your coop and of your hens can help you make a well-informed choice.
Benefits of Using Bird Netting in Your Chicken Coop
Regardless of whether you’ve chosen to install chainlink netting, electric fencing, or chicken wire, the chances are that you’ll also be dealing with aerial attacks by predators such as eagles, hawks, and owls - all of which would try to eat your precious hens if given the chance!
Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to keep your chickens safe: bird netting.
Here are some of the benefits of this option that makes it a must-have addition to your coop!
Protecting Your Chickens
As seen above, one of the greatest benefits of an aviary net for chicken coops is the level of protection it provides. According to a study published in 2020 on the prevalence of predation in egg production, nearly 4% of the hens in organic and free-range flocks become victims of predators, especially common buzzards and northern goshawks. This loss translates into financial damages between EUR 5700 and EUR 6700 per flock.
Ultimately, installing aviary netting is a step that you should not overlook!
Creating a Better Living Environment For Your Chickens
Another important benefit of high-quality netting for your chicken coop is the fact that these installations can help you create a better living environment for your chickens - no matter whether you are running an organic farm or raising hens as pets!
Thanks to larger, more secure enclosures, your animals can roam freely and in all safety, thus gaining access to fresh air, clean water, sunshine, and fresh food.
Unparalleled Versatility for Your Custom Coop
If you have built a custom coop, the chances are that you’ve done so to accommodate the needs of your flock and work with the limitations of your grounds. Fortunately, you don’t need to compromise on the safety of your chickens! With the right fencing strategy - such as bird netting - you can create custom enclosures that offer protection on all sides - yes, even if you’ve created a uniquely shaped coop!
Cost Savings and Peace of Mind
With adequate bird netting, you can be sure that your chickens are safe at all times of day and night. Besides offering you incredible peace of mind, this can also offer significant financial benefits.
Firstly, your chickens will have immediate access to fresh grass, small animals, fruits, and vegetables, which can help you reduce the costs involved with feeding your flock. Additionally, without the fear of losing some of your precious animals to predators, you can safeguard your investment in poultry.
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How to Properly Install Netting in Your Chicken Coop
Now that you’ve selected the right netting for your chicken coop and you understand the benefits of installing bird netting, it is time to move on to action. When installing nets for chicken coops, your first port of call should always be a specialized professional.
However, if you are looking for some handy tips for installation, you can treasure the following ones:
- Take time to assess and plan the design of your coop
- Note down precise measurements and purchase adequate quantities of netting
- Prep the area by removing obstructions such as overhanging tree branches
- Instal posts (wooden or metal) or vertical support at an adequate distance from one another
- When attaching the net to the posts, stretch it so that it remains firm in all weather conditions. Poultry staples and cable ties can help you secure the netting
- To protect your chickens from all sides, dig the lower section of the net into the ground (which will help you keep burrowing predators out) and install overhead coverage.
Once your coop is completed, keep an eye on it to find signs of damage and spot inefficiencies. There’s always time to upgrade or improve your coop at a later stage!
Why Nets are Essential for Protecting Chicken Coops
Nets play a vital role in keeping predators out, including burrowing animals, birds, and larger mammals. The right netting for chicken coops can also help you safeguard your flock against bears and wolves, which can represent a threat in remote locations.
Installing overhead coverage can also protect your chickens from extreme weather events, including hail, heavy snow, and intense sunlight. Be sure to carefully consider the position and location of your coop to ensure that the netting is efficient in keeping your hens safe.
Different Types of Netting for Chicken Coops
When it comes to selecting the right bird netting for chicken coop you have more than one option to consider. These include:
- Standard chicken wire: chicken wire is one of the most common and affordable options to enclose your coop. Chicken wire - also known as poultry netting - is usually made of galvanized steel, and knotted to form hexagonal gaps. This form of netting provides protection against predators like raccoons and foxes, and it is suitable for most types of coops.
- Hardware cloth: This type of netting is usually made of galvanized stainless steel and braided to form squares or rectangles. It is more resistant than standard chicken wire and offers better protection against smaller predators, which could fit through larger-gauge wire.
- Aviary netting: Aviary netting encloses your coop from all sides, thus offering greater protection against flying predators like birds of prey.
- Electric poultry netting: If you have been struggling with keeping out predators, a great option to consider is electric netting. Although this alternative is usually more expensive and requires more upkeep, it effectively deters animals and may last for longer than standard fencing.
Other options include plastic safety netting - which is only suitable if you don’t have major problems with predators - and chainlink chicken fencing - which should be your go-to choice if you are dealing with predators like bears.
Tips for Maintaining and Cleaning Netting in Your Chicken Coop
No matter how well-built your chicken coop is, the chances are that you’ll need to clean it and upkeep it regularly.
Fortunately, if you’ve chosen high-quality materials and you've followed all the best practices for netting installation, this task won’t be too demanding.
Some critical tips to keep in mind to keep your chicken coop in the best shape include:
- Regularly inspect the netting for signs of damage and wear and tear
- Clean your netting with mild or natural detergents that won’t harm your chickens
- Address rust spots as soon as you notice them
- Beware of water and moisture damage
- Fix loose ends and secure spots that may grant predators an easy way in
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