Chicken coop netting

Why chicken coop netting matters more than you think

When folks visit my place, they usually notice the hens first, then the eggs, then they stare up and say, “What’s that stuff over the run?” That “stuff” is chicken coop netting, and it’s the reason they still see hens instead of an empty yard.

I learned the hard way. Years back a hawk slipped in between a couple of old boards on top of my run. By the time I got there, one hen was gone and the rest were screaming and piled in a corner. I stood there, mad at that hawk, then realized I should mostly be mad at myself. I’d skimped on proper netting because I thought, “Ah, they’ll be fine.” Famous last words.

Good chicken coop netting does three big jobs for you:

• Stops aerial predators like hawks, owls, and eagles from dropping in for dinner.
• Keeps your flock contained so you’re not chasing escape artists through the neighbor’s yard.
• Shapes the flock’s routine so they feel secure and settle into steady laying.

Once I tightened up my setup with solid chicken coop netting, the screaming stopped, the wandering stopped, and the egg basket filled up again. Hens that feel safe act different. They spread out, scratch around calmly, and talk softly instead of yelling their heads off at every shadow.

Types of chicken coop netting and when to use each

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to chicken coop netting. What works for a backyard in town is different from what I need out in coyote and hawk country. Here’s how I think about it after a few decades of trial and error (and some creative cussing along the way).

1. Overhead bird netting

This is the stuff that looks like a fine mesh or net you stretch over the top of your run. It’s light, flexible, and designed mainly to stop hawks and other aerial hunters.

I like overhead netting for:

• Backyard runs where hawks are the main trouble.
• Portable pens that you move around the yard.
• Bigger flocks that need a wide, covered area without heavy lumber.

My tip: look for netting that doesn’t sag like an old hammock after one season. Good chicken coop netting should handle sun, wind, and a bit of snow without turning into a tangled bird trap.

2. Poultry fencing and side netting

Side netting or poultry fencing runs around the perimeter of your coop or yard. It keeps hens in and a lot of trouble out.

Around my place, I use wire or heavier netting on the sides where ground predators test the fence. If your hens love to fly, taller side netting helps keep them where they belong. I had one hen, Betty, who thought she was a goose. Side netting cured that little fantasy.

3. Electric poultry netting

Electric poultry netting is a different beast. The netting is also the fence, and it delivers a zap to anything that pushes it. I use it for rotational grazing when I want to move the hens through pasture.

It’s not for everyone, but if you have real predator pressure and some space, electric netting combined with sturdy chicken coop netting for overhead cover is about as close to a fortress as you’ll get without a guard dog and a night watchman.

Side netting and overhead cover work together to keep curious hens in and trouble out.

Think about your predators first, then choose the chicken coop netting that matches your reality.

Predators and chicken coop netting: building a real defense

Before you choose chicken coop netting, you need to know who you’re up against. I don’t care if you’re in town or way out in the sticks, something wants to snack on your hens.

Around my farm, the usual suspects look like this:

• From the sky: hawks, owls, sometimes eagles.
• From the ground: foxes, raccoons, neighborhood dogs, coyotes.
• From underneath: rats, weasels, and the occasional digging fox.

Chicken coop netting is mostly a top and side solution, but when you use it with good fencing and a decent coop, you close up the easy doors predators love.

One fall, a young hawk spent three days circling my run, looking for a weak spot. He bounced off the netting twice and finally gave up. Meanwhile, my hens just glanced up and went back to scratching like they were watching a clumsy neighbor on a ladder.

How to choose the right chicken coop netting for your yard

When I help neighbors pick chicken coop netting, I walk them through three simple questions. You can do the same from your back step with a cup of coffee in your hand.

1. What are your top threats?

Stand in your yard and think about what you’ve seen or heard:

• Hawks circling or sitting on fence posts?
• Fox tracks or coyotes howling at night?
• Raccoons tipping trash cans or showing up on cameras?
• Neighborhood dogs that treat fences like suggestions?

If it’s mostly birds of prey, overhead chicken coop netting is your first priority. If it’s ground predators, give more focus to strong side fencing plus decent netting on top.

2. How big is your run?

Bigger runs need netting that stretches well without sagging. Smaller backyard runs can work with lighter netting, as long as you anchor it right.

I try to plan so I don’t have to stretch netting to its limit. A little extra gives you room to pull it snug and still have some strength left.

3. How much time do you want to spend fiddling with it?

Some chicken coop netting is almost “set it and forget it.” Other types need more checking, especially if you get heavy snow or strong wind.

I tell folks plainly: if you know you won’t get out there often, pick the tougher, less fussy option. Future-you will be thankful when you’re inside by the woodstove instead of cursing at a tangle of net in the dark.

Setting up chicken coop netting: step-by-step from my farm

Let me walk you through how I set up chicken coop netting here. You can copy this, shrink it down for a backyard, or scale it up for more birds.

Step 1 – Plan your posts and anchor points

First, I mark the corners of the run and any spots where I’ll need extra support, like the middle of a long span. Posts don’t have to be pretty, but they need to be sturdy. A sagging net makes great snow pockets and lousy protection.

Step 2 – Attach the first edge tight

I fix one edge of the chicken coop netting to a solid anchor: the coop roof, a strong board, or a main post. I pull it snug and attach every foot or so. That first edge is your backbone.

Step 3 – Stretch and secure the opposite side

Then I walk the net across to the opposite posts, pulling it firm but not so tight that it tears when wind hits it. I like a little give, but no droopy pockets. Think drum skin, not trampoline.

Step 4 – Tie down the sides and corners

I use zip ties, strong twine, or clips to secure the sides to posts or fencing. Any gap big enough for a determined raccoon or a curious pullet will be used, trust me.

Step 5 – Walk the perimeter like a fox

When I’m done, I step back and walk around the run like I’m the problem. I look for loose corners, holes, or spots where the net rubs sharp edges. Fix it now or fix it later with fewer chickens. Your choice.

A little planning before you stretch your chicken coop netting saves you many repairs down the road.

Tight, well-supported netting means less sagging, fewer gaps, and calmer hens underneath.

First time I did it this way, I remember thinking, “This is overkill.” Then a storm rolled through, branches came down, and my netting held. Lost a wheelbarrow and one old hat, but not a single hen.

Keeping egg-laying hens happy under chicken coop netting

Netting isn’t just about safety. It also shapes how your layers live every day. Safe hens are confident hens, and confident hens fill your egg basket.

Here’s how I use chicken coop netting to keep my girls happy and laying strong.

Give them space, even under cover

Don’t let the netting tempt you to cram too many hens into a tiny run. I like at least 10 square feet of outdoor space per hen, more if I can swing it. Crowded hens pick at each other, yell a lot, and lay less. Kind of like people in a long line at the DMV.

Provide shade and shelter

Chicken coop netting on its own doesn’t block much sun. I hang shade cloth, old tarps, or leafy branches over parts of the run so the hens can choose sun or shade.

On hot afternoons, my best layers sit in the dappled shade, dust bathe, and look like they’re at the spa. Those same hens keep laying straight through the heat waves.

Keep things interesting under the net

A run with good netting but nothing to do is like a safe, boring classroom. I toss in:

• Logs or stumps for perching.
• Dust bathing spots with dry soil and a bit of wood ash.
• Scraps of greens or a shovel of compost for scratching.

The netting overhead keeps them feeling secure while they explore. Busy hens don’t pick feathers, and that means less drama and better laying.

A safe, interesting run under good chicken coop netting keeps layers calm, social, and productive.

Maintenance tips: making chicken coop netting last

Chicken coop netting doesn’t need to be babied, but a little care keeps it working year after year. Here’s what I do through the seasons.

Regular checks

Once a month, usually on a Sunday afternoon, I stroll the perimeter with a mug in hand and look for:

• Loose or broken ties.
• Small tears just starting.
• Sagging spots that collect leaves or snow.

Small repairs take five minutes. Ignored, they turn into big openings. Predators are very good at spotting the one thing you meant to fix “later.”

Weather and snow

In areas with heavy snow, I either:

• Angle the netting so snow slides off, or
• Brush it off with a broom during a storm.

One winter I didn’t bother, and I ended up cutting myself out of a frozen net igloo. Learned that lesson quick.

Sun and wear

Sun eats some plastics over time. If you see the netting turning chalky, brittle, or breaking easily, it’s time to refresh it. I’d rather replace worn chicken coop netting in calm weather than after a midnight predator visit.

Quick monthly checks and small fixes keep your chicken coop netting strong through every season.

Real-world mistakes I made with chicken coop netting (so you don’t have to)

I’ve been at this long enough to collect a nice little pile of “Don’t do what I did” stories. Here are a few greatest hits from my chicken coop netting adventures.

Mistake 1 – Leaving gaps “just for now”

Once I left a six-inch gap where the netting didn’t quite reach the fence. It was late, I was tired, and I told myself I’d fix it in the morning. A raccoon found it before sunrise. Lost a hen and a bit of pride that night.

Mistake 2 – Using netting that was hard to see

I tried a nearly invisible net once. The hawks saw it fine, but my kids didn’t. They walked right through it and dragged half the run down. Now I make sure the chicken coop netting is visible enough that humans can respect it.

Mistake 3 – Skipping support in the middle

Early on, I stretched a wide piece of net without a center support. First wet snow gave me a lovely sagging bathtub full of slush right over the feeder. Now, anything wider than a small run gets at least one center line or support pole.

A thoughtful layout with fewer “I’ll fix it later” gaps makes your coop feel calm and secure.

FAQ about chicken coop netting