We've got a small chicken coop and run, and a brand new flock of birds. These ladies are very prone to flying over the fence into the neighbor's yard, so, in order to keep them in the run, and also protect from predators, I want to cover their run with nylon netting. Our run is in the back corner of our yard, bordered on two sides by vinyl fencing. Is there some way to attach something like netting to a vinyl fence? Another option, but not one I would like to do, would be to build an interior wall against the two sides of vinyl so I could attach the netting to the wood. Any other suggestions?

Command hooks have an option that is rated for outdoor use. Maybe using some on the outside and hooking the netting into it? Just place the hooks upside-down and stretch the net across?

I use this set-up for keeping birds out of my garden, but it'd work for keeping birds in your chicken run.


The netting: 25'x50' with 1" Mesh (same link also has a 2.4" mesh)

10' t-post from Tractor supply pounded into the ground ~2'. Mostly green, but tops were reflective silver so I painted tops green.

Over top of fence post is a 1.25" x 1.25" PVC tee. I painted green to match fence post. A couple were snug fit over fence post so I hit the fence post lightly with a grinder to make it fit.

Zip tied the netting to the tee.

About every 6 to 6.5 feet I have the fence post and tee set-up.

So I've had chickens for almost 10 years and luckily to date I have never lost any to predators, but I have come close. Hopefully this will help you. For years I went by the rule of thumb that you use chicken wire for the entire run, and hardware cloth for the first couple feet from the ground, and buried in the ground going out a few feet.

The thought process is that most animals are at ground level and that the hardware cloth keeps them from reaching in and grabbing a bird (most notably with raccoons). The buried hardware cloth going out a couple feet underground deters any animals that might dig under the fence.

This worked great for years until about 6 months ago I had a weasel get into my run and attack my birds. Luckily I was still awake and was able to curb stomp it while it was biting one of their wings and it didn't kill any birds.

Long story short, the new rule is 1/2" hardware cloth around the entire run. This keeps any and all predators out. Weasels can sneak into anything that you could push a quarter through. Along with other small animals.

The fencing you have in now will let in a ton of predators and I highly recommend replacing it with hardware cloth.

If you have any questions let me know.

^^^^^ Agree with ryan.

I'd also spend the money and build a real roof on the run. Not only will it keep the predators out, it'll keep the sun, rain, and snow out as well.

It won’t help with the predators, but clipping the feather ends on one wing end is an option. It should prevent the flying. It’s how my grandparents did it and they just had a 4 foot chicken yard fence.

Bird netting way to go. We never had a problem with hawks for years on our chickens and then one day wife comes out to find a copper hawk eating one. So 9pm off to home depot and buy some. Kept hawks out and chickens in.

Thanks for everyone's input so far. To be clear, we're just looking to cover the run with netting, and my question is the best way to attach the netting to a vinyl fence, or am I better off building a wooden frame wall around the inside of the run to attach the netting to?

I suspect that your "vinyl fence" is vinyl covered wood, but either way I would think you can put some screw yes directly into the main posts. Like these:

https://www.amazon.com/YGAOHF-...s%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-8

If that doesn't seem solid, then drill a hole through and use an eye bolt with a washer and nut. Like these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H...81-df67fc737124&th=1

If the netting is of large enough mesh size, could you not just loop the netting over the vinyl fence post caps?

quote:

Originally posted by 4x5:
Thanks for everyone's input so far. To be clear, we're just looking to cover the run with netting, and my question is the best way to attach the netting to a vinyl fence, or am I better off building a wooden frame wall around the inside of the run to attach the netting to?

Wooden frame rail wall would be best. But as I mentioned, the only predators you'll keep out is flying ones. Any ground level predators will be able to get through.

Offer to haul away someone's truck cover shell and throw it up there.

Quick ,cheap and easy.

Heck
They might give YOU $20.00 to haul it away