Run protection
Chicken Run Top Netting: Mesh Size, Supports, Sag and Snow
An open-topped run keeps chickens in but leaves them exposed to hawks and owls, and lets wild birds drop in to share feed. Netting is the lightest and cheapest way to close the top.
It also has limits. This guide covers which netting to buy, what it does and does not stop, and how to hang it so it does not sag into a hammock or collapse under snow.
Quick answer
- Netting over a run is mainly for aerial predators and wild birds. It does not stop raccoons, cats or climbing predators.
- Smaller mesh keeps out more wild birds; around 1 inch or smaller is common when sparrows and feed theft are the concern.
- Lightweight deer netting is often too flimsy for a run roof; look for heavier knotted or poly aviary netting rated for outdoor UV exposure.
- Support netting every few feet with tensioned cables, ridge poles or purlins so it does not sag.
- In snow country, plan to knock off or remove the netting in heavy snowfalls, or use a solid or wire roof.
What run netting actually stops
| Threat | Netting effective? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hawks and owls | Yes, if fully closed and taut | A sagging net lets a hawk reach birds below. |
| Wild birds stealing feed | Yes, with small mesh | Larger mesh lets sparrows through. |
| Chickens flying out | Yes | Light breeds clear tall fences easily. |
| Raccoons and cats | No | They climb and tear netting. Use wire walls and roof for night security. |
| Snakes and rodents | No | They come through walls and ground, not the top. |
Netting is a daytime run top. Chickens should still be locked in a secure coop at night. For a run that stays predator-proof around the clock, the roof needs to be wire or solid.
Types of netting
Knotted aviary netting
Heavier, stronger and more durable. Good for permanent run roofs.
Polypropylene bird / poultry netting
Light, inexpensive, comes in large rolls. Quality and UV resistance vary widely.
Deer or garden netting
Very light. Tears, tangles and sags. Usually a poor choice for a run roof.
Galvanized poultry wire
Self-supporting over short spans and longer-lasting, but heavier and harder to install overhead.
Check the product's mesh size, material, UV treatment and stated breaking strength. Avoid anything sold mainly as fruit-tree netting.
Choosing a mesh size
- About 2 inches: Keeps out hawks and owls and keeps chickens in. Small wild birds pass through.
- About 1 inch: A common middle ground; keeps out most larger wild birds.
- Smaller than 1 inch: Better against sparrows. Holds more snow and ice, and costs more.
Wild birds sharing feed and water is a disease concern for backyard flocks. If that is your main reason for netting, go smaller. Our bird flu and biosecurity guide explains why limiting wild bird contact matters.
Supporting netting so it does not sag
Sag is the main reason netting fails. A sagging net holds water and leaves, stretches further and gives hawks a place to land close to your hens.
- Frame the perimeter firmly. Netting should be fixed to top rails or a tensioned cable along every wall.
- Add mid-span support. Run tensioned wire rope or cable across the run every few feet, or add purlins or a ridge pole.
- Raise the centre. A centre post or ridge sheds rain and helps snow slide off.
- Fix with ties or hog rings. Zip ties are quick but may become brittle with sun exposure; stainless or UV-rated ties last longer.
- Close every edge. No gaps at corners, gates or where netting meets the coop.
Netting and snow
Netting catches snow, especially wet snow and small mesh. A light net can collapse into the run, or a heavy load can pull posts inward.
- Knock snow off from below with a broom during and after storms.
- Consider removing or rolling back netting during heavy-snow months, if hawk pressure allows.
- Use a pitched roof frame so snow slides off.
- Add a clear panel or tarp section over the busiest part of the run for a dry winter area.
Our article on run snow load covers frames and panels in more detail.
Inspection and lifespan
Check netting at least every season, and after storms. Look for tears, broken ties, sagging spans and tree branches resting on it. Sun exposure degrades most plastic netting over time; how long depends on the product and your climate, so check the maker's stated UV rating.
Also check for trapped wild birds. Larger mesh can catch a bird's head or wings; if you find that happening, smaller mesh or tighter tension may help.
Netting vs a wire or solid roof
| Netting | Hardware cloth / wire | Solid roof | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lowest | Higher | Highest |
| Stops aerial predators | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stops climbing predators | No | Yes | Yes |
| Snow handling | Poor to fair | Fair; needs strong frame | Good with slope |
| Keeps run dry | No | No | Yes |
For many keepers, a combination works: a solid or clear roof over part of the run and netting over the rest. Compare materials in hardware cloth vs chicken wire.
Measuring and ordering the right amount
Netting is sold by roll dimensions, and it is easy to come up short. Before ordering:
- Measure the top of the run, length and width, at the height the net will sit.
- Add for any peak. A raised centre or ridge adds width. Measure over the frame, not across the ground.
- Add overlap. Leave extra on every side to wrap over rails or fold down the walls, plus overlap where two pieces meet.
- Check whether listed sizes are stretched or relaxed. Some netting is sized when stretched and covers less when hung taut but not overstretched.
- Prefer one piece. Seams are weak points. If you must join pieces, overlap them and lace with UV-rated cord or ties at close intervals.
Installation tips that save frustration
- Unroll netting on a calm, dry day; it tangles in wind and snags on everything.
- Lay it out on the ground first and find the edges before lifting it.
- Get a helper. Two people on opposite sides keep it from catching on posts.
- Fix one long side first, then pull it across and fix the opposite side, then the ends.
- Pad sharp post tops or wire ends so they do not cut the net.
- Leave a way in: a gate frame tall enough to walk through, with the net fixed to it, not draped loose.
If hawks are your main problem, our guide to protecting chickens from hawks covers additional layers such as cover and shelter inside the run.
FAQ
Will netting keep raccoons out of a chicken run?
No. Raccoons climb and tear netting. Use wire or hardware cloth for walls and roof if you need night-time protection, and always lock birds in the coop at night.
What mesh size netting do I need for a chicken run?
About 2 inch mesh stops hawks and keeps chickens in. Around 1 inch or smaller also keeps out more wild birds that steal feed.
How do I stop run netting from sagging?
Fix it to firm perimeter rails or cables, add tensioned cable or purlins across the span every few feet, and raise the centre so it sheds rain.
How long does chicken run netting last?
It depends on the material, UV treatment, climate and snow load. Check the maker's stated UV rating, inspect it every season, and replace sections that have gone brittle, faded or torn.
Should I take run netting down in winter?
In heavy-snow areas many keepers clear it often or roll it back during snowy months, since snow can collapse it. Weigh that against local hawk pressure.
The bottom line
Netting is a cheap, effective way to stop hawks and wild birds over a daytime run, as long as it is tight, fully closed and properly supported. Choose a durable aviary netting rather than light garden netting, go smaller on mesh if wild birds are a problem, and plan for snow. For round-the-clock security against climbers, use wire for the roof and walls.