Last Updated on June 9, 2023 by Georgie Smith
When it comes to starting your own flock of chickens, it takes a little more than merely buying a few baby chicks and getting a permit or two from the local authorities. Indeed those two steps are important. However, you also need to make sure you can provide the right surroundings to keep your egg suppliers from flying the coop.
Chickens are just like all other birds that come in your yard. They all need water, food, and a protective cover to keep them happy and healthy. If at all possible, you need to create a healthy habitat that is beneficial for your chickens to be free-ranging.
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The perfect area should be a dwelling where there are plenty of plants for your birds to eat. With plenty of greenery around, that also provides shelter and a sense of well-being. When you are trying to be creative with your chicken’s habitat, think along the lines a creating a food forest.
The perfect food forest is a multi-layered and diverse combination of berry-laden vines, shrubs, groundcover, tree canopy and planting beds. You can design a food forest garden with any appealing style that would typically be in rural, suburbans, or urban backyards.
Chickens are great commodities for a backyard. They aerate yards, supply fertilizer and eggs and control pest. Moreover, if that is not enough, they are entertaining as well.
However, they also love to scratch and peck when foraging, and aren’t afraid to tear up a garden. In particular, fenced garden areas are their favorite arena when the plants are most sensitive and small.
It is best to use containers to prevent the chickens from having to reach high areas to get to the contents. Chicken coops, hen houses, or night shelters are a must for any flock.
Shelters such as these have the primary purposes to ward off unwelcome predators. If designed well, these structures can be colorful, fun, and an all-around attractive addition to any garden.
Thinking of Getting Started?
It may look like all fun and games until you have to learn all the tricks and trades of training chickens. However, here are a few tips for getting a happy, healthy flock of your own. It is much simpler to establish a flock by buying enough to get you started than it is to try to hatch your own.
Do not get discouraged, however, keep that plan in mind for later down the road as you will be amazed at the cycle of life. Much to many people’s surprise, it is not necessary to have a rooster unless you do decide to breed your own flock of chickens.
By not keeping a rooster around also helps with keeping the noise down that may annoy neighbors if you live in an urban setting. More regions forbid roosters than there are that allow them. It is essential to always check with your local laws before investing money into a flock.
Most suburban chicken-keepers prefer to hear a rooster crow every morning then not. The crowing rooster has been a symbol of country life for many generations.
One of the most critical steps to take before you bring your birds home is to make sure you have everything ready. A big mistake new chicken owners make bringing their young chickens home only to find out they were nowhere close to having the area the birds will learn to make their nesting area ready.
Whether you are reading books to know what you need or you learn from others, make sure you know what you should have and make it available. The one thing about chickens is that they will generally eat anything, including insects, grass, and table scraps. (You can find Best Backyard Chicken Books for Beginners here)
Although these may be handy, chickens need to be on a balanced diet to remain healthy. Be sure to bring home chicken feed that adds the necessary vitamins and minerals.
It is imperative to clean their living area tidy and clean to prevent nasty rodents and disease. Believe it or not, chicken poop makes fantastic fertilizer. However, it is incredibly high in nitrogen.
Manure is good for plants as long as you cure it for an extended time before using it as compose.
Your chickens can learn to do many things including returning to their coops when called. Make sure you spend time with your chickens so that they are tamer.
What Is All The Talk About Free-Range Chickens?
Eggs and the chickens they come from carry much weight around in the grocery store industry. It most stores you see all the products labeled organic, to free-range along with antibiotic-free and natural.
Labels such as these are getting confusing when you are trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Free-range chickens bring various health and numerous benefits but to be truly sure of just what benefits you need to search a little deeper behind the label to find the answers.
The first place to search is where the poultry comes from and is it a source you know you can trust? First, let’s define the true meaning of “free-range.” According to the U.S.D.A., free-range chickens are those who have the freedom to range around some access outdoors.
However, there are no stipulations as to how long they are allowed to roam outdoors and under what type of conditions. For example, your chickens can walk around on hot concrete every day and will still get a label of “Free Range” in the grocery stores.
The actual labels of cage-free and free-range can seem a bit confusing. Cage-free simply mean chickens raised for meat that was not in cages in warehouses. The name does not necessarily mean that is seeing life outdoors at all.
Making sure that you are buying eggs and meat from free-range chicken that is fed off of plants and grubs in a natural environment can be tricky. The best solution to ensure what you are buying, but from a local farmer who guarantees the chickens have the freedom to range on pastures for most of the day. (you can learn more at Free-Range Chicken Gardens: How to Create a Beautiful, Chicken-Friendly Yard)
How Can I Protect My Chickens From Predators?
Now that we have touched base on getting started let’s talk about how to protect your chickens from dangerous predators. What is more important than the chickens you buy and how you intend to use them, keeping them safe is even more vital.
Once you have read how many dangerous predators there are just looking for a chance to get to your chickens, their eggs, and baby chicks, you will see the full picture of why it is crucial to invest in electric poultry netting.
The truth is, all birds are going to be face-to-face with dangerous predators that lurk at any time of the day. Chicken keeping can be such a fantastic fun hobby for individuals of all ages. As long as you can provide your chickens with the right amount of space in your backyard or garden, you should have no issues garnishing fresh eggs.
Whether you are keeping your flock in the city, countryside, or somewhere in between, the most important this you can do for your birds to keep them safe is to do what it takes to protect them from predators.
What throws new owners off is they think they only need to worry about predators during the night. The truth is, predators are always lurking no matter if it is night or day. Moreover, they come in various sizes and shapes that can attack at ground level, from the ski by digging, or at ground level.
The type of predator that you should be concerned with depends on where you live and where the chicken pen is located. Therefore, it is vital that you do your investigation to learn what types of predators are in the area.
The reason for this is that predators each go for different types of food. Some prefer the eggs while some prefer the chicken and then there are the others that feed off of both. Common predators, you need to be concerned with are:
- Weasels
- Minks
- Fisher Cats
- Opossum
- Rats
- Skunks
- Snakes
- Fox
- Bears
You should watch out for stray dogs and feral cats as well. Free-ranging chickens are in most danger when they are roaming in the garden and the open yard. Making sure someone is outside as they are free to roam is good to deter attacks. However, some predators are brave and attack the chickens in their homes.
Types of Fencing for Chickens
Chicken Wire
Many people will tell you that the only thing that chicken wire is good for is to keep chickens in or out of an area. Moreover, for many reasons, they are right. A fox or dog could easily rip through the chicken wire in a short time.
Other dangers include baby chicks that have no problem squeezing through the hole of the wire. Chicken wire is a galvanized wire that has a design of 1 or 2” hexagonal holes. One tip is to never use chicken wire on the opening, windows, or the coop vent.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Simple to cut and work with
- Bendable
- Works great as garden fencing
Cons:
- Not completely Predator-proof
- Rusts reasonably quickly
Best Uses:
- To protect small plants
- Fence in a garden
- Cover the top of a day’s run
Poultry Netting
Poultry netting is a fencing material that is close to the chicken wire. The cloth is made of plastic holes that come in various sizes, and some call it deer or bird netting.
It is also low in cost and is best used around a garden or coop to protect your garden from bunnies, deer or chickens. Being that it is plastic, it is nowhere close to being safe from predators like the chicken wire mentioned above. However, it is an affordable measure to keep the top-of-the-day run covered.
Pros:
- Relatively inexpensive
- Very easy to cut and work with
- Lightweight
- Bendable
- Fairly durable
Cons:
- Not credible predator-proof
Best uses:
- To fence in a garden
- Protect bushes
- Cover the top of the run
1/2″ Welded Wire
The welded wire which is also called hardware cloth is a safe option for your run and coop. The wire is impervious to large predators such as foxes, coyotes, and dogs but will keep smaller predators such as mice, snakes, and weasels.
For vents and windows in your coop, you should stick with 1/2” welded wire unless you need to be even more cautious, then go with ¼.” Just keep in mind it takes F.O.R.E.V.E.R. to cut!
You can use 1/2” welded wire on all openings of the coop and along the bottom two or three feet of the chicken run. Having smaller openings along the bottom is an excellent practice to prevent raccoons from grabbing your birds. This will also keep unwanted snakes and mice to creep in to do damage to your eggs.
Pros:
- Keeps out all predators
Cons:
- Fairly expensive
- Takes time to cut
- It keeps its shape and is hard to bend
Best Uses:
- Coop vents and windows
- The lower part of the run
- Predator-proof nighttime pen
Chain Link
A chain link fence is an excellent option for a chicken run. If you can find an old dog run or someone wanting to sell what they no longer need, it will make a perfect area to keep your chickens in and predators out.
To ensure the safety of keeping predators out if you are not at home during the day is to wrap the lower two or three feet in smaller gauge wire. That will help solve the snake, mice, and weasels out while preventing raccoons from reaching the larger openings.
However, if you are battling larger predators such as bobcats, bears, coyotes, and mountain lions, you definitely need a chain-link fence.
Pros:
- Keeps larger predators out
Cons:
- Won’t keep smaller predators out, hard to reconfigure or change the size
Best Uses:
- Day run safety from large predators
Electric Fencing
If you are concerned about larger predators such as mountain lions, cougars, and bears, you should consider electric fencing. By structuring a double layer also work exceptionally well-meaning you would run the electrical fence around the run fencing creating a sort of “no man’s land.”
What this means is you would add electric fencing in this area to make it safer. Electric fencing is also useful for allowing your chickens to live free-range throughout the day and offer different locations to roam.
While electric fences, in the beginning, can be expensive, in the long run, it is worth the cost. The best protection for your chickens or any outdoor pet will be electric fencing. When you first setup your kit you will need to check it often to ensure that it is working, but, all in all, you cannot go wrong.
Pros:
- Provides an extra layer of security because it is great for keeping larger predators at bay
Cons:
- It is expensive
- Doesn’t protect your chickens from aerial predators
- The change caused by malfunctioning can take a while to set up
Best Uses:
- Extra security for day runs
- Large free-range with security
How does electric poultry netting work
As you can see, having an electric fence is your best all-around choice for keeping your chickens safe. The setup, however, can be as hard or easy as you wish and can consist of a single wire or netting.
The electric nets hands down are the most straightforward option and generally come in a kit whereas the other option, the wire fence is more tedious and costly.
When you are trying to decide on your setup here are some points to consider:
- The size of the area you want to enclose
- Whether it is a permanent area
- Whether you wish to rotate grass
- How close your setup will be to public areas
- The number of chickens you have
- How inconspicuous do you want it
- Ease of entry
- How exposed the area is
- Access to a mains power outlet
- The size and age of your chickens
- Ease of setup
- Ease of maintenance
- What you need to keep out/in
Whether you have a permanent fence for the netting to work the power gets its supply from either a primary outlet or a battery. If the primary outlet is the option, then you need to consult with a qualified electrician to do the installation.
The electric fence is usually the best option to keep larger animals within a specific boundary. If your concern is to keep animals such as the fox, electric poultry netting is the better option.
Most chicken keepers choose the electric cloth as a basic setup. The setup is quite simple and comes with an energizer, a battery, an earth stake, and netting.
The net itself should surround the chickens, their house, and everything. The kit will consist of an electrified nylon net that will come in many lengths that best fit your given situation.
The setup is perfect for keeping hybrids and larger breeds from wandering away as well as keeping visitors at bay. Moreover, it is easily moveable if you need to relocate your chickens.
Once you have the net in place and you accurately place the energizer, this converts the central power or battery to a short high pulse of electricity. The connection to the net is with of the cable connected to the battery and the other to the stake that is deep in the ground.
Next, the last part of the circuit takes place when the circuit is given to the animal when it comes in contact with the netting which causes the pulse to be felt through the animal’s feet where the animal feels the shock from the contractions of its muscle instead of the electricity itself.
Depending on the setting, you may have the ability to increase its frequency for the initial training to teach the chickens to respect the net. What this means is when they touch the net with their heads, the current will be felt through their feet, and this is how they feel the shock.
Where is the Best Place to Purchase the Electrical Netting Kit?
Several businesses offer electrical netting kits. However, Amazon is no doubt the world leader in providing the electrical netting kits you need. The best thing about making your purchases via Amazon is you not only have multiple sellers to choose from, but you also have a guarantee you need in the kits with their offered warranty.
Amazon is hands down the leader in providing stellar service along with money-back guarantees. Do you and your chickens a favor and make your purchases with Amazon.
The Following are the Top Leaders
| Picture | Product Name | Features |
|---|---|---|
 | Premier PoultryNet Electric Fence | – 48″H x 164L – Double Spiked – White |
 | Starkline PoultryNet Plus Starter Kit | – 48″ H x 100′ L – Double Spiked – Solar Energizer |
 | Powerfields Fence-Netting | – 40″ H x 164-Foot L – 0.25 joules per net – 5-Year Limited Warranty |
 | Premier Enhanced Electric Poultry Net Fence | – 42″H x 120’L – Green/Black – 12/42/3EG |
| YARDGARD Mesh Poultry Netting | – 2 Foot x 150 Foot – 20 Gauge – Mesh Size: 2″ |
Premier PoultryNet Electric Fence:
48″H x 164L, Double Spiked, White – Premier Top Seller: Premier 1 is a leader in fencing, and for a good reason. This premier fencing keeps the following:
- Sheep
- Goat
- Poultry
- Guard dogs
Keeps Out
- Coyotes
- Bears
- Coyotes
- Fox
What you get is 48” of the electrifiable prefabricated fence. It will arrive on your doorsteps as a complete roll with a built-in ground post built right in the fence/mesh. Setup is simple as It only takes around 15 minutes to complete the job.
The fencing is highly conductive with just 35 ohms. Very easy to set up as it takes approximately 15 minutes to set up. It comes with double spikes for extra security. Keep in mind that your fence must be adequately energized to be effective. Energizer is not included with this set.
Buy from Amazon
Starkline 42″ PoultryNet Plus Starter Kit:
When you purchase this set you get everything you need all in one package to keep your chickens in your backyard. It is 42” tall and 100’ double spiked black/green netting that makes a 25’ by 25’ enclosure. The Premier 1 fence comes with 12 horizontal (11 electrified) strands with its vertical strings every 3”.
If you plan on moving the fence weekly or even daily, this kit is perfect for you. The kit includes 100’ roll of 48-inch Poultry Net Plus the double spiked netting that is electric. Solar Intellishock 60 energizer that provides for Uspike grounded stake. Whether you are a newcomer or a seasoned farmer, this package is easy to install and durable.
Buy from Amazon
Powerfields P-89-O Electric 40″ Poultry and Goat Fence-Netting:
This package of Powefields netting measures 40” tall by 164’ long and has fitted round PVC post fitted every 12 1/2” along the netting. It requires an optional energizer with a power of .25 joules. You can choose from numerous Powerfield energizers that provide a power rating of 25 or higher.
Installation time is 15-20 minutes, and it comes with an installation manual with each box. Included are 12 straight strands each having 31/2” line spaces.15 round PVC line posts, 19 corner/anchor stakes, two tie-down cords, and a repair kit with brass connectors and poly wire to keep on hand to fix breaks.
Buy from Amazon
Premier Enhanced 42″ Electric Poultry Net Fence, Green/Black, 12/42/3EG:
Here is another product by the netting leaders. This fence by Premier is easy to install and takes around 15 minutes. It easily contains small livestock, ducks, and poultry just to name a few. It can keep animals such as coyotes, foxes, dogs, and raccoons at bay when fully charged. Energizer is sold separately.
The Premier is complete with PVC pre-fitted post into the fence every 10” intervals with 5” spikes on the bottom. It is recommended to use non-conductive posts at ends and corners.
Buy from Amazon
YARDGARD 308494B
2 Foot X 150-foot 2 Inch Mesh Poultry Netting is perfect for confining your rabbit, poultry, and other small animals.
Other favorite uses are soil erosion prevention, plant protection, crafts, and compost pile protection. The netting is made from flexible yet robust 20 gauge steel.
The wire is galvanized before its weaving for longer-lasting protection from erosion. Each roll is individually shrink-wrapped for extra protection.
You have just read the leading five nettings available for keeping your chickens and unwelcome visitors out.
Buy from Amazon
In The End
I hope this blog gives you a better outlook on chickens, predators and the best type of fencing you need to protect your flock. As you can see, there is more to learn as you get your new chicken investment going. Whether it be a permanent setting or you plan to move to different areas, make sure you buy the right fencing to keep your investment protected.
Frequently Asked Questions about poultry netting kit:
Q: Isn’t the power fence intended to be a temporary fence?
A: No! A High power fence is as permanent as barbed wire
Q: If the netting is too long how can I shorten it?
A: For the best results, roll your netting up on one end instead of cutting the net. Just be sure the grass does not grow through it. Put something plastic under the rolled-in to prevent it from unrolling.
Q: How can I stop sagging in areas?
A: When you first put your net up, if at all possible add an extra ground stake in place to put tension into the net. You can also use netting clips that will clasp the netting to your post and lift it off the ground. Place the ground wire, and you should see no more sagging.
Q: How do I determine how much fencing I will need?
A: First you need to determine the fence’s location.
The best design hinges on the following:
- Is the terrain flat?
- Will the fence go over hills, across ditches, or around curves?
- Is the fence line brushy or are there trees?
- Are the soils rocky, very soft, sandy, or firm?
Q: Will wind and snow cause the fence to malfunction?
A: If there are a moment of power outages your fence will not work as other sources shut off. If you can, try your best to check on your flock from time to time to ensure their safety.
