6 Best Poultry Netting for Predator Protection

There’s nothing worse than that sinking feeling you get when you walk out to the coop and something is wrong. A predator strike is a gut punch, turning your peaceful hobby into a source of stress and loss. The single most important investment you can make after the coop itself is a secure run, and the right netting is the heart of that system.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Choosing Netting: Key Predator-Proof Factors

The first decision you face is electric versus non-electric. An electric net is an active deterrent; it delivers a sharp, memorable shock that teaches predators like raccoons, foxes, and coyotes to stay far away. A non-electric fence is a physical barrier only, relying on its strength and height to keep your flock in and threats out.

The choice depends entirely on your predator pressure. If you’re dealing with persistent, clever predators like raccoons or foxes, an electric fence is almost non-negotiable. For keeping chickens contained in an area with low predator risk, a durable non-electric fence might be enough. Don’t underestimate predators; a flimsy barrier is just a minor inconvenience to a hungry animal.

Beyond the power source, look closely at the details. The size of the openings matters tremendously.

• Small openings at the bottom: This is critical for stopping smaller predators like weasels or raccoons from squeezing through.
• Overall height: A 48-inch fence is a good standard. It’s tall enough to discourage most jumpers and prevent chickens from easily flying over.
• Post quality: Look for double-spiked posts. They provide much better stability in soft or uneven ground, preventing the sagging that creates an easy entry point for diggers.

Finally, consider how you plan to use it. If you’re rotating your flock through different pastures to improve soil and give them fresh forage, a lightweight, easy-to-move system is a priority. For a semi-permanent run attached to a coop, stability and durability become more important than portability.

Premier 1 PoultryNet Plus for Top Protection

When it comes to electric netting, Premier 1 is a name you hear for a reason. Their PoultryNet Plus is the standard by which many others are judged. Its key feature is the tighter mesh spacing at the bottom of the fence, which is specifically designed to stop smaller, more agile predators from slipping through.

The system is built for real-world farm conditions. The double-spiked posts sink securely into the ground, keeping the fence taut even on slight slopes. This tension is crucial for maintaining the electrical charge and preventing predators from simply pushing under it. While it’s one of the more expensive options, you’re paying for reliability and a design that has been refined over years of use.

Starkline Electric Netting: A Versatile Option

Starkline offers a very competitive alternative to the bigger names, often at a slightly more accessible price point. Their netting provides a solid deterrent with good conductivity and durable materials. It’s an excellent choice for rotational grazing or for setting up temporary paddocks to protect a specific garden area from your flock.

What makes Starkline a great versatile option is its balance of performance and cost. It allows a hobby farmer to scale up their protected pasture space without the top-tier investment. It works well for containing chickens, ducks, and geese while providing a formidable defense against common ground predators. Just be sure to pair it with a sufficiently powerful energizer to get the job done.

RentACoop’s All-in-One Poultry Fencing Kit

If you’re just starting out, the sheer number of components can be overwhelming. RentACoop simplifies this with an all-in-one kit that includes the netting, posts, and often a solar-powered energizer. This "fence in a box" approach removes the guesswork of matching components.

This is the perfect solution for someone with a small backyard flock who needs a secure, movable run without becoming an expert on electric fencing. The convenience is the main selling point. While it might not have the heavy-duty specs of more specialized brands, it provides a very effective and user-friendly barrier for typical suburban and rural settings.

Kencove Electric Netting for Larger Pastures

For those managing larger flocks or looking to fence in a more significant piece of land, Kencove is a go-to. Their products are geared toward serious agricultural use, meaning they are built for durability and performance over large areas. Their netting often comes in longer rolls and is designed to integrate with more powerful fence energizers.

This is a step up from the all-in-one kits. Choosing Kencove means you are likely building a semi-permanent or large-scale rotational grazing system. The quality is excellent, but it requires a bit more knowledge to select the right energizer and grounding system to power a longer fence line effectively. It’s the right choice when you’ve moved beyond a simple backyard setup.

Tenax Poultry Fence: A Durable Non-Electric Net

Not everyone wants or needs an electric fence. Tenax offers a heavy-duty plastic poultry fence that serves as a strong physical barrier. It’s lightweight, easy to install with simple T-posts, and won’t short out on tall grass. This makes it a great option for daytime-only runs or in areas where electric fencing isn’t practical, like around young children.

However, you must be realistic about its limitations. A non-electric fence will not stop a determined predator. A raccoon can climb it, and a fox or coyote can dig under it. To make it truly predator-proof, you must bury an apron of the fence or hardware cloth extending outward from the base to foil diggers. It’s best used in combination with a secure coop where the flock is locked up tight every night.

YARDGARD Hardware Cloth for a Permanent Run

For the ultimate in predator protection, you have to move beyond flexible netting to welded wire hardware cloth. This isn’t for a movable pasture; this is for building a permanent, impenetrable fortress of a run. Using 1/2-inch or 1/4-inch hardware cloth, you can construct a run that will stop every conceivable predator, from snakes and weasels to raccoons and hawks.

Building with hardware cloth is a labor-intensive project. It involves a sturdy wooden frame to which you securely attach the wire mesh on all sides, including the top to create a roof. You must also bury a 12-to-24-inch "apron" of the cloth underground around the entire perimeter to prevent digging. It’s a significant upfront investment in time and materials, but it provides absolute peace of mind.

Installation Tips for a Predator-Proof Seal

The best netting in the world is useless if it’s installed poorly. A sagging, poorly grounded fence is an open invitation to predators. Your first step should always be to mow the fenceline. Tall, wet grass will drain the energy from an electric fence, reducing its shock and potentially shorting it out completely.

For electric nets, a proper ground is non-negotiable. The shock a predator feels is the electricity traveling from the fence, through its body, and to the ground rod. Use the number of ground rods recommended by your energizer’s manufacturer—skimping here is a common and critical mistake. Pound them deep into the soil, preferably in a spot that stays damp.

Make sure the bottom line of the netting is in close contact with the ground. Use extra stakes to pin it down in any dips or low spots. A gap of just a few inches is all a raccoon or fox needs to get a head start on pushing underneath. Walk your fence line regularly to check for sagging spots or vegetation growth. A fence is not a one-time setup; it’s a system that requires maintenance.

Ultimately, the best poultry netting is the one that fits your specific predator pressure, property layout, and management style. Whether it’s a mobile electric net for rotational grazing or a permanent hardware cloth fortress, the goal is the same: to let your birds live safely and let you sleep soundly. A secure fence is the foundation of responsible and enjoyable poultry keeping.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is electric poultry netting?

Electric poultry netting is a prefabricated fence made of conductive horizontal plastic strands and built-in step-in posts that carries a pulsating electrical charge. Powered by a solar or plug-in fence energizer, this netting delivers a brief, harmless shock between 3,000 and 5,000 volts. The shock deters ground predators like foxes, coyotes, and stray dogs when they touch the fence. Homesteaders commonly use it for rotational grazing and mobile chicken tractors.

What mesh size poultry netting stops weasels and snakes?

A half-inch or one-quarter-inch mesh size is required to reliably stop small predators such as weasels, rats, and venomous snakes from squeezing into a coop. Standard two-inch poultry netting contains holes large enough for a small weasel to enter and kill an entire flock. Selecting welded wire with half-inch openings blocks juvenile raccoons reaching through the fence. Secure this fine mesh along the lower two feet of your run for optimal coverage.

How do I install poultry netting to stop digging predators?

Burying poultry netting in a predator apron prevents digging animals like foxes, dogs, and badgers from tunneling underneath your chicken run. Dig a trench six to twelve inches deep around the run perimeter, or lay twelve to eighteen inches of wire flat on the ground extending outward from the base. Fasten this apron to the upright fence with galvanized cage rings or zip ties, then pin it down with heavy metal landscape staples before covering it with soil.

How high should poultry netting be to protect chickens from coyotes?

Poultry netting must stand at least five to six feet tall to stop coyotes and red foxes from jumping directly into the enclosure. Coyotes can easily clear a four-foot fence from a stationary jump if they have solid footing. If you cannot install netting taller than four feet, add an outward-facing 45-degree overhang or run an energized wire along the top line to prevent predators from climbing or clearing the barrier.

Is hardware cloth or hex poultry netting better for predator protection?

Hardware cloth provides substantially better predator protection than traditional hexagonal poultry netting because its thick, welded steel wire cannot be chewed through or torn apart. Raccoons, large dogs, and coyotes can rip through thin, twisted 20-gauge hex wire with their teeth and claws. Hexagonal wire is intended solely to contain chickens, whereas 19-gauge galvanized hardware cloth creates a secure barrier capable of resisting determined nocturnal attacks.

How much does electric poultry netting cost per 100 feet?

Standard electric poultry netting costs between 120 and 220 dollars per 100-foot roll, depending on fence height, post quality, and strand density. Taller 48-inch nets with double-spiked fiberglass posts fall toward the higher end of that price range. Setting up a complete system also requires purchasing a fence energizer, grounding rod, and lightning arrestor, which adds another 100 to 250 dollars to your total initial setup budget.

Why is my electric poultry netting losing voltage after rain?

Wet vegetation touching the bottom strands of electric poultry netting causes the electrical current to bleed into the wet soil, dropping fence voltage significantly. Tall wet grass, weeds, and fallen wet branches create grounding pathways that weaken the pulse. Clear all vegetation along the fence line using a string trimmer or weed barrier fabric, and verify that your grounding rod is driven at least three feet deep into moist soil to restore full operating voltage.

Is plastic poultry netting safe to use against aggressive night predators?

Plastic poultry netting is not safe against aggressive night predators because rats, raccoons, and foxes can chew through plastic mesh in minutes. Plastic netting serves only as an overhead barrier to deter airborne hawks and owls or as temporary daytime visual fencing. Nighttime security demands heavy 16-gauge or 19-gauge galvanized metal wire with solid latches, as plastic provides zero physical resistance against determined predators with sharp teeth.