6 Best Combination Netting For Backyard Chickens That Prevent Common Issues

You’ve seen it happen after stringing up that cheap, plastic deer netting from the big-box store. One minute your flock is contentedly scratching, and the next a hen is halfway across the yard, having pushed right under the sagging bottom line. The right netting isn’t just a boundary; it’s a complete system designed to contain your birds and deter threats. Choosing the correct combination of features is the difference between a secure flock and a constant source of worry.

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Why Standard Netting Fails Backyard Flocks

Standard garden or deer netting is a false economy for chickens. It’s designed to be a visual deterrent for docile herbivores, not a physical barrier for clever birds and determined predators. Chickens are surprisingly strong and will persistently test a fence line, pushing their heads through gaps and working them wider until they can squeeze through.

The material itself is the primary point of failure. A raccoon can tear through thin plastic mesh in seconds, and even a determined squirrel can chew a hole large enough for a chicken to escape. These nets also lack structural integrity. They sag between posts, creating an easy ramp for predators to climb or a low point for a flighty hen to clear. Without a taut, secure bottom edge, chickens simply push underneath.

Combination netting solves these problems by integrating multiple functions into one product. It might combine a physical mesh with an electric current, use rigid, pre-set posts for tension, or feature a tighter, tougher weave at the bottom where pressure is greatest. This approach acknowledges that a chicken fence has to do three jobs at once: keep chickens in, keep ground predators out, and withstand the elements without constant adjustment.

Premier 1 PoultryNet Plus for Pasture Rotation

If you want to give your flock fresh ground regularly, portable electric netting is your best tool. Premier 1’s PoultryNet Plus is a classic for a reason: it’s designed for exactly this kind of active management. The system rolls up into a compact bundle, and the step-in posts are already built into the mesh, making setup and takedown a 15-minute job.

The real advantage is how it combines containment with deterrence. The physical net keeps the birds in a designated paddock, allowing them to forage without destroying your entire lawn. At the same time, the electric pulse teaches raccoons, foxes, and neighborhood dogs a memorable lesson: this fence is not to be touched. This psychological barrier is far more effective than a simple physical one.

However, it’s a system, not a standalone fence. You need a properly sized fence energizer and a good ground rod for it to be effective. You also have to manage vegetation, as tall, wet grass will short out the bottom line and drain your battery. Think of it as an active tool for rotational grazing, not a passive, set-it-and-forget-it perimeter.

Omlet Chicken Fencing Mk2: Predator Deterrence

For a more permanent or semi-permanent run, the Omlet system takes a different approach. It prioritizes structural rigidity and a design that’s physically difficult to defeat. Instead of relying on an electric charge, it uses strong, stiff poles with double spikes that you push deep into the ground for stability.

This fence excels at creating a secure, fixed enclosure attached to a coop, especially in a suburban setting where aesthetics matter. The adjustable gate is a clever feature, allowing you to create an access point wherever you need one. The netting is also designed to be anti-climb, and the taut setup makes it difficult for predators to push under. It’s a physical fortress rather than an electric deterrent.

The tradeoff is portability and cost. While you can move it, it’s a much more involved process than rolling up a lightweight electric net. It’s a premium product, and its effectiveness against digging predators like weasels or determined foxes may still require you to lay a skirt of hardware cloth around the perimeter. It’s the right choice when your priority is a sturdy, good-looking, and safe fixed run.

Starkline Electric Netting to Train Predators

Electric netting is fundamentally a training tool for wildlife. Starkline’s netting is highly effective in this role, creating a powerful psychological barrier that protects your flock long-term. When a fox or raccoon investigates the fence, it receives a short, sharp, and unforgettable shock.

The key is that predators learn by experience. After one or two encounters with a properly energized fence, most will give your coop a wide berth, viewing it as a hostile and dangerous area. This is why having a strong energizer and a good ground connection is non-negotiable; a weak shock is a nuisance, but a strong one is a lesson. Starkline offers various heights and post options, allowing you to match the fence to your specific predator pressure.

Remember that an electric fence is only on when it’s on. During a power outage or if your solar charger’s battery dies, it becomes just a physical net. Regular maintenance, like checking the voltage with a fence tester and keeping the bottom line clear of weeds, is essential to ensure it’s always teaching and never just suggesting.

RentACoop Fencing for High-Traffic Coop Areas

Not all fencing needs to surround a half-acre pasture. Sometimes you just need a small, tough, and reliable enclosure right outside the coop door. This is where RentACoop’s fencing shines. It’s built to handle the daily wear and tear of being a primary, high-traffic containment area.

Think of it as the coop’s mudroom. You can use it to create a small, secure pen for feeding and watering, preventing the chaos of birds escaping every time you open the main door. Its durable construction and easy-to-use gate system are designed for constant use. This is perfect for containing a flock while you’re cleaning the coop or for separating a broody hen.

Because it’s often sold in shorter lengths, it’s less suited for large-scale rotational grazing. Its strength is in creating small, manageable, and secure zones. This is a problem-solver for day-to-day flock management, not a broad-acre pasture solution.

Petween Portable Fence for Small Urban Yards

In a small urban or suburban backyard, your biggest fencing challenge might not be a fox, but your own prize-winning tomato plants. The Petween portable fence is a containment solution, not a predator barrier. It’s made of lightweight panels that connect together, making it incredibly easy to set up, reconfigure, or move.

This type of fence is perfect for creating a temporary "chicken tractor" on your lawn or sectioning off a part of the yard you want to protect. It’s a management tool for keeping your birds out of the garden, off the patio, or away from newly seeded grass. Because it’s low and light, it’s best for small, heavy breeds or very young birds that can’t fly well.

Do not mistake this for a security fence. A raccoon could climb it in an instant, and a dog could easily knock it over. It is strictly for supervised daytime use in a yard that is already secured by a perimeter fence. It solves the problem of internal property management, not external threats.

Kencove Power-Grip Net for Custom Enclosures

Your property isn’t a perfect square, and your chicken pasture shouldn’t have to be. Kencove’s Power-Grip netting is built for people who need to fence around obstacles like trees, boulders, or sheds. The system emphasizes strong corner posts and good tension to create a reliable enclosure on uneven or complex terrain.

This is the solution for homesteaders with wooded lots or oddly shaped fields. Where a standard pre-set post system might struggle with hills or curves, a component-based system like Kencove’s allows you to place heavy-duty posts at critical stress points and maintain a taut, effective fence line. You can build a secure run that follows the natural contours of your land.

The flexibility comes with a slightly steeper learning curve. You’ll need to think more like a traditional fence builder, planning your corners and tension points for maximum stability. It’s less of a "kit" and more of a "system," but for those with challenging terrain, that control is exactly what’s needed.

Matching Netting Height to Your Flock’s Breed

A common mistake is buying a fence without considering the flightiness of the flock. A 42-inch fence that easily contains a heavy, docile flock of Buff Orpingtons is little more than a minor inconvenience for a flock of sprightly White Leghorns. Your breed choice directly dictates your necessary fence height.

Here’s a simple framework:

• Heavy Breeds (Orpingtons, Brahmas, Wyandottes): These birds are poor fliers. A standard 42" or 48" net is almost always sufficient for containment. Their weight makes it difficult for them to achieve the lift needed to clear it.
• Medium/Dual-Purpose Breeds (Rhode Island Reds, Australorps, Barred Rocks): These birds are a mixed bag. Most will respect a 48" fence, but a determined or spooked individual might clear it. Wing clipping is a simple, temporary, and painless way to ensure they stay put.
• Light/Flighty Breeds (Leghorns, Anconas, Hamburgs): These breeds are natural foragers and excellent fliers. A standard 48" net is a suggestion, not a rule. For these birds, you must either invest in extra-tall netting (60" or more) or use netting to create a run with a top cover made of aviary netting.

Remember, containment and predator protection are two different goals. A 48" electric net will stop a fox from getting in, but it might not stop a Leghorn from getting out. You must solve for both variables: the predator trying to get in and the chicken trying to get out.

Ultimately, the best netting is a system that matches your land, your management style, and your birds. Don’t think of it as just a fence, but as an essential piece of equipment for managing your flock’s health and safety. The initial investment in the right combination of features will pay for itself many times over in peace of mind and healthy, happy chickens.