6 Best Galvanized Poultry Netting For Backyard Flocks That Keep Predators Out

There’s nothing worse than the sinking feeling of discovering a predator has visited your flock overnight. You spend all this time raising healthy, happy birds, only to have it undone by a weak spot in your fencing. The right poultry netting isn’t just about keeping chickens in; it’s a critical line of defense that lets you sleep at night.

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Why Galvanized Steel Is Key For Predator Proofing

When you see "galvanized," it simply means the steel wire has been coated in a protective layer of zinc. This coating is the single most important feature for outdoor fencing. It fights off rust and corrosion, ensuring your investment doesn’t disintegrate after a few seasons of rain and snow.

Plain steel wire will rust through in a surprisingly short time, creating weak points a predator can easily exploit. Plastic netting, while cheap, is no match for the teeth and claws of a determined raccoon or fox. Galvanized steel provides the essential combination of weather resistance and physical strength needed to create a lasting, secure barrier.

Pay attention to how it’s galvanized. Wire that is Galvanized After Weaving (GAW) is superior to Galvanized Before Weaving (GBW). GAW means the zinc coating is applied after the mesh is woven or welded together, sealing the vulnerable joints where rust often starts. It costs a bit more, but the extended lifespan is well worth the investment.

Yardgard 20-Gauge Galvanized Hexagonal Netting

This is the classic "chicken wire" most people picture. It’s widely available at almost any hardware or farm supply store, making it a convenient and affordable choice. Its 20-gauge wire is flexible and easy to cut, bend, and attach to posts.

However, its convenience comes with a major security tradeoff. 20-gauge wire is thin. A strong raccoon can rip it open with its hands, and a determined dog or coyote can simply push its way through. The hexagonal shape can also be stretched and distorted under pressure.

Think of this material as a tool for containment, not exclusion. It’s excellent for keeping your chickens out of the garden or for creating temporary daytime partitions. It also works well as a lightweight cover for the top of a run to deter climbing and discourage aerial predators like hawks, but it should never be your primary defense against ground-based threats, especially at night.

Fencer Wire 1-Inch Hexagonal Poultry Netting

This is another common hexagonal netting, very similar in form and function to the Yardgard product. The key specification to focus on here is the 1-inch mesh size. This is a significant step up from the 2-inch mesh sometimes sold for poultry, which is large enough for many predators to reach through.

A 1-inch opening will successfully stop larger predators like foxes, coyotes, and adult opossums from getting through. It’s a solid, budget-friendly choice for the main fencing of a large, supervised daytime run. It provides good visibility and airflow while establishing a clear boundary.

The vulnerability of 1-inch mesh lies with smaller predators. Weasels, snakes, and rats can easily slip through a 1-inch hole. A raccoon, while unable to fit its body through, can still reach a paw through to grab an unsuspecting chicken that gets too close to the fence line. It’s a good general-purpose material but requires other measures to be truly predator-proof.

MTB 1/2-Inch Mesh Hardware Cloth for Small Pests

Hardware cloth is a different beast entirely from hexagonal netting. It’s a rigid, welded or woven wire mesh with a square pattern, and it represents a major upgrade in security. The 1/2-inch mesh size is the gold standard for creating an impenetrable barrier.

This small mesh size stops everything. Literally everything. A 1/2-inch opening is too small for even the smallest weasel or snake to squeeze through. It also prevents a raccoon from reaching its dexterous hands inside the coop or run.

Because it’s more expensive and far more rigid than hexagonal netting, you use it strategically. It is the only material you should use to cover coop windows, vents, and any other openings. It’s also the best choice for the lower portion of a run, where ground-level threats are most likely to test your defenses.

Amagabeli 1-Inch Galvanized Hexagonal Fencing

This brand offers a reliable version of the 1-inch hexagonal netting that serves as a great middle-ground for many backyard flock keepers. Like similar products, it balances cost, ease of installation, and moderate security. It’s a workhorse material for fencing large areas efficiently.

When building a chicken run, this is the kind of material you might use for the upper sections, from about three feet off the ground to the top. It keeps the cost of a large enclosure reasonable while still providing a solid barrier against climbing or flying predators. You get the benefit of a fully enclosed space without the high cost and weight of using heavy-duty material from top to bottom.

Just remember the limitations of the 1-inch mesh. It’s part of a system, not the entire solution. Its effectiveness depends entirely on being paired with a more secure material at the base to stop diggers and small predators.

Tenax PVC Coated Galvanized Poultry Fence

Adding a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) coating over the galvanized wire offers a few distinct advantages. The most obvious is an extra layer of protection against the elements. The plastic coating seals the wire from moisture, dramatically increasing its lifespan, especially in humid, rainy, or coastal climates where salt air can accelerate corrosion.

The coating also makes the fence a bit more user-friendly. It smooths over sharp edges at the ends of cut wires, making it easier to handle during installation. For runs that are highly visible in your yard, the typical black or green coating can also be more aesthetically pleasing than bare metal wire.

The primary defense is still the steel wire underneath. A determined rodent can chew through the PVC coating, so the gauge and quality of the galvanization are still what provide the real strength. This is a premium option best suited for those prioritizing longevity and appearance in a high-moisture environment.

YARDGARD 1/2-Inch Hardware Cloth for Max Security

When you are unwilling to compromise on security, this is what you buy. Yardgard’s 1/2-inch hardware cloth, typically in a heavier 19-gauge, is the material you use to build a fortress. It is significantly stronger, more rigid, and more resistant to tearing than any hexagonal netting.

This is the non-negotiable material for the most vulnerable parts of your chicken setup. Use it to line the bottom 2-3 feet of your entire run. To stop digging predators like foxes, coyotes, and even neighborhood dogs, you should extend this hardware cloth outward from the base of the fence, creating a 12-to-24-inch "apron" that you can bury just under the sod. No animal will think to start digging two feet away from the fenceline.

Yes, it is more expensive and much harder to work with. It’s stiff, tough to cut, and requires sturdy fasteners like poultry staples. But the peace of mind that comes from knowing your flock is sealed in a secure perimeter is priceless. This is the material that lets you go on vacation without hiring a chicken-sitter out of fear.

Choosing Mesh Size and Wire Gauge for Your Flock

Your choice of fencing ultimately comes down to balancing cost, effort, and the specific predators in your area. There is no single "best" fence, only the best system for your situation. The two key variables are mesh size and wire gauge.

For mesh size, the rules are simple:

• 2-inch mesh: Only keeps chickens in. It offers almost no predator protection.
• 1-inch mesh: Stops medium-to-large predators like hawks and foxes. It will not stop weasels, snakes, or raccoon hands.
• 1/2-inch mesh: Stops everything. This is the only choice for total exclusion.

For wire gauge, remember that the lower the number, the thicker and stronger the wire. A 20-gauge wire is thin and flexible, while a 16-gauge wire is incredibly rigid and tough. For any area of your coop or run accessible to ground predators, you should aim for 19-gauge or thicker.

The most practical and cost-effective approach is a hybrid system. Use heavy-duty, 1/2-inch, 19-gauge (or thicker) hardware cloth for the coop’s vents and windows, and for the bottom 2-3 feet of the run, including a buried apron. For the upper portion of the run, you can switch to a more affordable 1-inch, 20-gauge hexagonal netting to keep costs down while still providing a secure top. This layered defense focuses your investment where it matters most.

Ultimately, a secure chicken run is a system, not a single product. Assess your real-world predator risks, from the sly fox to the tiny weasel, and build accordingly. Investing in the right galvanized steel where it counts—at the base and on the coop itself—is the surest way to protect your flock and your peace of mind.