6 Best Electric Poultry Nettings to Keep Predators Out

There are few things more disheartening for a farmer than discovering a predator has visited the coop overnight. It’s a brutal reminder that a determined fox, raccoon, or hawk sees your flock as an easy meal. While a sturdy coop provides nighttime security, effective daytime protection in the pasture is the real challenge, and this is where electric poultry netting truly shines.

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Why Electric Netting Beats Standard Fencing

Standard woven wire or chain-link fencing is a physical barrier, but a surprisingly weak one against the right predator. A raccoon can climb it, a fox can dig under it, and a weasel can slip right through it. These fences are also permanent, making them a poor choice for rotational grazing, a key practice for improving soil health and giving your birds fresh forage. You build it once, and your pasture is fixed.

Electric netting, on the other hand, is a psychological barrier. It delivers a short, sharp, but safe shock that teaches predators to stay far away. The pain is memorable, and the lesson is quickly learned. Because the netting is lightweight and incorporates its own posts, it’s also incredibly portable. You can move your entire pasture in under 30 minutes, giving your flock fresh ground while allowing the previous area to rest and regrow.

This portability is the game-changer for the small-scale farmer. It allows you to manage your land effectively, breaking up parasite cycles and fertilizing your fields with chicken manure as you go. Instead of a static, muddy run, you create a dynamic, healthy system for both your birds and your land. It’s a tool that works with nature, not against it.

Key Features: Height, Posts, and Conductors

When you’re comparing different netting options, the details matter immensely. The three most critical features to evaluate are the height of the fence, the type and number of posts, and the quality of the conductive wires woven into the mesh. Getting any one of these wrong can compromise the entire system.

Height is your first line of defense against different types of predators. A standard 42-inch fence is usually sufficient for ground-based threats like raccoons and foxes. However, if you’re dealing with coyotes, large dogs, or have particularly flighty chicken breeds, upgrading to a 48-inch net is a wise investment. The extra height creates a much more formidable visual and physical deterrent.

The posts provide the structure, and their design impacts stability and ease of use. Most nets come with built-in fiberglass or PVC posts, but look closely at the spike. Single-spike posts are quick to install but can sag in soft or uneven soil, while double-spike posts offer far superior stability, especially at corners where tension is highest. You’ll also want to ensure the net includes enough posts to minimize sagging along its length; a droopy net is an invitation for a predator to push through and is more likely to short out on vegetation.

Finally, look at the horizontal lines, or conductors. These are the wires that carry the charge. More horizontal strands mean a tighter mesh and more opportunities to shock a predator trying to push through. The lowest wire should be very close to the ground to stop diggers, but not so low it constantly shorts out. The material matters, too; tinned copper conductors are more efficient than stainless steel, delivering a stronger shock further down the fenceline, which is critical for longer runs.

Premier 1 PoultryNet Plus: The Gold Standard

If you’re looking for a reliable, long-lasting fence and are willing to invest in quality, Premier 1’s PoultryNet Plus is the benchmark against which all others are measured. It’s designed by people who clearly understand the daily realities of pasture-based farming. The attention to detail is evident in features like the double-spiked posts, which provide exceptional stability in all but the rockiest soil, preventing the dreaded fence sag that plagues cheaper options.

The conductivity of this netting is also top-tier. It uses a mix of tinned copper and stainless steel conductors, ensuring a potent charge is delivered consistently across the entire length of the fence. This means fewer worries about power loss on longer runs or on dewy mornings. The vertical lines are non-conductive, which helps prevent the fence from shorting out when it inevitably touches wet grass. It’s a small detail that makes a huge difference in day-to-day management.

This is the fence for the serious hobby farmer who values reliability and ease of use over initial cost savings. If you plan on moving your flock frequently for rotational grazing and want a system that will stand up to years of use without constant adjustments and repairs, this is your answer. It’s a "buy it once, cry once" piece of equipment that pays for itself in peace of mind and dead predators.

Starkline 48" Netting: For High-Flying Birds

Starkline has carved out a niche by focusing on one key feature: height. Their 48-inch netting provides that extra margin of security that can make all the difference in high-pressure situations. That additional six inches over a standard net is a significant deterrent for predators that are skilled climbers or jumpers, like determined coyotes or neighborhood dogs that see your chickens as a fun chase.

This taller fence is also the ideal choice if you’re raising more athletic or flighty poultry. Certain chicken breeds, like Leghorns, are notorious for easily clearing shorter fences. A 48-inch barrier significantly reduces the likelihood of escapees. It’s also a better fit for larger birds like turkeys or geese, providing a more appropriate and secure boundary for their size. The construction is solid, often featuring double-spiked posts and a good number of conductive strands.

Choose Starkline if your primary concern is a predator or poultry type that can defeat a standard-height fence. If you’ve had issues with animals going over your fence rather than through or under it, the investment in a taller net is a logical and effective upgrade. It’s a specialized tool for a specific and frustrating problem.

Gallagher SmartFence 2: An All-in-One System

The Gallagher SmartFence 2 isn’t a traditional mesh net, but it solves the same problem with a brilliantly engineered all-in-one design. This system combines four strands of polywire, posts, and a geared reel into a single, highly portable unit. For farmers who need to set up and take down a fence in minutes, there is simply nothing faster. You walk the line, reeling out the posts and wire, and use the geared reel to tension it in seconds.

The primary advantage is speed. Moving a traditional net can be an awkward process of untangling and repositioning, but the SmartFence makes the job incredibly efficient. This is a huge benefit for daily or every-other-day moves in a rotational grazing system. The four-wire setup is surprisingly effective, as the spacing is designed to deter predators from trying to go through it, while the electric shock provides the memorable lesson.

This system is for the farmer who prioritizes speed and convenience above all else. If you are managing multiple small paddocks, strip grazing, or simply have limited time, the SmartFence 2 is a revolutionary tool. It may not be as impenetrable a visual barrier as a mesh net for containing very small chicks, but for managing adult birds and repelling predators with maximum efficiency, it’s in a class of its own.

Fi-Shock Electric Netting: An Affordable Choice

For the backyard keeper just starting out or the farmer on a strict budget, Fi-Shock offers a functional and accessible entry point into electric fencing. It’s often one of the most affordable options available at big-box farm supply stores, making it easy to acquire and try out. The fence does its basic job: it carries a charge and creates a visible boundary to keep your flock contained.

However, the lower price point comes with tradeoffs. Fi-Shock nets typically feature fewer conductive strands and use single-spiked posts, which are less stable on uneven ground. You may find yourself needing to add extra support posts, especially at the corners, to keep it properly tensioned. The overall durability may not match premium brands, so it may not be the best choice for a system that will be moved daily for years on end.

Fi-Shock is the right choice if your budget is the primary deciding factor. It’s also a good option for less demanding, semi-permanent applications, such as fencing off a garden or a small, level backyard area where the fence won’t be moved often. It gets the job done, but be prepared to spend a little more time on maintenance and support to keep it working effectively.

Kencove Power-Grip Netting: A Solid Performer

Kencove is a name trusted by serious farmers for providing high-quality, no-nonsense equipment, and their electric netting is no exception. It sits comfortably in the middle ground, offering features that rival premium brands but often at a more competitive price point. Their Power-Grip netting is a workhorse, built with durable materials and thoughtful design elements.

You’ll often find Kencove nets with rigid vertical struts, which is a key feature that helps prevent the fence from sagging between posts. This keeps the horizontal hot wires at a consistent height, reducing the chance of them shorting out on grass. They also offer options with double-spiked posts and a high number of conductive strands, ensuring both stability and a powerful shock. It’s a product built for function, not for marketing flair.

This is the fence for the practical farmer who does their research. If you compare specs and are looking for the best value—meaning excellent performance and durability for the price—Kencove is a fantastic choice. It delivers the reliable performance you need for intensive rotational grazing without the premium price tag of the most well-known brand.

Zareba Poultry Fence: For Smaller Pasture Areas

Zareba is a widely recognized brand in the world of electric fencing, and their poultry netting is a popular choice, particularly for those with smaller flocks and pasture areas. It’s readily available and designed to be a straightforward solution for backyard chicken keepers. The system is typically easy to set up and provides an effective barrier for containing chickens and deterring common neighborhood predators like raccoons and stray dogs.

The standard Zareba kits are often geared toward smaller enclosures, making them a perfect fit for protecting a garden or creating a secure daytime run adjacent to a coop. While they may use single-spike posts and have fewer conductors than a premium net, this is often perfectly adequate for a 50 or 100-foot enclosure on relatively flat ground. The focus is on providing a complete, user-friendly package for a specific scale.

This is the ideal netting for someone managing a flock of a dozen birds in a suburban or small-farm setting. If you don’t need to create massive paddocks or move your fence across rugged terrain, the Zareba system offers a reliable and convenient solution. It’s a great way to give your backyard flock safe access to fresh grass without over-investing in a system designed for larger operations.

Proper Setup: Avoiding Shorts and Power Loss

Even the best electric netting is useless if it’s not set up correctly. The number one enemy of an electric fence is the "short," which occurs when a charged wire touches something that diverts the electricity to the ground before it can shock a predator. The most common culprit is tall, wet grass or weeds. A fence constantly shorting out will have a weak or nonexistent charge, offering no protection.

Before setting up your net, always mow or weed-whack a clear path for the fenceline. This simple ten-minute task will save you hours of frustration. When setting up, pull the net taut. A sagging net not only looks sloppy but allows the bottom hot wire to touch the ground, draining the power from your entire fence. Use extra step-in posts at corners and in the middle of long runs to maintain tension and keep the net upright.

Finally, don’t neglect your grounding system. The energizer sends a pulse down the fence, and for a predator to get a shock, the electricity must travel through its body and back to the energizer through the earth. This requires a proper ground rod—at least three to four feet of galvanized steel driven into moist soil. A poor ground is a common cause of a weak fence; without it, the circuit can’t be completed, and the shock will be feeble at best.

Choosing the Right Energizer for Your Flock

The energizer, or fencer, is the heart of your entire system, and selecting the right one is non-negotiable. The power of an energizer is measured in joules, which indicates the energy of the electrical pulse. For poultry netting, which has a lot of wire and is prone to some power loss from touching vegetation, you need a low-impedance energizer rated for at least 0.25 joules, with 0.5 joules or more being ideal for longer fences or areas with heavy weed pressure.

Energizers come in three main types, each suited to a different scenario:

• AC (110-volt): These plug into a standard wall outlet. They are the most reliable and cost-effective option, delivering consistent power without worrying about dead batteries. If your pasture is anywhere near a barn or shed, this is always the best choice.
• DC (Battery): These run on a 12-volt deep-cycle marine battery. They offer a powerful charge and are perfect for pastures far from an electrical source. The downside is that you have to haul the battery back and forth for recharging every few weeks.
• Solar: A solar energizer is essentially a DC unit with a built-in solar panel and battery. This is the ultimate solution for remote pastures, providing a self-sustaining power source. However, they are the most expensive option and their performance can suffer during long stretches of cloudy weather.

Under-powering your fence is the most common mistake a beginner makes. A weak shock won’t deter a hungry predator; it will only annoy it. It’s always better to have an energizer that is slightly more powerful than you think you need. That extra power ensures that even at the farthest end of the fenceline, the fence is carrying enough voltage to deliver a memorable zap.

Choosing the right electric netting is about matching the tool to your specific farm, flock, and predator challenges. The best system is one that not only keeps predators out but also empowers you to manage your land and animals more effectively. By investing in a quality net and energizer and committing to proper setup, you’re not just buying a fence; you’re investing in peace of mind and a healthier, more productive small-farm ecosystem.