Heavy Duty Aviary Netting recommendations?

[My1stChickens]

My chickens' run is large-- about 30' wide by 60' long. It's fence 4' high, with 2x4 inch "no climb" wire. When raccoons dug under, I reinforced the perimeter with 4' tall hardware cloth that is trenched into the ground and set in concrete. Then I have aviary netting over the top, since I have hawks in the area.

So about the time I think I'm good..... I see a bobcat lurking. Not showing interest in the chickens, but passing by casually. So I review the pen again, with this new fear in mind. I am not convinced my aviary netting would hold up if a bobcat jumped over the fence, wallowed around in it. I don't think the weight would be the issue, but am worried that claws could tear? So I started investigating and found some really heavy duty aviary netting (break strength 85#, burst strength even more). Now I'm thinking this will hold a bobcat on the other side of the net, since they top out at 30#. Because my pen is big, I'd need a big net-- 50x100 to allow for the rise, etc. Net would cost about $250, then probably another $50 in cable, zip ties, etc. Then I'd have to hire help to install. So it's not cheap. Here's a link to the product.

https://pinnonhatch.com/Poultry-Supplies/Poultry-Protection-Netting-2inch-Heavy-Knotted.html

If this covered my run, and was zip tied to the fence, would I know have a truly safe pen???? I hate to sink hundreds more $$ into this pen, but I also do not want to find that a bobcat breached the pen. I know they are just chickens, but I feel responsible for keeping them safe.

I'd appreciate thoughts, confirmation or corrections to my thought process.

 

[NewBoots]

This is a very good question. I'll watch with interest.

 

[The Phantom]

I use the 1 inch. Well worth the money but I had coons chew through it but after Electic wire it works great.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Good question. I use that same netting to deter birds of prey. I also have bobcats but I've never had one try to get in so I can't confirm/deny that that netting would work to deter it.

 

[My1stChickens]

Good question. I use that same netting to deter birds of prey. I also have bobcats but I've never had one try to get in so I can't confirm/deny that that netting would work to deter it.

Interesting that bobcats have not attempted to get in. The bobcat that strolled by really did not seem interested in the chickens or their pen. But it sure worried me! Why would a bobcat not want chicken dinner? EVERYTHING wants chicken dinner!

 

[007Sean]

I wouldn't worry so much about a bobcat getting in as I would a raccoon.
I had some 1" netting over a grow out pen I have, (20' x 30') the raccoons made short work of it and killed 14 birds in one night.
I replaced it with 1" square welded wire and have had no problems with predators entering the pen from the top since that time. Yeah, it's expensive but so are my birds.
Squirrels also love to chew on the netting and get in to the feed. Creating more openings for predators to get easier access to a pen.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Interesting that bobcats have not attempted to get in. The bobcat that strolled by really did not seem interested in the chickens or their pen. But it sure worried me! Why would a bobcat not want chicken dinner? EVERYTHING wants chicken dinner!

In my case the bobcat might've thought about it, but they were more likely attracted by the creek that runs by the chicken run.

I've really only had issues with aerial predators, so netting made sense for me (plus it's hard to roof a run after the fact).

 

[MissChick@dee]

I’m thinking why not chicken wire? It would offer a tiny bit more protection and its less expensive. Any predator other than a raptor could easily chew through either. I put up chicken wire. This spring I’m replacing it with hardware cloth. I absolutely would love to have a canopy of netting in my yard. Even if it’s just over my chickens favorite dust bathing area. It’s on my to-do list.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

https://sciencing.com/repel-bobcat-7727870.html

So I read this article and they mention some ideas. I wonder about the 45* fence topper.

Not sure it would work for 4’ fence but it generally stops climbing. I’m not familiar with bobcats though.

 

[My1stChickens]

I wouldn't worry so much about a bobcat getting in as I would a raccoon.
I had some 1" netting over a grow out pen I have, (20' x 30') the raccoons made short work of it and killed 14 birds in one night.
I replaced it with 1" square welded wire and have had no problems with predators entering the pen from the top since that time. Yeah, it's expensive but so are my birds.
Squirrels also love to chew on the netting and get in to the feed. Creating more openings for predators to get easier access to a pen.

The raccoons went over the top of the fence??? I have had raccoons but they dug under. That's why I trenched/concreted the hardware cloth.

Would you need to cover your whole pen with the welded wire, or could you do, say 3' around the perimeter? (just imagining a big set of trusses and supports being required if you covered the whole top, especially since mine is elevated so I can get in there to mow, tend them etc)