Bird friendly netting

[lolabelle]

I  want to build a fruit cage with the infamous Wilkco rose arches..but what type of netting is safest to avoid birds getting trapped in it ..I don't want them to get at my fruit but equally i don't want to hurt  them.

[lolabelle]

[saddad]

another oxymoron... (bird-friendly netting).. about 3/4" mesh is normal I think...  :-\

[Chrissie]

Hi Lolabelle,

I don't think the problem is with birds getting trapped in the netting itself, rather that they might get into your fruit cage and be unable to get out. They seem to be able to get through any tiny gap, especially at ground level (dunnocks, robins, thrushes and blackbirds are very good at that) so you need to make sure the netting is very secure all the way round. Also visit regularly to check.

[Robert_Brenchley]

They'll tangle themselves in loose netting, and they don't last long like that.

[lolabelle]

so folks its 3/4 inch net firmly held taut and well fixed to the ground , I have loads of fleece/net pegs so shouldn't be a  problem Thanks for your help

[Chrissie]

They'll tangle themselves in loose netting, and they don't last long like that.

Yes of course you're right - we spent a happy hour last summer disentangling a dozen pheasant chicks from a heap of loose netting someone had left lying around, while their mother wandered around quite unconcerned, stealing raspberries! Not sure what on earth we were doing, saving all those pheasants to cause more mayhem on the site... but you can't possibly watch the little things suffering  :(.

A timely warning NOT to leave piles of loose netting around. Good luck Lolabelle!

[PurpleHeather]

Make sure the netting is pulled tightly so that if they land on it they do not get tangled in it.