What is chicken wire, and how is it used?

What is chicken wire, and how is it used?

Chicken wire, or poultry netting, is a mesh of wire commonly used to fence in fowl, such as chickens, in a run or coop. It is made of thin, flexible, galvanized steel wire with hexagonal gaps.

Chicken wire, or poultry netting, is a wire mesh commonly used for fencing in a run or coop, such as a hen. It is made of thin, flexible, galvanized steel wire with hexagonal gaps.

Available in a 1-inch diameter, 2 inches, and 1/2 inch, chicken wire is available in various gauges, typically 19 gauge to 22 gauge (about 0.7 mm wire).

Chicken wire is sometimes used to make inexpensive pens for small animals (or to protect property from plants and animals), although the thinness and zinc content of galvanized wire may be inappropriate for animals, which Will not hunt and keep predators out to hunt.

Chicken wire is a thin, flexible, galvanized wire mesh with a hexagonal pattern, most commonly used to create enclosures for poultry like chickens, by acting as a fence to keep them contained within a designated area like a coop or run; it’s also used in gardening to protect plants from small animals like rabbits and rodents by creating barriers around crops. 

Key points about chicken wire:

• Structure: It’s made of thin, twisted steel wires forming a hexagonal pattern, giving it flexibility while maintaining a barrier. 
• Primary use: Fencing for poultry, creating chicken coops and runs. 
• Other applications:
  • Protecting gardens from small animals like rabbits and rodents 
  • Reinforcing plaster or cement in construction (used as a metal lath) 
  • Providing grip on surfaces like wooden steps or decking 

What is Chicken Wire?

Chicken wire, also known as poultry netting or hex wire mesh, is a type of fencing material made from thin, flexible wire twisted together to form a hexagonal pattern. It is typically galvanized for rust resistance, making it suitable for outdoor use. The mesh openings can vary in size, but they are usually small enough to keep chickens and other small animals contained while allowing for airflow and visibility.

Uses of Chicken Wire

1. Poultry Enclosures:

• Chicken Coops: Used to create secure enclosures for chickens, protecting them from predators while allowing them to roam freely.

1. Garden Fencing:

• Protecting Plants: Ideal for keeping out small animals like rabbits and deer that might eat or damage garden plants.
• Compost Bins: Can be used to create sides for compost bins, allowing airflow while keeping debris contained.

1. Craft Projects:

• Home Decor: Often used in crafting to create decorative items like wreaths, wall art, and other DIY projects.
• Animal Cages: Suitable for making cages or pens for small animals, including pets and wildlife.

1. Construction and Renovation:

• Temporary Barriers: Can serve as temporary fencing or barriers on construction sites to keep people and animals out.
• Support for Climbing Plants: Used as trellises or supports for climbing plants in gardens.

1. Animal Control:

• Fencing for Small Animals: Effective for keeping small animals like chickens, ducks, or rabbits contained while preventing larger predators from getting in.

1. Safety and Security:

• Enclosing Areas: Used to enclose areas around homes or farms for safety, such as around pools or gardens.

Conclusion

Chicken wire is a versatile and practical material widely used for agricultural, gardening, and crafting purposes. Its lightweight yet durable design makes it an effective solution for keeping animals contained, protecting plants, and enhancing various DIY projects.

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Chicken wire is a mesh of thin, flexible steel wire with hexagonal gaps that’s used for a variety of purposes, including: 

• FencingChicken wire is often used to fence in chickens and other poultry, as well as small animals like rabbits and dogs. 
• GardeningChicken wire can be used to create cloches, trellises, planter walls, and garden arches to help plants grow. 
• ConstructionChicken wire can be used as a reinforcement layer in construction to hold plaster or cement. 
• CraftingChicken wire’s malleability makes it a popular choice for artists and craft enthusiasts. It can be used to make the armature of Papier-mâché sculptures stronger. 
• Pest controlChicken wire can be used to protect plants and property from animals. 

Chicken wire is also known as poultry netting or hex mesh. It’s usually made from galvanized steel wire, which is coated in zinc to protect it from rusting. 

In construction, chicken wire or hardware cloth is used as a metal stick to hold cement or plaster, a process known as plastering.

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Concrete-reinforced iron construction with chicken wire or hardware fabric, a versatile building material.

It can also be used to make armatures for paper-match sculptures when relatively high power is required.

Chicken wire, also known as poultry netting or wire mesh, is a type of wire fencing with hexagonal gaps commonly used in various applications, including agriculture, construction, and crafts. It is named “chicken wire” because one of its primary uses is to create enclosures for poultry, such as chickens, to keep them contained while allowing airflow and visibility. Here are some key features and common uses of chicken wire:

Features of Chicken Wire:

1. Hexagonal Mesh: The distinctive feature of chicken wire is its hexagonal mesh pattern. The hexagonal openings create a flexible and lightweight structure.
2. Materials: Chicken wire is typically made from galvanized steel, which is resistant to rust and corrosion. This ensures durability, especially when exposed to outdoor elements.
3. Variety of Gauges: Chicken wire is available in different wire thicknesses or gauges. Thicker gauges provide more strength and durability.

Common Uses of Chicken Wire:

1. Poultry Fencing: As the name suggests, chicken wire is widely used for creating enclosures for poultry, including chickens, ducks, and other small animals. It helps keep them contained while allowing them to see through and receive adequate ventilation.
2. Garden Fencing: Chicken wire is used in gardens to protect plants from birds, rabbits, and other small animals. It can be installed as fencing around the perimeter or shaped into cages to safeguard specific plants.
3. Compost Bins: Chicken wire is often used to create compost bins. Its open structure allows for good airflow, aiding in the composting process.
4. Home and Garden Projects: Crafters and DIY enthusiasts use chicken wire for various projects, including making decorative frames, sculptures, or structures. It can be shaped easily and provides a versatile material for creative endeavors.
5. Construction and Repairs: In construction, chicken wire is sometimes used to reinforce plaster or concrete. It can be embedded within these materials to provide additional strength.
6. Temporary Fencing: Chicken wire is often employed as a temporary fencing solution for events, construction sites, or other situations where a quick and cost-effective barrier is needed.
7. Rodent Control: Chicken wire can be used to create barriers to prevent rodents from entering specific areas, such as crawl spaces or garden plots.
8. Crafts and Floral Arrangements: Due to its flexibility, chicken wire is used in crafts, floral arrangements, and DIY projects. It can be shaped into various forms to support items like flowers or serve as a base for creative designs.

When using chicken wire, it’s essential to consider the specific needs of the application, such as the required strength, size of the openings, and the material’s longevity. Proper installation techniques ensure that chicken wire serves its intended purpose effectively.

What is the purpose of chicken wire?

Chicken wire is primarily used for housing and fencing poultry such as chickens and turkeys; however, it can be used for many other things: chicken fencing, coops, and runs. Poultry livestock fencing, e.g., Turkey. Fencing for other small animals or pets, e.g., dogs, rabbits.

Will chicken wire keep out squirrels?

Chicken wire (also known as hex mesh) has many uses, particularly in the gardening and home improvement domains. However, it’s not recommended for squirrel exclusion, as most rodents can chew through it

What is better than chicken wire?

A Strong Choice:½ inch, 19 gauge wire

½-inch welded wire is the safe, strong option. While being more difficult to cut than chicken wire, it keeps out a wide variety of predators and should be used on all openings, such as vents and windows, of the coop.

When did it develop?

Charles Barnard, a British ironmaker, constructed the world’s earliest wire-mesh system in 1844. He also based his design on fabric weaving machines.

The installation of the systems caused a national shortage of chicken wire in the UK.

Throughout World War II, it was normally put on a helmet by German soldiers to cover the helmet and camouflage it with branches and plants.

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Not merely will galvanized wire mesh be a more affordable alternative to creating pens, but in addition, it serves an assortment of different functions, including pest management, retaining walls, and gardening alternatives, like helping to control root management.

It’s also sensible. Its galvanized coating keeps it rust-free for ages.

Looking to add wire mesh to your landscaping? Look at these seven ideas.

1. Domestic or workplace organizing centre

If you’d like something besides a usual cork board to maintain data, messages, and email, think about chicken wire. Locate an old framework (window, image, mirror, etc.) and basic chicken wire around itUse clips to maintain paper and other substances from the coordinating centre so that you can tell folks where they are, where they’re moving, and what they need to do.

2. pea pod

It’s spring, and the kids are taking peas. Assist my favourite vegetable grow this year with chicken wireframes offering tons of holds and make it simple for you to harvest some snacks that are luscious! To get a fundamental trellis, put it in a frame made from two old display doors fitted with chicken wire, or construct your very own rectangular framework. The hinges in the top permit you to keep it open and also re-flatten it in the autumn for storage.

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3. Quick Gopher Safety

Have a gopher issue? The chicken wire will gradually break, but for a long-term remedy, you might want a more powerful hardware fabric or seek support from a pest management expert.

4. Reinforcing concrete

While chicken wire won’t offer the identical service presented by rebar and more durable materials, it may be helpful for smaller jobs. For instance, wrap chicken wire across the bottom of a pole before pouring concrete to generate a solid foot, or use chicken wire from the footings of a non-Orlando cement garden wall for additional strength.

5. Best Coaching

When you want to train ivy and other climbing plants, build a chicken wire frame for them that extends from the top. Over time, the chicken wire will be covered, and you will have a great shape in the garden. (If it’s too big or has a vacant area, support the chicken wire using all the dolls.)

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6. Farm basket

It’s true that you can find a costly one at Anthropology or that you can create your own. Perfect for collecting eggs, clearly, but also another garden law, and also to line this up with a napkin and deliver similar presents to parties or picnics.

7. Light

Professional design Openwork metal is getting popular nowadays for light, and chicken wire is a fantastic material to use. Shape it to some color and set it with a lovely Edison bulb to attain a cool, classic effect.

How to build a chicken wire fence

Chicken wire is a versatile product often used in many ways by farmers, gardeners, and DIY handymen.

This comes in handy when you build a quick trellis for plant care, outside of your garden, or for a variety of interior and exterior applications around your home.

There is no debate over the number of different ways that chicken wires can be used. However, there is much debate as to whether or not it is a useful product when manufacturing chicken coop.

Once you start uncovering the logic behind this, it is clear that many people think that chicken wires should serve as their main source of protection when building their chicken coop.

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In actuality, it is used for ventilation purposes for safety. The best way to make your chicken coop a safe place is to build a wooden frame around the outer perimeter to act as a barrier against predators.

You will still need chicken wires, fence posts, and other building supplies to make the rest of the chicken pen, but the wooden frame provides the support and protection you need.

In a few simple steps you can make your own chicken pen, and you don’t have to be an architect to make one.

Follow a few simple steps to allow your chickens to roam outside without panicking.

How much does chicken wire fence cost to build?

Chicken wires installations cost around $0.50 to $3.50 per foot. The cost of a barbed-wire fence is approximately $1 to $3 per foot installed. A chain-link fence costs about $10 to $25 per foot to install.

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Is chicken wire expensive?

This is the ‘go to’ material to keep your herd safe and secure. It is welded steel that comes in a variety of sizes, most effective for half-inch lattice chickens.

Yes, it can be expensive, but there are some tricks to help reduce the amount of wire you need.

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Build a pen around your chicken coop:

1. Outline how big you want your chicken pen to be. To do this make sure to use spray paint or some kind of marking tool so that you can clearly see where you are working.
2. Put your fence posts (use T-posts, U-posts, or wooden fence posts) around the perimeter. Before doing so, be sure to select fence posts that meet your size requirement. T-posts run between 5 ″ 6 ″ to 7 ″ 6 U per steak, U posts are sold in sizes between 3 to 6, per steak, and wooden fence posts are often 7 stakes per stake. Keep in mind that some chickens can fly over 5 chick fences.
3. If you have a sledgehammer or post driver drive the fence post to the ground. Be sure to keep your fence posts at least 6-8 inches into the ground so that the soil plate is completely buried. Each post should not be placed more than 10 feet.

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1. Next, you want to dig a trench for the wire along your fence. Use a shovel or an electric edger/trencher. Wild animals will try to dig under the fence to reach their livestock, so ditch between the fence posts at a depth of at least 1 foot. Fill the gap with some framing lumbar – either 2 × 3’s, 2 × 4’s, measure 2 × 6 and cut to your required length.
2. Wooden sections in the trench to make sure everything fits. Then take out all the wood framing and use a framing nail and a hammer to attach each section of wood. Finally, once the wood frame is completed, place it in the trench.
3. Depending on the length of the T-posts or U posts you are using, buy chicken wire that matches these measurements. If you have bought 6-T-post then buy chicken wire which is 6 ′ long. Plan of chicken wire around 4 sq ft per bird.
4. Proper stretching and installation of chicken wire is a two-man job. Align one edge of the wire with the edge of your first fence post or wooden frame.
5. Hammer poultry staples above, center, and below fence posts. While doing this, also place the hen staples under the hen wire and in the previously assembled wooden frame.
6. Then hand your partner the wire to the front while you secure the fence the same way.
7. When finished, cut the extra chicken wire with a wire cutter.

Conclusion:

Despite its title, the chicken wire has restricted use in maintaining your herd secure and safe. As we’ve observed, it’s likely to use chicken wire at particular times and in certain areas.

Evidently, if money is actually tight and you’ve got no other choice then you need to use it. The ideal defense hardware is fabric.

As I’ve mentioned previously, a number of my runs have chicken wires, but that I also find additional protection at night time when many hunters go searching for dinner.

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The most significant issue is that your coop is secure at night – seekers have locked away with no chance to acquire access.

This is sometimes utilized as a separation barrier for chickens of ages while they float to another.

In addition, it can be utilized as a streak covering, but if you will use plastic it is possible to use either bird or deer netting on the shirt as it’s cheaper and somewhat simpler to use.

It flickers and is readily crushed; Thus despite optimistic advertisements, it doesn’t have any location in protecting chickens from predators.

The actual space this is that you shouldn’t count on something alone to secure your herd!

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Why is chicken wire bad?

The primary reason for enclosing your chickens in their own space – a coop, run, or nursery – is to keep them safe. Chicken wires is made of, well, wire. … Eventually, your chicken wires n will rust and corrode. Because it is so thin, predators like raccoons can (and will) break it.

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Is chicken wire good for dogs?

Can you use chicken wires for a dog fence? Chicken wires can be a great option for a DIY dog fence. It is easy to work with, and the holes are small enough that your dog cannot slip through them. However, it is important to remember that your chicken wires fence will only be as strong as your supports.

Is chicken wire expensive?

It is welded steel that comes in various sizes half-inch mesh being the most effective for chickens. Yes, it can be expensive, but there are a couple of tricks to help you reduce the amount of wire you will need.

What can I use instead of chicken wire?

Unlike metal products, Multi-Use Netting will not rust or corrode and has no sharp edges to cut your hands during installation making it an ideal alternative to chicken wires. Easy Gardener Multi-Use Netting can be reused year after year making it a very economical netting solution.

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What wire is best for chicken coops?

A strong material like welded galvanised steel chicken wire is the best choice for strength and longevity on your chook coop, chicken run or poultry fencing.

What’s better woven or welded wire fencing?

Welded wire, with its strong cross points and inflexible openings is simply more durable and will withstand the test of time better than a woven or chain link fence. As far as versatility, welded can be modified more easily in the field than a woven or chain link fence.

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how to use chicken wire

What is the chicken wire used for?

Chicken wire is primarily used for housing and fencing poultry such as chickens and turkeys. However, it can be utilized for many other things: Chicken fencing, coops and runs. Poultry livestock fencing – e.g. Turkey. Fencing for other small animals or pets – e.g. Dogs, rabbits.

What To Use Instead Of Chicken Wire for Chicken Fences The preferred wire fencing for a secure chicken fence is called hardware cloth. How did it get the name? It is much stronger than a cloth!

Chicken Wire Isn’t Pest-Proof

Both will help themselves to your flock’s feed, and rodents can find a nice warm bed for the night underneath your chickens. Using chicken wire on your coop can lead to respiratory illnesses, mites, lice and other pathogens simply because of exposure to other animals.

It is hazardous. More is now known about zinc poisoning, which can be an issue with some galvanising forms. The best thing is to search for the wire made explicitly for cockatiels or parrot caging. Wire made for chickens may be unsafe for parrots because chickens do not chew on the wire.

If it’s called chicken wire, it must be for chickens, right? Chicken wire is widely recognized as the hexagon-shaped welded wire commonly used on farms for various fencing needs, including chicken fences.

In the blog Bytes Daily, Otto wrote a little explanation of chicken wire.

“Chicken wire was invented in 1844 by British ironmonger Charles Barnard. He developed it for his father, a farmer, the manufacturing process being based on cloth-weaving machines. Apparently, the town of Norwich, where Barnard Junior had his business, had a plentiful supply of cloth weaving machines.”

There are some instances where chicken wire is a perfect choice, but when discussing securing your feathered friends in their chicken runs and coops, I do not recommend chicken wire. While it may keep a small flock of chickens in a set area, it could be more robust. Predators can quickly move it out of their way, rip it or tear it open to access your chickens or other small, vulnerable livestock. It is similar to cloth in that it is woven together.

In short, chicken wire helps keep chickens in but is not very good at keeping chicken predators out.

Where Chicken Wire Can Be Used Successfully

Chicken wire can separate pullets from the older chickens inside the chicken pen and run.

The chicken wire might be an excellent barrier to keeping chickens out of your garden.

Chicken wire is also proper when temporarily plugging holes at the fence baseline to keep chickens in the run. Fold or crumple up a chicken wire and stuff it into the hole. Cover with dirt and pack down. Make a more permanent fence repair as soon as possible.

Chicken coop wire is suitable for burying underground around the perimeter of the chicken coop and running to deter predators from digging into the coop. Most predators will only try to dig in for a short time. When they reach a wire barrier, they often quit digging and move to another spot.

Chicken wire is great for craft projects, building armatures for sculptures.

What To Use Instead Of Chicken Wire for Chicken Fences

The preferred wire fencing for a secure chicken fence is called hardware cloth. How did it get the name? It is much stronger than a cloth! It is welded and needs to bend more quickly, making it a more robust product.

In our chicken coop, we have six windows. All of the windows are covered with hardware cloth with 1-inch square openings. Hardware cloth comes in various sizes of mesh. The 1/4-inch size has a very tiny mesh, and the 2 x 2 and 2 x 4 mesh would be too large of a mesh, allowing small predators to slip through. I recommend either the 1/2-inch or 1-inch mesh. Hardware cloth is often a galvanized, welded metal product that is highly durable.

Safety Issues Of Chickens and Chicken Wire

You can cross chicken wire off that list when you ask what a chicken coop needs. One reason to shy away from chicken wire is the possibility of it causing injury to your birds.

Since the chicken wire is flimsy, it can break and fall apart, leaving hazards for your chicken’s feet. Chicken wire should never be used as flooring for a coop as it can contribute to foot injuries, including bumblefoot. Chicken toes can get caught in the wire and lead to broken toes. Petite chicks can get caught in the mesh. Broken, worn wire sticking out can cause scratches, eye injuries and cuts.

Paying extra attention to overall coop safety and chicken fences will pay off repeatedly and keep your chickens healthy and happy.

Are you just getting started with backyard chickens? Here’s a free chicken coop plan for an easy 3×7 coop design that recommends 1/2” hardware wire.

Janet writes about simple homesteading and raising livestock on her blog Timber Creek Farm. Her new book, Chickens From Scratch, is available now through the Timber Creek Farm website and on the Countryside Network.

Last update on 2025-04-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API