The Fence Post

Chicken Wire with a Twist

Sculpture by Susan Nichols

At Louis Page, we love chicken wire art and crafts and we love the work of Susan Nichols. Another chicken wire artist we came across is Australian Ivan Lovett. We highlighted him in this blog post and it is wildly popular, and we continue to receive many questions about the various uses of chicken wire. Today, we are sharing some of our favorite photos of chicken wire arts and crafts. The possibilities of effect are numerous and impressive. First, we'll look at some projects for around the house and then some contemporary chicken wire art. After the montage, look at the specifications below if you'd like more details.

To begin, here are some crafty home décor projects that we found on the web.

Source: Crafty Sisters

Source: Shades of Light

Source: toocraft.com

Source: The Painted Parlor

Captivating Pieces by Contemporary Artists

Such as this beautifully displayed piece by the artist, Derek Kenzett

Here is a gallery piece by the artist, Benedetta Mori Ubaldini

And this lighted piece by Cédric Le Borgne

"Floating Mountains, Singing Clouds" by Mei-ling Hom

Finally, this fun sculpture of chickens by Susan Nichols

Details

The most common specifications of chicken wire available are made using 20 gauge wire woven into 1" or 2" hexagonal mesh. Other types available are 1/2" x 22 gauge, 1" x 18 gauge and 1-1/2 x 17 gauge.

An Array of Finishes

Finishes available are: galvanized before weave (GBW), galvanized after weave (GAW) and PVC vinyl coated (VC). Not all specifications are available in all finishes.

Extremely Useful

This fencing material is ideal for use around the home, farm, and in industrial applications - any place where a lighter weight mesh can be used. Conventional uses include:

• deer fence
• craft projects
• stucco netting
• window guards
• game bird flight pens
• garden perimeter fence
• tree and shrub protection
• holding insulation in place
  
• exclusion barriers for birds
• chicken runs and poultry houses
• trellis for climbing plants & flowers
• backing mesh for post and rail fence
• framework for sculpture and float decorations

We have highlighted some of our favorites sculptures and DIY projects from across the web. Perhaps you have a favorite chicken wire artist? Or maybe, you take the DIY approach and have created a sculpture of your own? Whatever the case, we want you to know, we love a good chicken wire sculpture or homestead project and sell hexagonal wire aka chicken wire (GBW, GAW, and Vinyl-Coated) check it out our products here.

Securing Your Crops

Each year millions of dollars worth of crops are lost to birds. Fruits and vegetables are both at risk. Your blueberry and raspberry bushes are particularly attractive sites for birds to feed. There are two types of polypropylene netting you can use to secure your garden.

1. Extruded Bird Barrier Netting

Black polypropylene is extruded into strong square meshes with small openings. These products are specifically designed to protect your vegetables, flowers, plants, fruits, trees, gardens, ponds and other areas from invasion by nuisance birds. The netting can also be used for other purposes such as effective erosion control on newly seeded slopes and keeping leaf piles in place on windy days.

Ornex, made by Tenax, is available in two mesh sizes: 3/4" x 3/4" and 3/8" x 3/8". This bird barrier netting is light in weight and easy to handle and install. It's inexpensive, rot and rust proof, and resistant to both UV rays and chemical agents. Large size rolls are available for bigger gardens and operations. The larger rolls eliminate the frustration of having to join several pieces together.

Ornex - 3/4" x 3/4" mesh - black

• Roll sizes available - 14' x 100', 14' x 500', 14' x 1,000', 14' x 5,000' and 15-1/2' x 700'

Ornex - 3/8"x3/8" mesh - black

• Roll size available: 13' x 820'

S-31 - a stronger, longer lasting mesh with the same features as Ornex. Designed for the commercial grower. Available in 5/8"x3/4" mesh.

• Roll sizes available: 14' x 5,000' and 17' x 5,000'

2. Woven Netting for Crop Protection

Multiple strands of UV stabilized black polypropylene yarns are woven into a flexible and long-lasting hexagonal shaped mesh. This soft, knitted small mesh netting is ideal for protecting berries and fruits. It creates a physical barrier between the birds and your valuable crops. Larger size rolls will make the installation job easier for you. You won't have to piece several smaller pieces together.

• 1/2" mesh - 25' x 100' rolls
• 3/4" mesh - 25' x 100', 50' x 150' and 50' x 200' rolls
• 1" mesh - 12' x 100', 25' x 100' and 50' x 150' rolls

Both the extruded and woven meshes will give your gardens and crops excellent protection from marauding birds. Why share when your share can be all?

What is Yard Gard? 

Yard Gard is a general term used for a type of fence that encloses a yard. But not all Yard Gard products are created equal. We recommend black vinyl coated welded wire fencing, also known as Yard Gard. The vinyl coating helps the fence stand up to the elements so it doesn't rust as quickly which also ensures the fence will stay looking better longer. Aesthetically, the black color helps the fence blend into the surrounding environment. Black coating "hides" a fence better than green vinyl coating in most environments. The welds of the fence make the fence strong, so it doesn't bend. If you choose smaller openings, the fence will be more difficult to climb for critters. Also, there are no sharp edges to injure people or animals.

Excellent Security

Vinyl coated welded wire yard and garden fencing are simply superior: 

1. Vinyl protects against the elements.
2. Black vinyl helps the fence blend into the environment.
3. Welds help create a very strong fence.
4. Smaller openings prevent fence climbing.
5. No sharp edges keep people and animals protected.

So Many Reasons

In other words, high-quality vinyl coated wire meshes are strong and durable - perfect for lawn and garden fencing, pet enclosures, boundary fence, children's play areas and many other uses. The heavy, resilient, flexible black PVC coating is permanently bonded to the galvanized core wire. It will not crack or peel and is unaffected by extreme temperatures. UV inhibitors retard degradation from sunlight. With the double protection of galvanized core wires and vinyl coating, these lawn and garden fence meshes will withstand the elements for many years. Be forewarned: big box stores will supply the cheapest quality fencing with vinyl coating that can be substandard. 

Three mesh sizes are available: 2" x 2", 1-1/2" x 4" and 2" x 4". The narrow mesh openings discourage fence climbing. We also offer different gauges: 11, 12 1/2, 14 and 16. Check out our Lawn & Garden fences.