The Fence Post

Sculptures Made with Chicken Wire?

There are many different uses for chicken wire. It is much more versatile than you might expect. Here, a unique practice is crafting the hexagonal netting into sculptured works of art. Ivan Lovatt, a sculptor from Australia, has created a stunning collection of artwork. Using galvanized chicken wire, he has made representations of both people and wildlife. A bust of John Lennon? Bring it on. This type of chicken wire is moldable with a neutral yet characteristic sheen. The small, light gauge mesh allows him to bend, fold, crease, and cut the mesh into its final shape. The result is an amazingly life-like rendition. Take a look at this video and see what you think:

A Wide Variety of Applications

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 ½" x 22 gauge, 1" x 18 gauge, and 1½ x 17 gauge.

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

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. Here are some conventional uses:

• 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

Yep, not just for chickens!

How many different ways can you think of using chicken wire? Have you tried using it that way?

 P.S. See the finished bust of John Lennon here.

What Kind of Garden Fence Do You Need?

Will you build a new garden fence this year?

Are you wondering what kind of fences will work well in your garden?

There are several different types of fences available that are excellent for gardens.

Welded Wire

These fences offer the most choices. They're available in a wide variety of:

• gauges - 16, 14 and 12½
• mesh sizes - ½" x ½", ½" x 1", 1" x 1", 1" x 2", 2" x 2" and 2" x 4"
• finishes - galvanized before weld (GBW), galvanized after weld (GAW) and vinyl coated (VC)

In addition to the standard specifications listed above, there are other styles of fences that are designed for use in and around the garden. Some of these have smaller mesh openings at the bottom of the fence to keep out small animals.

Black Vinyl-Coated Hexagonal Netting - Effective, Long-Lasting

Lighter in weight than welded wire products.

• gauges - 20 and 18 gauges
• mesh sizes - 1" and 2"
• finishes - GBW, GAW, and VC

• gauges - 14.5 and 12½
• mesh sizes - 1" x 6" through 7" x 12"
• finishes - galvanized, zinc/aluminum, and black-painted

Apron Fence - A Very Strategic Barrier

These fences have a 12" apron at the bottom of the roll. Lay this on top of the ground to form a barrier. Animals cannot dig under the fence and enter your garden.

• gauge - 17
• mesh size - 1½"
• finishes - GBW and VC

These fences are labor savers. There is no need to dig a trench and bury the wire. Vegetation grows up through the apron, securely attaching it to the ground. The animals trying to dig into your garden will not realize that they must start their digging 12" away from the fence.

Hardware cloth - Strong and Durable

• Vinyl-coated 19 gauge wire welded into ½" x ½" mesh will discourage the smallest animals
• The vinyl coating extends the lifetime of the fence
• Rolls are 100' in length
• Three heights are available: 24", 36" and 48"

What kinds of fences have you used to protect your garden?  Are you considering all the different types of fences that are available before making your choice?  Do you prefer one type over another?

Have you ever needed a truly heavy gauge chicken wire?

Do you want something stronger than 20 gauge galvanized before weave chicken wire fencing?

Are you frustrated by how quickly GBW hex mesh rusts and needs to be replaced? There's an alternative:

Galvanized After Weave Chicken Wire Fence: 18 gauge, 1" Hexagonal Mesh 

Made by Keystone Steel and Wire in Peoria, Illinois, this "saltwater netting" is woven from heavy 18 gauge wire. 18 gauge wire is more than 30% heavier than the 20 gauge chicken wire available in your local retail store. After the wire is woven into a hexagonal mesh with 1" openings, it is passed through a bath of molten zinc. It emerges with thick, durable rust and corrosion-resistant galvanized after weave (GAW) finish. The wires are thoroughly coated, including the twisted areas that tend to hold moisture.

Heavy chicken wire fence is available in 150' rolls. Widths are 36", 48" and 72". This mesh, designed for use in saltwater, will last for many, many years.

Excellent for:

• Poultry runs
• Garden fence
• Game bird pens
• Saltwater applications, such as crab pots
  

18 gauge heavy hex wire is a great option and if you want a chicken wire fence that will withstand the test of time, consider this product.

With Extensive Benefits:

• Initial higher cost is offset by the longer lifetime of the wire.
  
• Stronger, heavier wire will stand up longer to normal wear and tear.
• Frequency of repair and replacement is reduced.
• Heavy galvanization assures robust protection against rust and corrosion.

Have you ever had the opportunity to try GAW chicken wire fence?

Do you think it makes sense to pay more initially to avoid the cost and labor of repair and replacement?

Chicken Wire in Production   

The video below shows how chicken wire mesh is woven. You can see how the wires are twisted together to make a hexagonal opening. Chicken wire is also known as poultry netting or hexagonal netting.

The Continuous Weave Creates Inherent Strength

This particular machine is weaving mesh used in making gabions. Although the mesh is larger (3") and the wires used are heavier (11 gauge and heavier) than the chicken wire you can buy at your local store, the manufacturing process is similar.

There is one difference. This machine is doing continuous weave -  the twisted wires run in the same direction the entire length of the twist. Chicken wire available in stores is made with a reverse twist - the twist switches direction (reverses itself) halfway through the length of the twist. Continuous weave is inherently stronger than reverse twist. Good to know.

Is this the first time you have seen a loom weaving chicken wire?

Building it Yourself

This helpful video shows you one way of building a chicken wire run.

Chicken Wire Pulled Tight  

Stop Replacing Wire 

You can use black vinyl coated 1" hexagonal chicken wire for the added benefits of a longer-lasting product--reducing the cost, frequency, and hassle of replacement--plus a more attractive pen. The black coating of the wire makes the fence virtually invisible. You can see your birds through the fence more easily.

Do you have other ideas or suggestions about building a chicken run using chicken wire?