Chickens are great to have around the house however you soon learn that they need to be contained. Even they prefer that. It protects them from running away and from animals that might want dinner!
Here’s an instructional on how to build chicken wire fencing.
Everything needed for chicken wire fencing is available from North Geelong Timber Supplies at great prices.
If you need prices or want to check stock please contact us via our form or on 5278 9464.
Chicken Wire Fencing – Materials List
- Posts – Treated pine posts are probably your best bet and are very cost effective. You can also use hardwood, old fence posts from another property or even metal poles from an old stucture. Depending on where it’s located, most chicken wire fencing doesn’t need perfect materials as it’s down the back of the property.
- Chicken Wire – Wire comes in many shapes and sizes however there are particular rolls that are designed to keep chickens in and other animals out. Ask us in store for the right size.
- Baling Wire – Wire (or ties) to attach the mesh to the posts. This also comes in rolls that can be cut into pieces. If you are using timber posts you can also use nails or a heavy duty staple gun to attach the mesh to the wooden posts
- Concrete – We recommend setting posts in concrete. You can create chicken wire fencing without concrete using stakes and other methods though it’s not the best solution in all situations. For example a large dog can take down temporarily staked chicken wire fencing pretty quickly.
- Shovel (or post hole digger)
- String line
- Bundle of stakes
- A ready made gate or additional timber and hinges to make a gate from scratch
Chicken Wire Fencing – Instructions
Work out where you want your fence to go. Mark the lines by pushing wooden stakes into the ground and tying string from stake to stake. Take the time to measure and square everything off so it’s in line with your fences and/or adjacent structures.
Lay the posts down where you want them standing. The closer they are, the stronger the chicken wire fencing will be. 2 metres is probably about as far apart as you want them. If you’re having a gate, make sure two posts are set out at the width of the gate plus a little so it can move on the hinges.
Dig out your post holes. There’s a great calculator found here that will help you work out how much to dig out and the amount of concrete needed.
Set the posts with concrete. Put a few rocks or gravel in the bottom of the hole, then put the post in. This is easier with two people. You can mix the concrete in a wheel barrow or in the hole depending on your preference, just make sure you follow the instructions on the packet so that the concrete is the right consistency. This will ensure it sets strong.
Secure. Once the post is set in concrete use some spare timber or dirt to keep the post in place.
Regular concrete is ready in 24 hours, quick-set is done in 20 minutes though it’s worth leaving it at least an hour.
Attach the wire to the posts. There are many ways to do this but we recommend button head screws. This way the structure can be easily altered or disassembled without damaging the wire. Fix in at least 3 spots on the post (top, middle,bottom). Then stretch the fencing as tightly as possible against the next post and repeat.
Don’t forget to dig it in! Vermin and other animals are pretty creative and will get in under the wire unless you’ve dug it into the ground.
Install the gate and then you’re done!