Do you need a versatile material that can adapt to varying uses? Chicken mesh fits the bill! Keep a roll of chicken mesh in your garage or shed and you will have the perfect medium to work with in the home or outdoors.

Read on and discover what exactly is chicken mesh and what can you use it for!

What Is Chicken Mesh?

Chicken mesh is a fine wire that is super flexible and is woven into a net using a hexagonal pattern. Its original use was to create pens for chickens and other small animals, hence the name! Chicken wire fencing was used to stop the chickens from escaping, and provided some protection to stop predators from attacking.

However, chicken mesh wire has developed today to become a flexible material used in hardware and crafts. The best chicken wire meshing is galvanised wire mesh, preventing corrosion and protecting against the elements.

What Is the Use of Chicken Mesh?

Chicken mesh is used to create pens for chickens, to prevent plastered walls from cracking, and as a flexible medium when making crafts.

1.  Chicken Coops

This versatile netting is perfect for creating chicken coops and poultry pens. Galvanised steel wire is used to prevent rusting and is strong enough for the chicken netting not to snap or break. 

However, if the chicken mesh is used on pet cages or aviary mesh fencing, the zinc used in new galvanised wire mesh wire can cause harm to animals. Therefore, it is recommended to shave the zinc spikes off the mesh and then scrub the mesh with a vinegar solution.

Chicken wire fencing uses hexagonal holes in the pattern, typically measuring 12mm in diameter across each hex. A 1200mm x 50m chicken wire roll is a great choice for a light-duty material.

2.  Plastering

Chicken mesh is a key hardware tool used by plasterers worldwide. When plastering, the chicken mesh is placed where a wall and column junction meet. Due to heat expansion, plaster may crack when it is fresh, so the chicken mesh is used to prevent that from occurring.

Chicken mesh strengthens the plaster and ensures that a complete bond is formed between the column and the wall. It is also a lightweight material that is easy to use for a plasterer, and which is not too heavy that it will fall off the wall.

So, how else can chicken wire mesh help a plasterer will their job? Well, the hexagonal pattern of the mesh also plays a part in preventing internal stresses from occurring inside the plaster. This pattern is tough and it is durable when cut.

The hex aperture wire diameter will need to reach at least 12mm to be effective for use within plastering. Choose an 1800mm x 50m chicken wire roll for your plastering project.

3.  Crafts and Hobbies

Chicken mesh wire is an amazing material to use when making your own baskets, message boards, and floral arrangements. Being a pliable medium with an on-trend hex design, you can use chicken mesh for designs across your home. 

You could also use chicken wire mesh for your garden trellising and other garden use, securing plant protection and even fences.

How about creating a sculpture that you can dangle jewels from? Or a floral display to shape your plants? Visit Trade Warehouse and purchase a 900mm x 50m chicken wire roll for your craft tasks!

What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Chicken Mesh?

Chicken mesh is a flexible and strong material. It can easily be used for chicken coops and pens to stop your animals from escaping. However, due to its bendable properties, the chicken wire may not prevent a predatory attack and so your chickens may be at risk. Using hardware mesh or hardware cloth is a better choice for security issues.

The cost of chicken wire mesh is quite low in contrast with other materials, however. You can purchase a large 50m roll for a low cost online at Trade Warehouse.

Chicken wire mesh is the perfect material for plastering jobs, however, preventing cracks and protecting against thermal expansion. It is lightweight to work on the walls without falling, and the hexagonal pattern offers a tight and secure fit.

Chicken wire is also perfect for your hobbies, offering a superb medium to produce sculptures and flower arrangements. Create something great for your home!

Pros of Chicken Wire	Cons of Chicken Wire
Low in price	Not strong enough to prevent predators
Flexible and pliable	Chickens may get their toes stuck in the wire
Strong and secure	Broken wires may hurt chickens
Versatile
Use in plastering
Use for chicken coops
Use for crafts, hobbies, and gardening

 

Is Wire Mesh the Same as Chicken Wire?

Wire mesh and chicken wire are not the same but do have similarities and differences. Wire mesh is often referred to as hardware mesh and is notably different due to its square grid shape. You can immediately recognise hardware mesh as the chicken mesh is almost always a hexagonal pattern.

Hardware wire mesh is available in stainless steel, bare steel, or galvanised steel. It is much stronger than chicken mesh and may offer better protection to your chicken coop. Due to these tougher properties, hardware wire mesh is less flexible and lightweight than chicken wire mesh.

What Is the Size of Chicken Wire Mesh?

Standard rolls of chicken mesh will measure 50m in length and will provide a 12mm diameter hex across its pattern. Although you can purchase varying widths of chicken wire mesh, such as 900mm, 12mm, and 1800mm, depending on the size you require.

What Can I Use Instead of Chicken Wire?

For your chicken coop, hardware mesh and hardware cloth are two alternatives that provide a stronger, secure pen for your animals. Chicken wire fencing does easily bend and could fall apart in some cases and possibly harm your chickens. Hardware mesh and hardware cloth are tougher materials that will prevent any predator attack.

Hardware cloth is welded and is even stronger than hardware mesh. It is recommended to cover chicken coop windows with hardware cloth to make sure that predatory birds and animals do not gain access to your chickens.

Visit Trade Warehouse for Your Chicken Wire!

Trade Warehouse in Australia are experts in their field! You can find a vast range of chicken wire and other options for whatever project you are undertaking. Check out the latest range of new products and strong and flexible netting available today!

Frequently Asked Questions

What frequently asked questions should you ask before purchasing chicken mesh wire?

Can I use chicken mesh wire in poultry yards?

Yes, a chicken mesh is a great tool to use in your poultry yard due to the light-duty applications and flexibility it offers. 

Although, for chicken enclosures, chicken wire mesh may result in possible harm from predators. Additional protection is recommended, securing your chicken enclosures with hardware mesh or hardware cloth.

Can I use chicken wire mesh for a pet cage?

Chicken mesh can be used for a pet cage, although galvanised material may harm your animals. Remove excess zinc with a utility knife before washing thoroughly with a mild solution of vinegar in a bucket.

What size of chicken netting is best?

Most chicken netting is measured in 50m lengths, but you can choose the length you need. It is possible to purchase 900mm, 1200mm, and 1800mm widths from Trade Warehouse to match your project brief. The hex aperture wire diameter size will usually measure 12mm.