Poultry netting, commonly recognized as chicken wire, is a familiar and widely used fencing material. This lightweight, flexible wire mesh is often the first solution considered for creating simple barriers or enclosures. Its popularity stems from its affordability, ease of handling, and versatility across domestic and agricultural applications. It serves as a straightforward option for quick, manageable fencing solutions for temporary or low-security needs.
Defining Poultry Netting
Poultry netting is defined by its construction of thin, pliable wire twisted together to form a hexagonal pattern. This distinct weave provides the material with high flexibility, allowing it to be easily manipulated, rolled, and contoured around irregular shapes. The interlocking twist design means that if the netting is cut, the surrounding wires generally remain intact, unlike some alternative fencing materials. While this design facilitates installation, it contributes to the material’s lower overall strength compared to more rigid fence types.
Construction Materials and Specifications
The primary material used in poultry netting is thin, low-carbon steel wire. Since steel is prone to rust, most commercial netting is finished with a protective layer, usually through galvanization (coating the steel with zinc) for improved weather resistance. Some options also feature a vinyl or PVC coating over the galvanized wire, adding a further layer of protection against corrosion.
Two specifications are important when selecting this material: wire gauge and mesh size. Wire gauge indicates the thickness of the wire; a higher gauge number signifies a thinner wire, typically ranging from 19 to 22 gauge. Mesh size refers to the diameter of the hexagonal opening, with common sizes being one inch or two inches. This combination of thin wire and relatively large mesh openings keeps the material lightweight and economical.
Primary Uses and Limitations
The most common application for poultry netting is the temporary containment of small, non-aggressive fowl, such as chickens, ducks, or quail, within a defined run. Its light weight and flexibility make it ideal for establishing quick boundaries or dividing sections within an existing coop structure. Beyond animal husbandry, the netting is frequently used as a simple protective barrier in gardens to deter small pests like rabbits and deer. In construction, it finds use as a substrate, or lath, providing a supportive mesh for plaster or stucco finishes.
A significant limitation of poultry netting is its poor effectiveness as a predator barrier. The thin wire and large mesh openings offer little resistance to determined predators like foxes, raccoons, or coyotes, which can easily tear, chew through, or push past the fence. It is also ineffective at deterring rodents, which readily pass through the one- or two-inch openings. While adequate for keeping animals in, it is considered insufficient for keeping predators out.
How Poultry Netting Differs from Other Fencing
Hardware Cloth
Poultry netting is often confused with hardware cloth, a much sturdier material. Hardware cloth is characterized by a square or rectangular weave and significantly smaller mesh openings, typically a quarter-inch or half-inch. This tighter pattern and thicker wire diameter make hardware cloth far more effective at excluding small predators and rodents, a function poultry netting cannot reliably perform.
Welded Wire Fencing
Welded wire fencing is another alternative that offers greater rigidity and strength than poultry netting. In welded wire, the horizontal and vertical wires are permanently fixed at each intersection, creating a more robust and permanent structure. This construction provides greater structural integrity and longevity compared to the twisted-weave design. The strength and durability of welded wire fencing make it suitable for containing larger livestock or creating permanent, more secure enclosures.