Make An Affordable Chicken Wire Fence

Chicken wire is a very versatile, inexpensive way to put up a quick fence to keep small animals like chickens and rabbits contained. They can be built rather quickly and are very easy to work with.

Making a chicken wire fence is well within the realm of any do-it-yourselfer or budding small farmer. With a few simple tools, pieces of lumber and time, you can build your affordable chicken wire fence.

Step One - Determine Positioning of Fence

Find out where on your property you are going to install your chicken wire fence. One of the many benefits of chicken wire fencing is that your dimensions to not have to exact. Chicken wire is a pliable material that bends very easily. You can make a round pen if you want because the wire goes around trees easily. Mark out the outline of your fence with landscape paint.

Step Two - Dig Holes for Wooden Stakes

Dig holes large enough to use the 2x4's for the stakes to hold up your fencing. The holes do not need to be very deep but should have a depth of at least 10 to 12 inches to make sure the 2x4's are firm in the ground. Make sure they holes are six feet apart from each other.

Step Three - Place Stakes in Holes

As you are digging each hole, place the stakes in the holes and stamp the ground around them. Pack the dirt in tightly and make sure the stakes are straight.

Step Four - Install Top and Bottom Rails

Cut your 1x1 lumber to the length of your stakes and screw them to the bottom and top of each stake. This will make a stable platform to nail the chicken wire to and give the wire some firmness.

Step Five - Roll out Chicken Wire

Roll out the chicken wire. Start with the edge of your fence and measure out a 6-foot piece. Cut it, using the tin snips. Make the cuts as straight as you can and wear gloves as the cut chicken wire can scratch.

Step Six - Staple Chicken Wire to Rails

Start at the corner of your fence and staple the chicken wire along the post. Keep it tight and begin rolling it out along the top rail and staple every 10 inches. Pull it tight along the bottom edge of the bottom rail and staple there in the same 10 inch distance. Work your way around the entire perimiter of the fence.

Step Seven - Build Gate

Build a simple square frame out of 1x1 boards to fit the size between the last two posts. Use the wood screws and place the top and bottom rails over the sides. Cut out a piece of chicken wire to fit the frame and staple securely around the gate. Attach hinges to the top and bottom side and secure to last post. Screw on a latch to keep the gate shut.