How to Attach Chicken Wire to Bottom of Fence

Below you will find a step-by-step guide on how to attach chicken wire to bottom of fence on different materials.

• Experience Required: Low
• Tools Required: Protective gloves, Wire cutter, Tape measure, Hammer (if using staples), Spade (additional)
• Materials Required: Chicken wire mesh, Staples (for wood) or Cable ties (for metal), Pegs

Step 1) Identify & Measure Your Location

• Measure the length of the location where you plan to attach the netting.
• When measuring the height, be sure to include a few extra centimeters to allow for overlap with the existing fencing.

Step 2) Cut Down Mesh (if applicable)

• Use wire cutters to cut the netting to the measured length.
• Be sure to leave a few extra centimeters for overlap, ensuring a secure fit when attaching the netting to your existing mesh.

Step 3A) Attach Chicken Wire to an Existing Wooden Fence

• When working on how to attach chicken wire to bottom of fence, start at one end, pull the netting taut against the barrier.
• For wooden fences, use staples to secure the mesh, placing them at 15cm intervals to ensure a firm and even attachment.

Step 3B) Secure Chicken Wire to an Existing Metal Netting

• For metal fences, such as chicken wire, chain link, or welded mesh, create an overlap.
• Use cable ties to secure the overlapping sections, placing the cable ties at 15 cm intervals to ensure a strong and stable connection.

Step 4) Secure Netting to Posts

• While attaching chicken wire to fence, ensure you secure it to the posts as well.
• Use staples for wooden posts and cable ties for metal or T posts.
• Make sure that it remains straight and taut throughout the process.

Step 5) Secure to the Ground

• Secure the netting to the ground by pegging it down every 60 centimeters.
• Insert pegs into the ground, making sure the hook catches the bottom of the netting.

Step 6) Optional: Dig a Trench and Bury Mesh

• Dig a trench along the fence line, approximately 15-30 cm deep.
• Place the bottom edge of the netting into the trench.
• Backfill the trench with soil, pressing it down tightly to hold the netting in place and stop animals from burrowing under it.

Tips

Before starting the process of how to attach chicken wire to bottom of fence, it’s important to plan carefully and consider a few key factors. The points below are based on our team’s experience designing and installing different fencing.

• You can use cable ties as a temporary measure to secure the netting to the wooden posts before securing it with staples.
• Ensure to pull the mesh taut without overstretching it when securing to maintain its stability. Overstretching can weaken the mesh, increasing the likelihood of it breaking under pressure.
• Use PVC coated mesh to enhance corrosion and weather resistance. This significantly extends the lifespan of the netting, ensuring durability even in harsh outdoor conditions.
• Bury the bottom edge of the mesh several centimeters underground to deter animals from digging underneath.

FURTHER READING

• How to Attach Chicken Wire to Posts and Different Materials – Step by step instructions on how to attach netting to different materials.
• Cutting Chicken Wire – Learn how to cut netting using different methods.

Written By

This blog was created by our Technical Illustrator Timi and reviewed by our Technical Consultant, Erno.

Below you’ll find behind the scenes images of our real-life chicken wire attachment options, along with customer projects. We’ve opted for technical illustrations for the instructions found in this blog because they provide better clarity on mesh placement and structural details that can get lost in real-life photography.