Will Chicken Wire Keep Deer Out of a Garden?

Discover how chicken wire can save your garden vegetables from nibbling garden pests.

Deer often prove themselves more damaging than insects and plant diseases, as they both nibble and trample entire plants, crops and gardens in a matter of days. To keep deer away from plants, many gardeners try different fencing methods and materials, including chicken wire.

Significance

Deer jump to heights up to 8 feet and over similar horizontal distances, making short garden fences virtually ineffective when deer want in badly enough. The most effective deer-proof fences are tall structures between 8 and 10 feet and made from various materials including metal strands of electric fence, plastic mesh and even chicken wire.

Considerations

Chicken wire is an easily pliable material that deer can easily knock over and bend when used to create a tall deer fence. Chicken wire garden fencing is not a foolproof method to keep deer out of the garden. However, the effectiveness can be improved by placing wooden or metal posts within 3 to 4 feet of each other to offer more support for the wire.

Expert Insight

The Oregon State University's Extension Service further recommends creating individual fencing for young plants as additional protection from deer. A section of chicken wire rolled and tied to create a tube can be attached to stakes set 6 inches to 2 feet away from plant stems. These small fences prevent deer from jumping into the "mini-gardens" and small holes in the chicken wire prevent rabbits and other pest animals.

References

• Oregon State University Extension: Reduce Deer Damage in Your Yard
• Colorado State University Extension: Preventing Deer Damage
• Univeristy of California-Davis: How to Manage Pests in Gardens and Landscapes -- Deer

Resources

• "Fine Gardening": Deer-Proof Electric Fence