How to Tighten Chicken Wire

Chicken wire is one of the most economical types of wire fencing, used to build pens with which to cage small animals like chickens--hence "chicken wire." It is also used to encase gardens and land. The most difficult part of constructing something from chicken wire, though, is tightening the wire. Keeping chicken wire tight is essential to the practical function of your chicken wire construction.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Stakes
• Chicken wire

1. Secure the first end of the chicken wire to the first stake. If the stake is wooden, staple the chicken wire; if it is metal, open the hooks and place the chicken wire into the hooks before closing them.

2. Pull the chicken wire out to the next stake, and wrap it around the outside of the stake to tighten it.

3. Keeping the chicken wire pulled tight around the stake, secure the chicken wire to the stake, and repeat the process for each stake until your entire chicken wire construction is built to ensure that the wire remains taut.

Tips & Warnings

• Tightening chicken wire before securing it to stakes is easier to do with two people: one to hold the wire tight and another to secure it.
• Beware of securing chicken wire too loosely.

References

• Happy Living: How to Instal Garden Fencing
• Homestead Fencing Basics