You don’t need to raise poultry to recognize the usefulness of chicken wire. This mesh fencing is a favorite for coops because it’s easy to trim and very affordable — you can snag 32 feet for about $20.
But don’t underestimate chicken wire just because it’s inexpensive and unassuming. This wire comes in various gauges and patterns, making it an ideal material for both garden tasks and decorative projects.
Start thinking beyond the coop with these inventive chicken wire applications.
26 Clever Uses for Chicken Wire
Whether you use chicken wire outdoors or bring it inside for a farmhouse touch, picking up a roll at the hardware store is always handy. Here are 26 ways to put chicken wire to work.
- Privacy screen
- Vertical gardening
- DIY yard sculptures
- Pest control
- Concrete reinforcement
- Compost or waste bin
- Bird feeder
- Chicken wire baskets
- Jar or glass cozies
- Kitchen or pantry cupboards
- Chicken wire frames
- Chicken wire sconce or lampshade
- Magazine rack
- Firewood storage
- Chicken wire cloche
- Chicken wire shelves
- Treetop star
- Holiday wreaths
- Holiday card display
- Christmas trees
- Lighted Christmas balls
- Chicken wire pumpkins
- Chicken wire ghosts
- Jewelry organizer
- Chicken wire terrariums
- Papier-mâché projects
How to Use Chicken Wire in the Garden and Outdoors
Grab a roll of chicken wire and you’ll discover plenty of outdoor uses for this versatile netting.
1. Privacy Screen
Tight urban yards can make privacy elusive. Build a screen using 2x4s and chicken wire to block unwelcome views. Train climbing plants or vines through the mesh to create a green, secluded retreat.
2. Vertical Gardening
On a balcony or small patio, chicken wire helps plants grow upward. Create a trellised planter with the mesh to maximize limited space.
3. DIY Yard Sculptures
If you can imagine it, chicken wire can form it. Use it to craft garden spheres, oversized butterflies, or other sculptural pieces. If you’re just starting out, this chicken wire art tutorial is a solid introduction.
4. Pest Control
Chicken wire doesn’t only keep chickens contained — it also deters pests like rodents and rabbits. To stop animals that burrow, bury the fencing six inches or more below the soil.
5. Concrete Reinforcement
While structural concrete work is for professionals, you can borrow the same technique to make concrete planters and small structures. Learn how to shape and cure chicken wire concrete projects here.
6. Compost or Waste Bin
Need a place for compost, yard debris, or leaves? Skip the pricey bags and form a bin from chicken wire. You can even fashion a lid so your compost stays contained.
7. Bird Feeder
Galvanized chicken wire can be turned into a budget-friendly bird feeder, like the example in this guide. Make sure the openings are large enough for birds to peck but small enough to retain the feed.
How to Use Chicken Wire in the Kitchen
Move into the kitchen, where chicken wire can be repurposed into a variety of practical DIYs.
8. Chicken Wire Baskets
If you need a place for fruit or bread, chicken wire can do the job. You can make baskets similar to pricey store-bought versions with inexpensive supplies.
9. Jar or Glass Cozies
Try wrapping glass jars in chicken wire to create sleeves. They improve grip and add a charming rustic touch for backyard get-togethers; see this idea here.
10. Kitchen or Pantry Cupboards
Find an old cabinet with a missing door? Chicken wire makes a cost-effective replacement for panes or doors and gives open shelving a farmhouse vibe. Learn more here.
How to Use Chicken Wire for Home Decor
Take inventory of your projects — there are likely opportunities to use chicken wire in stylish, practical ways.
11. Chicken Wire Frames
Stretch chicken wire across an empty frame for simple yet useful decor. Attach small clothespins to create a photo display, memo board, and more.
12. Chicken Wire Sconce or Lampshade
Chicken wire works well as a minimalist light fixture. Use it to build a wall sconce, a hanging lamp, or a DIY chicken wire lampshade.
13. Magazine Rack
Instead of buying one, wrap magazines and reading materials in a chicken wire holder. This tutorial demonstrates how to fasten a chicken wire magazine rack to a rustic wood board.
14. Firewood Storage
Use chicken wire to fashion firewood carriers. Shape a basket for indoor logs or build an outdoor mesh bag to keep wood dry and tidy; here’s an example here.
15. Chicken Wire Cloche
Create open cloches to cover decorative items or plants with a simple chicken wire dome — this video guide shows how to form one.
16. Chicken Wire Shelves
On a tight budget, embrace an industrial-farmhouse look with chicken wire-backed shelves. Use wood for structure and the wire as backing and reinforcement.
How to Use Chicken Wire for Seasonal Decor
Why spend a lot on once-a-year decorations? Chicken wire is an inexpensive way to craft seasonal accents.
17. Tree Topper Star
Make a DIY tree-top star with chicken wire for a rustic Christmas touch. Assemble a star frame from wood or branches, bind the joints with twine, and use wire for the backing — see a method here.
18. Holiday Wreath
Because it’s easy to shape, chicken wire is a great wreath base. Use it as a structural wrap or as a frame for ribbons, greenery, and other embellishments.
19. Holiday Card Display
Stop holiday cards from sliding off the refrigerator by mounting a chicken wire frame and clipping cards to it. See a holiday card display idea here.
20. Christmas Tree
If the price of a fresh or fake tree makes you wince, construct a chicken wire Christmas tree.
It’s an affordable, allergy-friendly option that’s fully customizable. Create a floor-to-ceiling design that can be wrapped with ribbon and lights, zipped up for storage, and redecorated each year. Thread ribbon through the mesh, secure lights with zip ties, top with a bow, and hang ornaments.
There are many ways to build one, such as:
- Tabletop chicken wire tree
- Illuminated chicken wire tree
- Newspaper-wrapped chicken wire tree
- Framed chicken wire tree
21. Lighted Christmas Balls
Form chicken wire spheres, weave in string lights, and hang them from eaves or trees for glowing holiday decor. Here’s a DIY on making lighted chicken wire balls.
22. Chicken Wire Pumpkins
Beyond Christmas, craft pumpkins from chicken wire for fall table displays or larger porch-ready pieces that won’t rot or make a mess; learn how here.
23. Chicken Wire Ghosts
Create full-size lawn ghosts with chicken wire frames and drapery. HGTV provides a tutorial on safely shaping and covering the wire forms.
Other Great Uses for Chicken Wire
Have leftover chicken wire? These craft projects stretch a small amount of mesh into useful items.
24. Jewelry Organizer
Attach fine-mesh chicken wire to a picture frame to build an inexpensive organizer for earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry — see a simple tutorial here.
25. Chicken Wire Terrarium
Use chicken wire as a breathable cover for succulents or as a creative display piece. Try a wire cloche terrarium or follow this video demo for more ideas.
26. Papier-Mâché Projects
Chicken wire provides a durable armature for papier-mâché sculptures, like the bison head. From ornaments to large display pieces, the wire framework helps maintain shape and strength.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Chicken wire is a hexagonal mesh available in a range of hole sizes (mesh) and thicknesses (gauge). You can find multiple sizes at reasonable prices both online and in stores. Most hardware retailers, including Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Ace Hardware, offer same-day pickup or delivery options.
Prices vary by gauge and length, but you can buy about 40 feet of chicken wire for roughly $30. For outdoor applications, choose galvanized chicken wire to resist rust.
Cut chicken wire with wire cutters or heavy-duty scissors for thinner gauges. The tricky part is keeping the roll steady as you cut; secure one end with twine or a weight and unroll while cutting from the other side — here’s a handy cutting guide.
Samira Blake is a senior writer at Savinly.
