6 Best Brands Of Chicken Wire Netting That Old Farmers Swear By

Walking out to the coop only to find a hole in the wire is a nightmare every hobby farmer fears. Choosing the right netting isn’t just about keeping birds in; it’s about creating a perimeter that stands up to weather and hungry predators. These six brands have earned their place in barns across the country because they actually do the job they promise.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Yardgard Poultry Netting: The Classic Farmer Choice

Yardgard is the brand you’ll see in almost every local hardware store for a reason. It’s the quintessential hexagonal mesh that defines the "chicken wire" look for most beginners. While it’s lightweight and easy to handle, you have to remember it’s primarily for containment, not high-security protection.

If you’re just trying to keep your layers out of the vegetable garden, this is your best bet. It’s affordable enough to buy in bulk without breaking the farm budget. Just don’t expect it to stop a determined raccoon who has all night to work on a weak spot.

Amagabeli Hardware Cloth for Maximum Security

When you need to upgrade from simple netting to something that stops predators, Amagabeli hardware cloth is the gold standard. This isn’t your standard hex mesh; it’s a welded square grid that provides maximum security against small paws and sharp teeth.

The 1/2-inch spacing is the sweet spot for most hobby setups. It’s small enough to keep snakes out but heavy enough that it won’t sag under its own weight. Use this for the bottom two feet of your run and any windows on the coop itself.

Keep in mind that hardware cloth is stiffer and harder to cut than poultry netting. You’ll need a good pair of tin snips and some patience to get the edges flush. The extra effort pays off when you sleep through a stormy night knowing the flock is safe.

Fencer Wire Hexagonal Mesh for Easy Installation

Fencer Wire specializes in a hexagonal mesh that feels a bit more "forgiving" during the rollout process. Some brands tend to curl back on themselves like a spring, but this wire lays relatively flat. This makes it a top choice for solo projects where you don’t have an extra set of hands to hold the tension.

The flexibility is a lifesaver when you’re dealing with uneven terrain or custom-built frames. It wraps around corners easily without kinking or snapping the galvanized coating.

Consider these factors when choosing Fencer Wire:

• Gauge thickness (20-gauge is standard for light duty).
• Roll length vs. your total perimeter needs.
• Ease of stapling to wooden posts.

MTB Supply Galvanized Wire for Permanent Pens

If you are building a permanent pen that you want to last for a decade, MTB Supply is the heavy-hitter. Their galvanized wire is often thicker than the "big box" alternatives. This added mass makes it ideal for structures that won’t be moved or adjusted.

The galvanization process they use is thorough, meaning the joints are well-protected against moisture. In a permanent setup, the wire often sits in contact with damp ground, making rust resistance your number one priority.

Because this wire is stiffer, it supports its own weight better over long spans. You can often get away with fewer support posts, which saves you money on lumber in the long run.

Tenax C-Flex Plastic Netting for Portable Coops

Not every enclosure needs to be made of metal. Tenax C-Flex is a high-strength plastic netting that is a game-changer for portable chicken tractors. It’s incredibly lightweight, which means you won’t throw your back out moving the coop to fresh grass every morning.

Unlike metal, plastic won’t rust or develop sharp "burrs" that can snag your clothes or injure the birds. It’s surprisingly UV-resistant, so it won’t get brittle and crack after one summer in the sun.

The tradeoff here is obviously strength against large predators. Use Tenax for overhead cover to stop hawks or for daytime runs where you are nearby. It’s a specialized tool for a specific type of mobile farming.

Gilbert & Bennett Poultry Wire for Rust Control

Rust is the silent killer of any farm fence. Gilbert & Bennett have built a reputation on their coating process, ensuring their poultry wire survives through wet winters and humid summers. If you live in a coastal area or a place with high rainfall, this is the brand to hunt for.

Their wire maintains its structural integrity even when the outer layer takes a beating. You won’t see that ugly orange streak appearing six months after installation.

Investing in better coating upfront saves you the labor of tearing down and replacing brittle wire later. It’s a classic case of paying a little more now to save a lot later.

How to Install Your Yardgard Netting Correctly

Proper installation of Yardgard netting starts with a trench. If you just staple it to the bottom rail, a fox will dig under it in five minutes. Dig a 6-inch deep trench and bury the bottom of the wire, or flare it outward in an "L" shape to discourage diggers.

When stapling to your posts, start from the center and work your way out to the edges. This prevents the wire from "bubbling" or sagging in the middle. Use a fence tensioning tool or a simple 2×4 to pull the mesh taut before driving in your final staples.

Key Installation Tips:

• Overlap seams by at least three inches.
• Use heavy-duty galvanized staples.
• Check for tension every few feet to ensure a professional finish.

Cleaning Your Amagabeli Mesh to Prevent Damage

Keeping your Amagabeli mesh clean is about more than just aesthetics. Over time, mud, chicken droppings, and wet leaves can trap moisture against the wire. This speeds up the breakdown of the protective zinc coating and leads to premature failure.

A simple stiff-bristled brush and a bucket of water are usually all you need. Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners that might react with the galvanization or harm your birds. Just scrub away the debris once a season to let the wire "breathe."

While you clean, keep an eye out for any broken welds or spots where a predator might have tried to chew through. Catching these small issues early allows you to patch the mesh before a minor weakness becomes a major breach.

Choosing the right wire is the foundation of a stress-free hobby farm. By matching the brand to your specific needs—whether it’s security, portability, or longevity—you ensure your flock stays safe and your workload stays manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best gauge chicken wire netting for predator protection?

Nineteen-gauge or twenty-gauge wire is the standard thickness for chicken wire netting, but heavier sixteen-gauge wire offers the best protection against large predators. Standard twenty-gauge hexagonal wire holds birds inside a run but tears easily against dog or coyote teeth. Farmers typically reserve sixteen-gauge poultry netting or half-inch welded wire for high-risk perimeter fencing, while using twenty-gauge wire over the coop ceiling to block hawks and owls.

What does galvanized after weave chicken wire netting mean?

Galvanized after weave chicken wire netting refers to steel mesh that is woven into shape first and then completely submerged into a bath of molten zinc. This hot-dip process thoroughly seals the twisted joints, preventing moisture from settling into microscopic crevices where raw steel would otherwise rust. Mesh treated with this method resists corrosion up to three times longer than wire that was galvanized before weaving.

How do I bury chicken wire netting to stop digging predators?

Bury chicken wire netting at least twelve inches deep underground, or bend it outward into an apron that extends twelve inches flat along the ground surface. Dig an L-shaped trench around the coop base using a spade, secure the upright netting to your framing posts with galvanized staples, and pin the bottom skirt flat with ground stakes before backfilling the dirt. This barrier stops digging predators like foxes, skunks, and stray dogs.

How long does galvanized chicken wire netting last outdoors on a farm?

Quality galvanized chicken wire netting lasts between five and twenty years outdoors, depending on the zinc coating method and local climate. Standard galvanized-before-weave netting in wet, humid regions often starts rusting within three to five years. Heavy-duty wire dipped in zinc after weaving, or netting coated in black PVC, regularly survives fifteen to twenty years on open pasture without structural failure.

Is chicken wire netting better than hardware cloth for a chicken coop?

Hardware cloth is significantly better than chicken wire netting for securing coop openings, windows, and ground-level predator zones. Chicken wire netting only serves to keep chickens inside an enclosure because raccoons, foxes, and rats can bite through or pull apart its flexible twenty-gauge twisted strands. Welded hardware cloth uses rigid sixteen-gauge or nineteen-gauge steel mesh that withstands direct predator attacks, making it the safer choice for night quarters.

How much does a 100-foot roll of heavy-duty chicken wire netting cost?

A 100-foot roll of heavy-duty chicken wire netting typically costs between $40 and $110, depending on the wire gauge and protective coating. Standard 20-gauge galvanized rolls measuring 36 inches wide sit at the lower end around $45 at farm supply stores. Premium 16-gauge or vinyl-coated netting rolls measuring 48 to 72 inches wide reach upwards of $90 to $120 due to the thicker steel and corrosion resistance.

Why is my chicken wire netting rusting and sagging after one winter?

Premature rusting and sagging occur when netting is under-tensioned during installation and made from low-grade galvanized-before-weave steel. Chicken manure also contains high levels of ammonia, which eats through thin zinc coatings when netting contacts the coop floor directly. To fix this, tighten loose runs using a fencing tension bar, elevate the wire two inches off wet litter, and apply cold-galvanizing zinc spray over rusty spots.

Is traditional chicken wire netting safe enough to protect chickens from raccoons?

Traditional chicken wire netting is not safe against raccoons because adult raccoons can easily reach through the one-inch hexagonal gaps or rip open the thin wire. Raccoons routinely reach through standard poultry mesh to grab and kill birds that roost too close to the perimeter. For predator-proof safety, line the bottom four feet of the coop with half-inch galvanized hardware cloth secured by heavy screws and washers.