Chicken Wire Mesh: Instructions and Assembly

1. Preparation

Gather the chicken wire mesh, sharp wire cutters, heavy-duty gloves, measuring tape, and any necessary fasteners (such as zip ties, U-nails, or wire clips) according to your installation needs.

Measure the Area
Use the measuring tape to accurately measure the length and height of the area where you plan to install the chicken wire mesh.
Cut the Mesh
Put on heavy-duty gloves to protect your hands. Use sharp wire cutters to cut the chicken wire mesh to the desired size. The mesh is easy to cut, but be careful of sharp edges. You can cut it straight across or at an angle depending on your installation requirements.

For Garden or Poultry Fencing:
- Secure the Posts: First, install wooden or metal posts at appropriate intervals (usually every 3 - 6 feet) around the perimeter of the area you want to fence. Make sure the posts are firmly anchored into the ground.
- Attach the Mesh: Unroll the chicken wire mesh and start attaching it to the posts. Use U-nails, zip ties, or wire clips to fasten the mesh to the posts. Start from the bottom and work your way up, ensuring the mesh is taut and evenly distributed. If the height of the mesh is not enough, you can splice additional pieces together. Overlap the edges of the two pieces of mesh by at least 3 - 4 inches and use wire clips or twist ties to secure them firmly.
- Trim Excess: Once the mesh is attached, trim any excess mesh with wire cutters for a neat appearance.

Craft Fruit Baskets or Other Decorative Items:
- Plan the Shape: Sketch out the shape of your project on paper first.
- Bend the Mesh: The chicken wire is bendable. Use pliers or your hands (with gloves) to carefully bend the mesh into the desired shape. You can form circles, squares, or other geometric shapes.
- Secure the Edges: When you've formed the shape, use wire cutters to cut off any excess wire and then twist the sharp ends together or tuck them inwards to prevent injury. You can also use additional wire to reinforce joints and connections.
- Add Decorative Elements: For fruit baskets, you can attach handles made of wire or rope. For other projects like photo walls or earring racks, use hooks or clips to add functionality.

Always wear heavy-duty gloves when handling the chicken wire mesh to avoid cuts from sharp edges.
After cutting the mesh, check the area for any small pieces of wire that could pose a tripping or injury hazard and clean them up promptly.