Cutting Chicken Wire: A Step-By-Step Guide

Chicken wire is a lightweight, malleable mesh that can be cut using different tools depending on the wire thickness. The most suitable tools for cutting chicken wire include scissors for lightweight wire mesh, wire cutters for stronger gauge netting, and tin snips for thicker mesh. When cutting chicken wire, it is important to wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, pants, gloves, and safety glasses to avoid any potential injuries. The cut ends of the wire should be folded back or covered with duct tape to prevent sharp edges that could cause cuts.

Wear protective clothing and safety gear

When cutting chicken wire, it is important to wear protective clothing and safety gear to safeguard against accidents and injuries. Here are some key considerations for your safety:

Protective Clothing

It is recommended to wear long-sleeved shirts and durable working pants to protect your arms and legs from potential cuts and scratches. This will provide coverage and act as a barrier between your skin and the sharp edges of the chicken wire.

Safety Gear

Eye Protection

Always wear safety goggles or glasses to safeguard your eyes from flying debris and sharp wire pieces. Ensure that your chosen eye protection fits comfortably and securely, providing adequate coverage for your eyes.

Gloves

Protective gloves are essential when working with chicken wire. They shield your hands from scratches, cuts, and the sharp edges of the wire. Choose gloves made from strong, durable materials that fit properly. Heavy-duty leather gloves are a good option.

Respiratory Protection

If you are cutting chicken wire in an area with limited ventilation, consider using a respirator or a face mask to prevent the inhalation of dust and debris.

Footwear

Sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots are recommended to protect your feet and provide good traction. This will reduce the risk of injury from dropped tools or sharp wire pieces.

Work Area Considerations

In addition to personal protective equipment, it is important to prepare your work area:

• Ensure your work area is well-lit and spacious, allowing you easy access and movement.
• Clear the area of any obstacles that may cause tripping or hinder your work.
• Ventilate the area well, especially if you are using power tools or creating significant amounts of dust.
• Ensure your work surface is stable and secure to facilitate precise cuts and prevent accidental slips.

Choose the right tool for the wire thickness

The right tool for cutting chicken wire depends on the thickness of the wire, which is referred to as the gauge. Thicker wire, or lower gauge wire, will require a stronger cutting tool. For lightweight chicken wire mesh, a pair of scissors can be used. However, you will need to be careful and lift the separated part to avoid injury. For stronger gauge netting, wire cutters or tin snips are more suitable. With wire cutters, you will need to snap the strands individually and pull the separated parts away to avoid injury. Tin snips can also cut chicken wire but are more suitable for cutting multiple strands of wire at once. They are also useful for cutting hardware cloth. If you are cutting large amounts of chicken wire, Gilbow shears or an angle grinder are good options.

It is important to wear protective clothing when cutting chicken wire, such as long sleeves and heavy leather gloves, to prevent injury. After cutting the wire, the ends will be sharp, so it is recommended to use lineman's pliers to fold back the loose ends.

Handle the wire carefully to maintain its shape

Chicken wire is a lightweight, malleable mesh that needs to be handled carefully to maintain its shape. The strands are woven together to form a hexagonal construction, so pulling the netting in one direction with too much force will distort the apertures. Therefore, it is important to wear protective clothing and use the right tools to avoid damaging the wire and causing injury.

When cutting chicken wire, it is important to wear long sleeves, work pants, protective gloves, and safety glasses. The choice of cutting tool depends on the gauge of the netting. For lightweight chicken wire mesh, scissors can be used. Carefully snap the strands while lifting up the separated part to avoid injury. For stronger gauge netting, wire cutters are more suitable. Again, snap the strands individually and pull the separated part away with one hand as you move along.

Tin snips are another option and can cut through multiple strands of wire at once due to their longer cutting edge. They are particularly useful if you also need to cut hardware cloth. However, be sure to wear gloves when using tin snips to protect your hands. When cutting chicken wire, always maintain a straight line to avoid distorting the shape of the mesh.

After cutting, the ends of the chicken wire may be sharp and pokey. To avoid injury, use pliers to fold the cut ends back on themselves or cover them with wood stripping. Alternatively, you can bend the ends under or wrap them around, but this may still pose a risk of cuts. Another option is to use duct tape and fold it in half along the edges, sticking it together between each hole.

Cut the wire with your chosen tool

Cutting chicken wire can be done with a variety of tools, depending on the thickness of the wire. For thin wire, scissors can be used, but this method can be slow and require you to cut each wire individually. Thicker wire can be cut with wire cutters, or tin snips. Tin snips are a popular choice as they can cut through multiple strands of wire at once, and can also cut through hardware cloth. If you want to cut through large amounts of chicken wire quickly, an angle grinder can be used, but the wire must be stretched over scrap timber first.

When cutting chicken wire, it is important to wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, pants, gloves, and safety glasses. This will help to avoid any injuries from the sharp wire ends. It is also important to cut the wire carefully, snapping the strands individually and lifting up the separated part to avoid injury. After cutting, the sharp ends of the wire can be folded back with pliers to make them safer.

If you are using scissors or tin snips to cut your chicken wire, make sure they are tough enough for the job. Some people recommend long Gilbow shears or a similar product for this purpose. Heavy leather gloves will also help protect your hands from the sharp wire.

When using wire cutters, it is important to choose a strong brand that can handle the thickness of your chicken wire. Some recommended brands include Klein, Knipex, and NWS.

Tin snips are a good choice if you are cutting both chicken wire and hardware cloth, as they can handle both with ease. They also have a spring-loaded action, which can make cutting easier than with dedicated wire cutters.

Dispose of wire scraps responsibly

Chicken wire, like any other metal wire, can be recycled. However, improper disposal can have severe environmental impacts. One major concern is the leaching of toxic substances, which can contaminate groundwater supplies and jeopardize the health of both humans and animals.

• Separate different types of wiring. For example, wiring that contains AC voltage should not be mixed with wires that only carry DC voltages.
• Older wiring may contain hazardous elements like lead or mercury, which must be handled with care and disposed of separately.
• Strip the insulation off the wires if required by your local recycling center. Some centers may also require that you bundle the wires together in an organized way.
• Identify and extract valuable metals like copper. Copper is the most sought-after material in electrical wires due to its excellent electrical conductivity and value in the recycling market.
• Sell the wires to scrap metal yards, especially those with a high copper content.
• Alternatively, donate the wires to educational programs or upcycle them into art or home decor.
• If you are unsure about how to dispose of wire scraps, reach out to professionals who can ensure that your wire scraps are recycled in a responsible and safe way.

Frequently asked questions