Aviary Mesh - Galvanised Welded Wire Mesh

Chicken wire is the traditional hexagonal mesh. It is lightweight and easy to handle, but can be pulled apart or bitten through by a determined fox.

Aviary wire (also called weld mesh) is welded at every intersection, making it significantly stronger and far more suitable for a genuinely predator-resistant run.

A 19-gauge welded mesh with a 25mm x 25mm aperture is the standard recommendation for fox resistance. Stepping up to 16-gauge adds further strength if you want extra security. The lower the gauge number, the thicker and stronger the wire.

Rats can squeeze through gaps larger than around 12 to 13mm. If rats are a concern, choose a mesh with a 13mm aperture. This is also the right choice if you are housing young chicks, who need protection from smaller predators as well.

Use heavy-duty wire cutters or bolt croppers and cut at the welded intersections rather than mid-span. Cutting at the intersections leaves a neater edge and avoids protruding sharp ends. Always wear thick work gloves when cutting and handling the wire.

Measure the full perimeter of your run, including the height if you are panelling the sides. Add around 10 percent for overlaps and fixing points. If you plan to bury a skirt around the base, add that separately. The roll dimensions on each product page show exactly how much wire each roll contains.

Yes, and we strongly recommend it. A horizontal wire skirt buried 30 to 50cm around the outside of the run is one of the most effective ways to stop foxes and badgers digging underneath. It is the horizontal extent of the skirt that deters the predator, not the depth.