The Surprising Versatility of Chicken Wire

While named for keeping poultry contained, this thin mesh is rarely strong enough to stop determined predators. Instead, its true genius lies in its flexibility, making it a favorite tool for amateur sculptures and construction reinforcement.

Chicken wire is a classic example of a product finding a second life far from its original purpose. Because the steel is thin and easy to bend, artists often use it as a framework to hold heavy plaster or concrete in place for garden statues. In the building industry, builders even wrap it around pipes or walls to help mortar and cement grip to smooth surfaces. It is much more than a simple farm fence.