Chicken wire repair in Exeter
Professional chicken wire repair services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
45 mins-1 hr
Location
Exeter, Devon
Chicken wire repaired to keep your hens safe and contained. I patch holes, reinforce weak sections, and secure against predators - no more escapees or fox attacks.
When Wire Isn't Working
Holes in chicken wire mean hens getting out or foxes getting in. Neither ends well.
💡 Pro tip: Walk your run weekly looking for weak spots. A small hole becomes a big hole very quickly when chickens or predators work at it.
Repair vs Replace
| Condition | Best Approach |
|---|---|
| One or two small holes | Patch - quick and effective |
| Multiple holes, mostly good wire | Patch & reinforce - extends life |
| Badly rusted, brittle, lots of damage | Replace - patches won't last |
| Wire sagging off posts | Re-tension - often fixes apparent damage |
What You're Getting
🔧 The Repair
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Inspect | Check whole run for damage, weak spots, gaps |
| Patch | Fix holes with proper galvanised wire |
| Reinforce | Add extra layer on weak sections |
| Secure | Fix wire properly to posts, check ground level |
| Test | Make sure nothing can squeeze through |
📦 End Result
- Holes patched securely
- Weak sections reinforced
- Predator-proof run
- Hens safe and contained
Pricing Guide
| Repair Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Simple patch (one or two holes) | 45 mins | £60 |
| Multiple patches + reinforcement | 1 hr | £60 |
| Major repair + ground security | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Basic chicken wire included - large sections of replacement mesh cost extra.
Perfect For Your Run If...
✅ Hole appeared - something's broken through
✅ Hens escaping - finding gaps you haven't spotted
✅ Predator damage - fox or badger tried to get in
✅ Sagging wire - needs re-tensioning and securing
Why Choose Us for Chicken wire repair in Exeter?
Holes patched securely
Weak sections reinforced
Predator-proof again
Hens safe and contained
What to Expect
Step 1: Full Inspection
I check the entire run for damage - not just the obvious hole. Often find more issues once I start looking.
Step 2: Patch & Repair
Fix holes with proper wire mesh, overlap generously, tie securely. No gaps for predators.
Step 3: Reinforce
Add extra protection on weak spots, secure ground level, check it's all fox-proof.
🔧 DIY Tips
Chicken wire repair is very DIY-friendly:
🔧 Materials you'll need
- Chicken wire (same gauge as existing)
- Galvanised wire ties or hog rings
- Wire cutters
- Gloves (cut edges are sharp)
- U-staples for fixing to posts
📐 Patching holes
- Cut patch larger than hole (10cm overlap all round)
- Position over hole
- Wire tie edges every 5cm or so
- Overlap joints generously
- Trim sharp edges
🔨 Securing to posts
- Use U-staples or fencing staples
- Staple top, middle, and bottom
- Pull wire taut before fixing
- Don't overtighten (wire stretches and breaks)
🦊 Fox-proofing ground level
- Wire needs to extend to ground
- Either bury 15-20cm deep
- Or peg flat on ground extending 30cm out
- Foxes dig straight down at fence line - buried/flat wire stops them
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Patches too small (gaps at edges)
- Using cable ties (UV degrades them)
- Not checking full perimeter
- Leaving gaps at ground level
- Cheap replacement wire (rusts fast)
💡 Pro trick: When patching, curl the sharp cut ends back on themselves. Makes it safer for you and for the chickens.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Wire quality matters: Galvanised chicken wire lasts 10-15 years. Cheap plain wire rusts out in 2-3 years. Worth paying for decent quality.
Check regularly: Weekly walk around looking for problems. Catch small issues before they become big ones.
Ground level security: Most predators dig rather than climb. Ground level security matters more than height.
Reinforce high-risk areas: Areas near fox cover (hedges, buildings) get more attention. Double-layer there.
Replacement timing: If you're patching more than 30% of your run, replacement probably makes more sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you repair holes in chicken wire?
For small holes, I patch over with new wire and tie it in place with galvanised wire ties. Bigger holes or badly rusted sections get cut out and replaced with new mesh. The trick is making patches fox-proof - no gaps.
Can you reinforce weak sections without replacing everything?
Yes - I can add extra mesh over thin spots or double-layer the bottom section where predators dig. Sometimes adding a wire strand along the bottom is enough to stop digging.
What about rusted chicken wire?
Once it's badly rusted, patching is temporary at best. If most of it's shot, replacement makes more sense than endless patching. I'll be honest about whether repair or replacement is worth it.
How do you stop foxes digging under?
Extend wire mesh down and outward at ground level. Bury it 15-20cm if possible, or peg it flat on the ground extending 30cm out. Foxes hit that buried wire and give up.
How long do patches last?
Proper patches with new galvanised wire last 5-10 years. Cable ties and cheap fixes fail within months. Quality of materials matters.
Chicken wire repair Also Available In:
Get a Free Quote in Exeter
Call us today for a free, no-obligation quote for your chicken wire repair job in Exeter.
01392 964094Request Online QuoteOur Rates
Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
Why Trust Us
Need Chicken wire repair in Exeter?
Get a free quote for your chicken wire repair job in Exeter today.