The term “chicken wire Canada” is often used to describe the type of metal fencing a chicken owner would use for their poultry livestock. The fence is usually made of thin, flexible galvanized steel wire with hexagonal gaps. It is a good choice for keeping chickens contained, but it will not keep predators out. In addition to being good for chicken coops, the wire can be useful in many other applications, including soil erosion prevention, garden protection, plant support, and arts & craft projects.

The use of chicken wire in a more scientific context, however, is less common. It is sometimes used in chemistry to refer to the regular hexagonal pattern of molecules, most notably in the case of tetrahydrocannabinol, the active component found in marijuana. In photonics, the chicken-wire effect describes the predominant pattern of low transmission lines in a lens, and is similar to the structure found in the meshes of chicken wire.

Cluck & Secure: A Guide to Chicken Wire in Canada for Happy Hens

If you’ve ever driven to a trailhead and seen cars covered in chicken wire, you may be wondering what’s going on. This strange sight is a result of some people’s attempt to keep porcupines and other critters from chewing on their catalytic converters, fuel lines, and brake lines. While these people are certainly doing the right thing by attempting to prevent the theft of their vehicles’ precious cargo, they are using the wrong sort of fencing for their purpose. The better choice is heavy-duty hardware cloth, which is much more resistant to bends, rips, tears, and manipulation than standard chicken wire or traditional poultry netting.