Many years ago I had the pleasure to have an art residency at the beautiful Burton Agnes Hall, East Yorkshire. One of the many attractions to the visitors was a set of three geese made from chicken wire. They must have been about the most photographed item on the grounds! From a distance having a very ghostly reality, so I decided to re create a set for my own garden here in France. I have now been commissioned to produce another larger goose, and so will share “how to” with you.
Here are my own set above. I am sure that many wildfowlers could make nice decoys this way?!
The only tools you will need are a pair of pointed and blunt nose pliers to bend the wire and secateurs to cut the chicken wire. Materials – ½” chicken wire, heavy galvanized wire and an aerosol of red oxide spray paint. That’s it, yes – wow!
I usual start at the head of the bird, and form a full silhouette from the side.
Next you proceed to add lateral side elevations and then twist circles around all of these to add “ribs” to support the chicken wire later. If your hands are delicate, then wear leather or gardening gloves as galvanized wire is not kind to skin!!
Once this is done and the body a rigid, firm frame you can start on the legs.
I form a triangular tripod strengthened by the circular spiral twisted around each strand all the way up. It is important to add the feet and spikes to hold the bird into the lawn in one go!
If possible the design should be all in one length of wire for the feet, spikes and primary leg support.
Here you can see how I form that spiral for the birds neck as well?
Finally stick the spikes of the feet into the ground and cut sections of the chicken wire to size. I use squares about one by two feet, but it is up to you.
Bend any ends over the wire framework and into each other as you go, overlapping sections and shaping as you progress. At this stage, if you are tempted to try sculpture, you might add scrim, or plaster etc, and make a full model of a goose! Final shaping can be done when it is all covered. Finally spray your bird with red oxide primer. That’s it – well done. Make a few, compose them on your lawn and await orders from your friends and neighbours, it will happen!
