I love your chickens. I just did one with roosters. Maybe they should meet LOL. I also asked the board about borders when I was doing mine. Suggestions were great !!!! I added a thin border that matched my cornerstones and then a black print for the outside border as someone suggested. I previewed a lot of colors from within the quilt but until I used the black, nothing popped within the quilt. So after all this, I'd say use a black border. I'm not so sure I would use the chicken wire. Your eyes needs to rest somewhere. Sorry I am maybe way out there but until I tried it I didn't believe it eitther. Make sure to show us the finished version. Good luck!!!!!