How long does wire last buried?

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I'm putting heavy duty chain link on the run but I don't have the energy left to dig out a 6ft. apron (size of the chain link). . . I can't find anything heavier that 19 guage 1/2 x 1/2 or 16 guage 2 x 2 wire here and it's a fortune to have it shipped. I was thinking of putting the 2 x 2 wire in the ground attached to the bottom of the run then stake some of the small wire on top. It will be a lot of work and expense and I'm wondering how long before it rots out in the ground?
Has anyone had to replace their apron wire yet?

 

[ColoradoMike]

Galvanized wire should last years in the ground, provided you don't have some unusually corrosive soil/moisture environment. When re-landscaping our back yard 5 years ago, I removed some very old (probably >50 years) double loop galvanized fencing and the portions that were buried were very much intact. So much so, that I had to snip it in portions. Granted, this is/was some seriously stout wire, but I would imagine that even the thinner galvanized stuff their selling nowadays would last a decade at least, probably more. At least, I'm hoping so!

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Good to know...off to The Home Depot I go!!

 

[columbiacritter]

It will probably outlast you unless you have some seriously acidic soil. My husband says he's pities the person who tries to dig all the wire uout from our multiple chicken runs. Plus I like to bury metal bits and broken concrete chunks to add to the surprise for anythign that tries to dig into MY runs!