Farm and Ranch Fencing Tips
Planning
A fencing system that contributes to efficient land and livestock management requires careful planning and forethought.
Here's some things to consider for your next project:
Gate placement
Perimeter gates will need to be located and spaced for entrance and egress to the property by vehicles, as well as farm and ranch equipment. Interior gates need to be placed where most convenient for feeding animals and moving them to other locations on the property. Some gates will simply be for animal management, while others will also need to allow for passage of tractors and other large machinery.
Support System
Adequate corner support and post spacing is vital to the overall integrity of any fence system. For metal pipe fencing, post spacing of 8 to 12 foot is common, but will vary depending on the size of tubing used. Wood posts are generally spaced in the 7 to 10 foot range, depending on lumber dimensions.
Solid corner supports and gateposts are the foundation of any fencing system. Their placement and design depend on the type of fence and its intended use. Whether for horses or cattle, sheep or goats, chickens, house pets, a yard, garden or driveway, they need to be capable of holding up to years of use and abuse.
A fencing system that contributes to efficient land and livestock management requires careful planning and forethought.
Here's some things to consider for your next project:
Gate placement
Perimeter gates will need to be located and spaced for entrance and egress to the property by vehicles, as well as farm and ranch equipment. Interior gates need to be placed where most convenient for feeding animals and moving them to other locations on the property. Some gates will simply be for animal management, while others will also need to allow for passage of tractors and other large machinery.
Support System
Adequate corner support and post spacing is vital to the overall integrity of any fence system. For metal pipe fencing, post spacing of 8 to 12 foot is common, but will vary depending on the size of tubing used. Wood posts are generally spaced in the 7 to 10 foot range, depending on lumber dimensions.
Solid corner supports and gateposts are the foundation of any fencing system. Their placement and design depend on the type of fence and its intended use. Whether for horses or cattle, sheep or goats, chickens, house pets, a yard, garden or driveway, they need to be capable of holding up to years of use and abuse.
Different Animals, Different Considerations
Horses
Horses are probably the most accident prone of all livestock, which is a big concern when building enclosures for them. Barbed wire is never recommended to horses, especially in close confinement. Woven wire is a generally a better choice, provided the squares are too small for horses to get a foot through, or else big enough that if a foot does go through there’s room to get it out. If using T-post, always put a cap on them to help prevent injuries.
When setting corner posts and gates for horses, be sure there no cross members where a horse could catch a leg. Avoid gates with sharp edges or tight corners that might trap or cut. Click for more on Equine Applications.
Cattle
Cattle need fences & gates they can’t push through. This is why barbed wire is often used. Additionally cattle enclosures often encompass large acreages that require more extensive fencing. Barbed wire with T-posts is relatively inexpensive and easy to build, making it a popular choice for bigger farms and ranches. But nearly any other kind of fencing can be used for cattle - metal panels, wood panels, woven wire, pipe fence or electric fence with either metal or wood gates.
Goats and Sheep
Barbed wire is not a good choice for sheep and goats, as they can easily squeeze through the spaces between strands. Sheep will get their wool caught in the wire and goats will cut themselves. Woven wire is a better choice. Goats are notorious for climbing and constantly test their enclosures, so they need very sturdy fencing with small openings they can’t crawl through. This sort of fence can also help discourage predators.
Electric Fence
Electric fencing works well for keeping the right animals where they belong and discouraging the wrong animals from getting in. It can be one of the least expensive and most cost effective fencing choices within property boundaries. It doesn’t make a good standalone perimeter fence because spooked or excited animals can easily run through it. Electric fencing used in conjunction with other types of permanent fencing can extend a fence’s life by preventing animals from pushing, rubbing, scratching or chewing.
Horses
Horses are probably the most accident prone of all livestock, which is a big concern when building enclosures for them. Barbed wire is never recommended to horses, especially in close confinement. Woven wire is a generally a better choice, provided the squares are too small for horses to get a foot through, or else big enough that if a foot does go through there’s room to get it out. If using T-post, always put a cap on them to help prevent injuries.
When setting corner posts and gates for horses, be sure there no cross members where a horse could catch a leg. Avoid gates with sharp edges or tight corners that might trap or cut. Click for more on Equine Applications.
Cattle
Cattle need fences & gates they can’t push through. This is why barbed wire is often used. Additionally cattle enclosures often encompass large acreages that require more extensive fencing. Barbed wire with T-posts is relatively inexpensive and easy to build, making it a popular choice for bigger farms and ranches. But nearly any other kind of fencing can be used for cattle - metal panels, wood panels, woven wire, pipe fence or electric fence with either metal or wood gates.
Goats and Sheep
Barbed wire is not a good choice for sheep and goats, as they can easily squeeze through the spaces between strands. Sheep will get their wool caught in the wire and goats will cut themselves. Woven wire is a better choice. Goats are notorious for climbing and constantly test their enclosures, so they need very sturdy fencing with small openings they can’t crawl through. This sort of fence can also help discourage predators.
Electric Fence
Electric fencing works well for keeping the right animals where they belong and discouraging the wrong animals from getting in. It can be one of the least expensive and most cost effective fencing choices within property boundaries. It doesn’t make a good standalone perimeter fence because spooked or excited animals can easily run through it. Electric fencing used in conjunction with other types of permanent fencing can extend a fence’s life by preventing animals from pushing, rubbing, scratching or chewing.
Planning is everything – right down to the gate latches you choose