Your livestock is your livelihood, so it only makes sense that you’d want to protect your animals in the best way possible. There are several fencing options to corral and secure animals while allowing free roam of a pasture. These options vary from wood and wire to composite fencing, but the most durable choice for farmers today is pipe fencing.
Which Fence Type Is Right For My Animals?
Whether you plan on installing a temporary or permanent fence, the installation needs careful planning in order to best protect livestock. Here are a few questions to start:
- What is my stockade fence being used for? (Boundary fence, divider fence, cross-fence etc.)
- What type of livestock is the fence for? (Sheep, horses, cattle, pigs, chickens etc.)
- What type of fence is best suited for my purpose?
- Which is a higher priority (low cost, security or durability?)
- Where do I need the fence? (Gate location, setting of posts, stock gaps, cattle guards, etc.)
Cattle
Confining cows is an easy feat, as they are docile and rarely attempt to break out of pens. Longhorn steers and bulls require a little more security. Factors to consider include:
- Fence life expectancy
- Ease of installation/construction
- Expense
Pipe fencing is popular with dairy and beef cattle farms. We suggest pipe fencing at least 54 inches in height with heavy posts and thick-gauge metal. Cattle guards can be installed at driveway and walkway gate entrances to prevent escape.
Horses
Visibility is an extremely important factor for horses. Although board fences and split-rail wood are traditional materials, high-tensile pipe fencing can still be used. If using pipe, posts should be close together and an electric fence can be added for additional protection. Barbed fences should be avoided to prevent injury.
Pigs
Swine or pigs are very intelligent, and can easily escape if strong fences and gates are not used. Although a shorter fence can be installed, it needs to withstand the full weight of an adult boar. The trick to confining pigs is to prevent them from rooting underneath—barbed wire along the ground connected to a strong fence will stop them.
Sheep & Goats
Sheep are fairly docile, so the main concern is protection from predators. Barbed wire isn’t always effective at keeping coyotes and dogs out. Electric or extremely sturdy fences with accessories like spears can prevent an attack.
Wild Game and Exotics
Texas private game ranches offer hunting of boar, deer, elk and more. At Buzz, we’ve assisted the Dallas Zoo for several exhibits and understand the complexities of containing wild game. Deer and elk require the tallest of all livestock barriers. White-tail deer can jump nearly eight feet high! Whether you need to contain Bison or alligators, the team at Buzz as over thirty years of experience working with ranchers and farmers.