Livestock fencing has two main purposes: to keep your animals safely contained, and to prevent predators from getting in and eating them. But there’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The correct fence depends on what type of animals you aim to contain.
No matter what type of livestock you’re raising, make sure your posts are big enough, and that corner fence posts are set deeply into the ground, especially if your soil is soft. And don’t forget the gates—since horses and livestock occasionally need to be moved or corralled into different areas, they’ll need a way to get in and out.
Horses
If a horse can’t clearly see the fence, it’s likely to run right into it, potentially becoming tangled or injured. Horses are visual creatures making high tensile or pipe fencing a great option for a horse paddock. When using pipe fencing, it’s best to post pipes close together with a marker where the wires are. This helps horses to easily see their barriers. Since horses are also athletic creatures, barbed fencing is not advised. A more budget option to pipe fencing are wood post and board fences, which are sturdy, visible and attractive.
Goats
These crafty guys and gals are escape artists. If you don’t want to get your cardio exercise by chasing goats, you’ll need to space your posts closely together and use special material, such as goat net wire fencing.
Cattle
Since cattle are big, you’ll need a pretty high fence – at least 54 inches tall. We recommend treated wood posts and high-tensile wire. Separating cows from bulls? Up your wire gauge and
fortify those posts.
Hogs
Hogs are a sturdy animal; weak fences are no match for porcine force. The heavy-gauge wire of feedlot panel fencing is a good choice.
A note on electrification
Electrified fencing is popular for containing all sorts of animals. At Buzz, we don’t think shocking animals is very nice. Plus, you could be liable if a person, or somebody’s pet, gets shocked.
Need help?
Need help containing your critters? Your friends at Buzz are experts at safely containing all sorts of animals. Give us a call today and we’ll help you decide what will work best for your land and livestock.
