Q&A for How to Build a Livestock Fence

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  • Question
    If I'm using woven wire, how far should I space the wood posts and how deep should I set them?
    Karin
    Top Answerer
    If using 8' posts (5-6" round), set them 2' deep spaced about 12 feet apart for pasture; 8 feet can also be used. Shorter spacing will be needed in areas that receive higher traffic or more pressure from the animals.
  • Question
    How high should a barbed wire cattle fence be?
    Karin
    Top Answerer
    It depends in the size of the posts you want to use. The standard fence post that's going to be used is 8-ft 5-6" round & tapered, treated. Sinking them around 2 to 3 feet into the ground will allow about 5 to 6 ft of remaining height. The top wire then could be about 48 to 52 inches above the ground.
  • Question
    What are the parts needed to attach electric wire to a fence post for a goat farm?
    Karin
    Top Answerer
    Plastic insulators you can insert a nail into to hammer into the post and attach the wire into are your best options. Your local farm supply store should have these.
  • Question
    Where a stockproof fence adjoins private gardens, should an additional line of barbed wire be erected inside the field on separate posts to stop cows eating plants in the gardens?
    Community Answer
    If the fence is stockproof, then no. However, the cows can reach across and access anything they can reach upwards, such as okra, sunflowers and fruit trees.
  • Question
    Which side of the post should the wire go on. If I am standing on my property, should the wire be installed on my side?
    Karin
    Top Answerer
    The wire should go on the inside of the enclosure to keep animals in. If you're keeping animals out, the wire should be put on the outside. So if you're standing on your property, yes, the wire should be installed on your side.
  • Question
    How can I build a wing for gathering cattle in pasture?
    Karin
    Top Answerer
    Build the wing or funnel at a 30 degree angle out from the gate using temporary panels, permanent posts and wire (if you wish to leave it permanent); or electric mesh or tape (if you want to put it up and take it down as needed). Depending on the size of the herd, a funnel fence can be anywhere from 10 feet long to over 30 yards.
  • Question
    What size hardwood post do I use?
    Karin
    Top Answerer
    Average for a fence is 6" or 8" thick and 8 ft long.
  • Question
    I am planning to experiment fencing with a common bushy fencing plant to keep my goats within the grazing land. Will it work?
    Karin
    Top Answerer
    It likely won't. Goats are browsers as well as grazers, so they may eat their way out of the fence, especially if the brush used as fencing is edible, and it's not thick or tall enough to keep them in. You're better off using a netting-type electric fence or paige wire rather than trying shrubbery to keep goats in - but you could try first.
  • Question
    What materials do I need to build a livestock fence?
    Community Answer
    Refer to the Things You'll Need section at the end of the article.
  • Question
    What is the best method of handling the 100 plus pound field fencing rolls by myself?
    Community Answer
    Rent or borrow a tractor with forks, or a bobcat/skidsteer. They are only $100-200 per day and can save you a lot of sweat, not to mention it is much safer to handle heavy loads with machinery.
  • Question
    I am building a pasture fence and I want the corners to be rounded to make it easy to drive the tractor around the outside. Is there any reason not to do this?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    The corners will be slightly harder to build. Other than that, there's probably no reason not to.
  • Question
    What diameter hole should I did for a 5-6" post?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    An 8" hole would allow gravel to fill in around the post.
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