Choosing Your Ideal Farm Fencing

There are many styles of fencing to choose from, depending on the size of your farm and your type of operation. Also important, is the size and aggressive tendencies of the animals to be fenced. Here are some tips to help you decide which type of fencing is best for your farm; consider the strengths and weaknesses of each type before choosing!

Barbed Wire – Often used for confining cattle, barbed wire fences are constructed with two to three strands of wire with sharp protrusions strung between metal or wooden posts. Barbed wire is definitely an effective way for confining docile animals who will learn to stay away from the fence by associating it with pain from the barbs; however, it is less effective against aggressive animals, deer, and other wildlife.

Welded Wire – This fencing is best used with small animals (i.e. poultry) and can also be effective for keeping smaller predators, such as foxes, away from livestock. Welded wire is created with a welded wire grid of overlapping vertical and horizontal wire. Though you can purchase various gauges of wire to control the strength of the fence, the welded points are often vulnerable to breakage, so this fencing is not recommended for larger animals.

Field Fence – Field fencing is also made of wire, but with a stronger gauge and crimped at the joints to reinforce its durability. This style is suitable for larger animals such as cattle or hogs.

Horse Fence – Horse fencing is similar to field fencing in that it is heavier weighted wire and has crimped joints. The key difference is in the texture: it is smooth on both sides to prevent horses from scratching themselves. Trust us; your horses will appreciate that.

Chicken Wire – Chicken wire is the most common and lightweight choice for keeping poultry safe from small predators. It is typically made with 20-gauge wire and has a diamond shape grid. This style of fencing is also useful for protecting your gardens.

Electric Fence – This fencing is created with insulated wires that conduct a pulsating current that will lightly shock anything that comes into contact with it. In turn, it encourages livestock to stay away from the perimeters where it is installed. Electric fences are widely used in many livestock operations because they are an effective and inexpensive means of permanent or temporary fencing (if constructed properly and energized with a properly sized controller for the area being confined).

Note: Please use caution with this type of fencing, especially if it is in an area where people or small children may come into contact with it.