The Types of Farm Fencing

There is a large selection of farm fencing and each type is constructed with certain animals in mind. Some types are much easier to work with and install and require less upkeep while others can be a bit labor-intensive. Free-form fencing involves the farmer using his own measurements to space the fence according to his needs. Welded-wire square prefabricated panels are spaced, coordinating to the strength and size of the animals being enclosed. Wooden fencing supplies may be purchased at your local home building centers and all other fencing supplies are available at feed stores and farm and ranch centers.

Wooden Fencing

Dig post holes two to three feet deep for wooden fencing and insert a 4" x 4" x 8" upright post in each. Then cement them into the ground for support. After the cement is dry you then attach 2 x 4's to the poles for your horizontal fence plates. With this type of free-form fencing you may space the posts as far apart or as close as you wish and also as tall as you think will be sufficient to do the job. The distance between the vertical posts is determined by the length of the horizontal 2 x 4's; the length of these is adjustable as well.

Barbed Wire Fencing

Another free-form fence style, barbed wire utilizes the same vertical posts as the wooden fencing but the horizontal part of the fence is made of stretched sheets of barbed wire. You can hang as much wire between posts as you think is required. Barbed wire is available in sizes from 15.5 gauge to 12.5 gauge with a choice of two or four barbs and comes in 440-foot-long coils.

Welded Wire

Welded wire is used to fence in smaller stock such as goats and sheep. It has 2" x 4" squares in 48-inch-tall 100-foot rolls. This wire may be attached to wood posts with fencing staples or on metal T-posts with wire clips. This type of fencing will hold animals who don't rub on fences much or cause them too much wear and tear.

Field Fence

This fencing is sold in 330-foot-long rolls and is ideal for the farmer with a lot of acreage. It may be attached to metal T-posts or wooden posts and is available in several types. The 48-inch-tall field fencing is used with goats and sheep and may be tried with horses and cattle and other livestock that don't tend to push against the fence while eating over the top. The 50-inch-tall variety makes that more difficult for the same types of animals or you can purchase and hang a 58-inch-tall version that is called horse-safe fencing. It prevents horses from leaning over the fence and weakening it, eventually leading to breakage. There is also a no-climb horse fence fashioned with two-inch squares that prevent animals from catching their feet in it.

Feedlot Panels

This is the simplest fencing to install. It comes in 16-foot-long panels 48 inches tall to enclose pigs, goats and sheep and a 50-inch-tall version for horses. This heavy metal is comprised of four-inch square panels or ones that are 2" x 4" that can easily be installed by one person. The fencing doesn't need to be stretched so you just attach it to either wooden or metal poles with fencing staples or wire ties. These panels are virtually indestructible. Pigs are the world's worst farm animals for rubbing and thrusting all of their weight against fencing and breaking it. They are unable to do so with feedlot panels.

References

• Tractor Supply Company