How to Build an Electric Fence for Sheep

Electric fences are a popular containment system for farm animals because they can be erected quickly with much less effort than traditional wood post or frame fences and cover a lot of ground for much less money. They are more popular than barbed wire, too, because they are safer and do not rip or gouge. Electric fences are much more popular with sheep farmers than barbed wire, especially because electric fences will not catch on wool and harm the fleece. An electric fence can be put up fast by one person if necessary and does not require any special skill.

Things You'll Need

• T-post pounder
• T-posts (enough to cover the desired distance at no greater than 10-foot intervals)
• electric fence wire
• T-post insulator (5 per post for a 5 strand fence)
• Wire cutter
• Gate handle (a five-strand fence will require five handles per entry area)
• Wire charger (electric or solar powered)
• Fence tester

Instructions

1. Pound t-posts into the ground at no greater than 10-foot intervals along the entire circumference of the pasture area. Place t-post pounder over the top of the t-post and hold by the handles on each side to drive the spiked end of t-post into soil.

2. Attach five t-post insulators to each t-post by snapping onto the t-post (no tools required). The insulators will hold the wire on the t-post while keeping the hot wire from connecting to the metal pole and shorting out. There should be one t-post insulator for each strand of wire you wish to have. You can add additional strands for greater security but should not use less than five to keep sheep in the pasture area. The bottom strand should be no more than 6 inches off the ground, and each subsequent strand should be no more than 8 inches apart.

3. Wrap wire through the loop of the t-post insulator to anchor it on the first pole and then run it across the entire circumference of the field hooking it on the appropriate level t-post insulator at each t-post. It is not necessary to anchor it on every post the hook will hold the wire in place. It is necessary to keep a steady, even tension on the wire so that it does not sag. This can easily be done by hand.

4. Cut the end of the wire using wire cutters at the final t-post leaving a space between the first t-post and the end post for an entry. Wrap the wire through the loop of the t-post insulator on the final pole to anchor it.

5. Repeat the above process for all five (or more if desired) t-post insulators.

6. Cut five pieces of wire using the wire cutters to fit the open section leaving 1 inch at each end of the cut to wrap onto the connectors.

7. Wrap one side of each entry wire to the t-post connector to anchor it to the side of the entry. Do NOT connect this wire to the fence strands!

8. Wrap the free end of each entry 'gate' wire strand through a door handle connector.

9. Use a piece of wire to create a loop and wrap it around the opening end t-post of the entry. DO connect the loops to the fence strands. By connecting the wire door loops to the fence the entry way will be electrified when the "gate" is closed. By NOT connecting the side of the entry to the fence strands (in Step 7) when door handles are released from the loops the entry wires will NOT be electrified so you can pass through without being zapped but the containment fence WILL remain electrified.

10. Install your fence charger according to the type of power source it uses. Electric powered chargers will need to be located near a power source. Solar powered chargers can be mounted to a wood post sunk near the fence line and need to be exposed to the sky for accessing the sun's power. Cut one piece of wire and connect it to the ground on the charging unit, and run the other end of the wire down to a metal spike drove into the ground for the purpose of grounding your charger. Run another wire from the electrical connection on your electric fence charger to the first t-post of the containment fence.

11. Using wire cutters cut one strand of wire to fit your fence from bottom to top and wrap it around each of the wires at the very start of your first t-post. Hook the end of the wire coming from your charger to this wire.

12. Follow the directions on your fence line tester to check all wires for electrical current. Make sure all wires have an adequate charge. If no power is running through your lines make sure no grass, weeds, or other debris are connecting with the bottom wire of the fence to ground it out.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not attempt to electrify any wire not made for electric fencing, including barbed wire. Teach anyone who will be handling the sheep how to use the door connectors and how to turn off the power on the charging unit if necessary. Do not open the gate, touch the electric wires, or stand near an electric fence in a thunderstorm. Do not use more than one fence charger on any section of fence. Using more than one fence charger will increase the pulse signals and place them too close together and could cause serious injury to people or the animals that come in contact with it.