How to Install a Barbed Fence

Barbed wire discourages livestock from climbing through a fence.

Raising a barbed fence is one of the most effective methods of keeping livestock in their grazing pastures. A barbed fence is almost universally called a barbed wire fence, but they are one and the same. The barbs on the wire are designed to deter livestock, such as cattle, from trying to get through the fence. Spacing these wires is important to obtain maximum efficiency. Install a barbed fence using steel T-posts with V-shaped wire clips.

Things You'll Need

• Wood surveying stakes
• Hammer
• Tape measure
• Calculator
• Steel T-posts, 6-foot
• Post pounder
• Barbed wire
• Fence wire stretcher
• Wire fence clips
• Fencing pliers

Instructions

Planning the Fence Layout

1. Identify of the area to be fenced in and where the corners will be.

2. Drive a wooden stake in at each corner with a hammer.

3. Measure the distance between each stake. Determine how many feet will be in the length of the fence using a tape measure. Write this number down.

4. Multiply the number of feet in the length of the fence by 6 to determine how many feet of barbed wire will be needed to install a six-wire fence. If the fence is 100 feet long then 600 feet of wire will be needed.

5. Divide the number of feet in the length of the fence by 6 to determine how many steel T-posts will be needed to install the fence. T-posts will be pounded in every 6 feet along the entire length of the fence. If the fence is 100 feet long, then 16 or 17 posts will be needed.

Installing the Fence Corner Posts and Outlining the Fence Line

1. Pound a post into the ground where each of the wood corner stakes are using a post pounder. These are available at hardware stores or farm supply stores. Make sure the post goes at least 1 foot into the ground.

2. Tie one end of the guide string to one of the corner posts. Stretch this string from corner to corner until the guide string outlines the entire fence.

3. Measure every 6 feet from the corner posts and spray paint an "X" on the ground. Use these marks as guides for pounding in the fence posts along the length of the fence. Pay attention to the guide string to ensure the marks are being painted in a straight line from corner post to corner post.

Installing the Fence Posts and Attaching the Barbed Wire

1. Pound a fence post in to the ground at each paint mark. Keep the post vertical and in line with the guide string while pounding. Sink the posts at least a foot into the ground.

2. Wrap one end of the barbed wire around the corner post 10 inches above the ground and tie it back to itself.

3. Slide the spool of barbed wire onto a fence post so it can spin freely.

4. Ask someone to hold one end of the post while you hold the other end. Walk from corner post to corner post until the entire first strand of barbed wire has been unwound.

5. Attach a wire stretcher to the corner post directly across from the first corner post where the starting end of the barbed wire was fastened. Place it 10 inches high on the post. Ratchet the wire stretcher until the barbed wire between is tightened.

6. Go along the fence and attach the barbed wire to each post 10 inches above the ground using a wire clip. Hold the barbed wire against the post and slide the wire clip around the post and hooking it to the barbed wire. Hook the hooked end to one side of the wire and the loop end to the other side using fencing pliers. Repeat this process until the entire first strand is attached to the posts. Use the wire stretcher to stretch wire between the fence posts.

7. Space each additional fence wire 10 inches above the previous strand until all six wires have been installed on the posts.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear heavy leather palm gloves when working with barbed wire.