Cattle fence specs

Bkpigs · Jan 1, 2014

Getting close to the point of setting up the cattle lot at our new farm. The fence that is there is 36" woven wire spaced about 6" off the ground and a single strand of barbed wire above the woven at about 48" inches or so from the ground. I am going to replace the barbed wire with electric. I do need to buy some additional woven wire to expand the current lot. Should I just replicate the existing setup or go with the 48" woven wire? Either way there will be two strands of electric wire, one at half way and one at the top. My dad's place has all 48" wire with electric so using this 36" has me curious. Thanks a bunch.

NEKS · Jan 1, 2014

What are you building a lot for, cattle, sheep, goats, or horses. If cattle or horses would not look at woven wire.

danofarming · Jan 1, 2014

Horse High, Hog tight, and Bull Strong!

rrlund · Jan 1, 2014

Is this going to be a lot where you'll be crowding cattle? If so,yes,I'd go with the 48 inch woven. I wouldn't have a 6 inch gap at the bottom though. Some smart alec will get it's head under it when it's worked up and will get under it. If you use anything but woven,something is going to squeeze through it when they get pushing too hard.

RayP(MI) · Jan 1, 2014

Sheep and goats are about as hard on fences as real large animals. I've got a lot of work to do on a carefully installed woven wire fence to do next spring due to a bunch of amall sheep - less than 75#.

No matter what you put up the animals will figure out how to worry it until they have it no longer leak proof!

gene bender · Jan 1, 2014

No need to remove the barb just add an electric above the barb

JD Seller · Jan 1, 2014

Well you do not have cattle fence now. You have a hog fence. Many of my cattle would not even hardly drag bottom as they jump right over your fence.

If you really want a fence to hold cattle then you need it to be taller. For woven wire I use 47" fence 3-4 inches off the ground. The two strands of bard 3 and six inches above the top of the woven wire. If you want to electrify the top strand even better.

If you are using barbed wire than I use six strands with the top being at 48 inches. This needs to be fiddle tight and have good corners an braces. You will have some try to run right through it. Don't buy the light gauge small barb either. 12.5 guage is as light as I like to use.

tbish · Jan 2, 2014

I build my working lots out of cattle panels 2by6
and railroad ties 3ft deep 2bys top and bottom ties
set on 8ft centers cattle hit it and just bounce off
PS add 2by above also u want it 6ft tall if a cow
can get their nose over under or threw it their gone

Traditional Farmer · Jan 2, 2014

I've been using 52" high cattle panels for lots and some field fencing especially along the highway.Cattle will rarely try it and things like calves,hogs and goats can't get thru it.The cost is about the same as good quality woven wire and if you count labor its cheaper.

Dachshund · Jan 2, 2014

I have 47" woven around my patures, with no barb.
Works great. I one spot, I have a 5 strand barb
fence, and the yearlings, calves and first timers
walk through it! There is even a HOT electric wire
about 2' off the ground. Doesn't phase them. They
will walk through a two hot wire electric fence
that will zap your eyeballs out, too. Never had a
problem with cows going over a fence, but goats
will climb one.

This place I am on now, has "goucho" wire fences
in several places. That stuff needs UN-invented!

chevytaHOE5674 · Jan 2, 2014

My cows are kept in with 5 strands of High tensile with the top wire somewhere in the 42" range and haven't had any trouble with keeping them in. Wire is kept tight and VERY hot.

If I had trouble with an animal jumping it they would be off to the butcher immediately.

Cattle fence specs

Bkpigs

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NEKS

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danofarming

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rrlund

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RayP(MI)

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gene bender

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JD Seller

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tbish

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Traditional Farmer

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Dachshund

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chevytaHOE5674

Well-known Member

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