When it comes to installing livestock fencing, the mistakes people make are as varied as the people themselves. However, there are 5 common mistakes that can be avoided through proper planning and the correct choice of fence suppliers. Keep reading to learn more.
1st Mistake to Avoid When Installing Livestock Fencing: Insufficient Planning
Perhaps you have heard the adage that failing to plan is planning to fail. If you haven’t, you have either never made this mistake or not yet learned your lesson. Either way, when it comes to mistakes to avoid when installing livestock fencing, insufficient planning is at the top because this stage affects everything from the choice of materials to the placement of every post and nail. Before you build a livestock fence you need to know:
where underground utilities are located
where your property ends and begins
what kind of livestock you want to enclose now and in the future
where you will need gate access
if you require interior fencing and/or corrals
if you have adequate water supply, food sources, and shelter
what kind of predators you need to keep out
Knowing all of this will help you decide what kind of fencing you need and where it needs to go. It also helps ensure that you build a solid, long-lasting fence safely and legally placed on your property. Gathering information and determining the fence line before beginning your livestock fence will also help you avoid mistake number two.
2nd Mistake to Avoid When Installing Livestock Fencing: Using the Wrong Type of Fencing
To best keep your animals in and predators out of your livestock enclosures it is important to choose the correct type of fencing. To do this, consider:
your livestock
Different animals require different fencing solutions. Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct suggests the following:
Cattle and bison: High Tensile Bison & Cattle 5' fencing with a progressive hole pattern of 4" x 12" to 8" x 12" (10 to 30 cm or 20 to 30 cm) along with a fixed knot to hold the wire in place.
Horses: Woven No Climb Horse Fence is kind to horses and effective at keeping predators out. It comes in three different heights all with 2.5-gauge strength and woven joints for added durability
Smaller livestock like sheep and goats do well behind 3- or 4-foot (90 or 120 cm) sheep goat fence that prevents injuries such as sheep getting their wool caught in the fence.
Remember to think ahead – will you change your livestock or diversify in the next few years? If so, you may want to choose a fencing material that can work for more than one type of animal or can be repurposed.
pasture size and layout
Irregular-shaped pastures and fields are easily enclosed by electric fencing. It is also a cost-effective solution for expansive areas, as it requires fewer materials and less installation time. Electric fencing can also be a portable solution for easy subdivision into paddocks and to help with graze rotation.
However, there are other options available depending on your livestock, enclosure size, terrain, and needs.
Woven wire fencing provides a strong physical barrier without the risk of getting caught in your animals’ coats.
Barbed wire fencing is a cost-effective solution for large docile animals but is not suitable for sheep.
High-tensile wire fencing is good for uneven terrain and long-term use.
Livestock panels for various sizes of livestock are good for temporary corrals or permanent enclosures.
Metal mesh fencing is effective for smaller livestock.
budget
Both the initial and long-term costs need to be considered when choosing your fencing material.
maintenance capabilities
Like everything on the farm, your livestock fence requires regular checks and upkeep, but some fences require more than others.
Electric fences may require daily checks as you and your animals adjust to them. Weekly checks are generally sufficient afterwards. Quarterly inspections for proper functioning and maintenance.
Non-electrical fences usually only require twice-annual visual inspections, maintenance, and repairs such as replacing broken wires, tightening wires, controlling vegetation growing along the fence line, maintaining the gates, etc.
3rd Mistake to Avoid When Installing Livestock Fencing: Inadequate Post Spacing
The proper distance between fence posts will depend on the type of fence you’re installing. A detailed guide about standard fence post spacing has already been published, but remember the Goldilocks principle when it comes to installing fence posts: space them not too close, and not too far; space them just right for a fence with ideal flexibility and strength.
4th Mistake to Avoid When Installing Livestock Fencing: Neglecting Gates and Corners
As above, an entire article about farm gate installation has already been posted, but it is important to remember that weak gates and corners are common escape points; therefore, these areas should be reinforced with heavy-duty combination panels for sturdy gates and galvanized T-posts and T-clips for secure corner installations. Also, ensure that your corner posts are not undersized and are placed deep enough to withstand use and animal contact.
Another important consideration for gates is their placement. Be sure they are placed in logical and convenient places that you and your equipment can easily get to. Avoid places that tend to fill with water or are slow to dry after rain as well as places with vegetation that may hinder your passage. Avoid overhead utility lines and be sure that your gate is wide enough for your equipment and safety and service vehicles to pass through. Twelve-foot gates are common, but 16-foot gates allow most vehicles to pass. The latter are sometimes created with two 8-foot gates that can be opened individually or together as needed.
5th Mistake to Avoid When Installing Livestock Fencing: Not Choosing Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct
When you live in southern Ontario, the biggest mistake to avoid when installing livestock fencing is not using the quality fencing materials offered by Ontario Wholesale Farm Direct, but this is easy to fix. Contact us today to find all the fencing, gates, panels, and materials you need to install resistant livestock fencing.