New Fencing

[MDSteve]

I need to change up the fencing on a couple pastures. One is about 8 acres and currently has electric the other is 2 acres and doesn't have any fencing on it. My problem is the goats and more recently the sheep have decided that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.

I am thining about going to the Wire mesh fencing. Can I use my current T posts? How do I get it tight?

Thanks

Steve

 

[jimg]

Nothing is going to keep the goats in if they dont want to be kept in.

As for your questions...you can reuse the Tposts but I would use the heaviest I could get. Even though a goat looks small theyre pretty good at pushing things over/bending/etc. They can be pretty destructive. Youll want some wooden posts in the mix too. Wire mesh works and there are devices to pull it tight, usually available at the local coop/farm store. Basically theyre a couple 2x4x36s with bolts thru the face evenly spaced over the length. They also have a piece or chain of wire fitted to take the business end of a come along. The other end of the come along is tied to anything that will stay put while the fence is being tacked down. TSC carries a version of this called a 'Woven Wire Fence Stretcher'.

 

[DennisArrow]

Steve......How many strands of wire are you using............We use 4 which keeps our goats and dogs in place..........Yes, they need to be "fence broke" a time or two; but after that there is not one bit of problem.....Dennis

 

[RichZ]

My wife and I have a goat dairy and also raise fiber sheep. All of our pastures for both goats and sheep are fenced with Red Brand Non-Climb Fence and T-posts. No wooden posts. The fence doesn't have to be that tight, it just has to be tight enough not to sag when the goats stand up on it. We never have any problem with the goats or sheep getting out. The cheapest place that we've found to get both the fencing and T-Posts is TSC.

 

[MDSteve]

Thanks for the input folks. These T posts don't have any way to secure the wire to them. I have seen lighter duty ones that have a tab that you can slide the fence in. Mine have just bumps. With the horses I think I will need to run at least a solid board across the top so they don't try and lean over the fence. I am still thinking about getting the "no climb" or the high tensile wire fence.

Steve

 

[KennethBrown]

For whatever its worth I have goats and horses too. We use 7' t posts (w/ notches like yours) and sink them 2 1/2' in leaving 4 1/2' out of the ground. The notches will hold the fence just fine with e the clips that come with the posts although they are a little hard to put on in some places. No wooden posts inbetween (sp? lol) unless I have to have a Hbrace due to an extremely long run. I use Red Brand 47" mesh (Its $109 a roll at TSC) with a strand of barb on top. I considered putting a strand of barb on the bottom but haven't had a need too. Some say barb should never be used with horses but I've had very little trouble with it. Here people use it for all of the strands and most don't have trouble. The worst I've had is the horses will push against it to get treats from the kids. No harm to the fence and no harm to the horse.

 

[firefighter9208]

I use 6 1/2' t post. Bekart 47" Class III galvenized fencing (won't rust in 3 years like Red Brand) and a strand of 12 ga. hot wire about 8" off the ground.

I built my stretcher with a 2x6x52" and a 2x4x52". Center the 2x4 on the 2x6 and drill three 3/4" holes. One 4" from each end and one in the center. Get three 3/4 x 4 1/2" bolts/nuts/washers.

Sandwich the mesh wire between the 2x4 and 2x6 and tighten the nuts with a large crescent wrench or 3/4 ratchet. They don't have to be overtight, just snug as the wire will bite into the 2x's.

Attach a short piece of chain around the 2x's and a come-a-long to the tractor. Ratchet until it is as tight as you want. You can pull over posts and break wire with a come-a-long. Go slow. I then nail to my wooden posts and put clips on the t-posts.

I have placed the wire on the back of t-posts with success. I just use 12 ga. electric wire to wire the fence to the posts. I then add a wooden post or t post as needed to hold the fence up or down if needed when there is a change of elevation.


This method works really well. I can wean 40-50 # goats and not have problems with them getting through the fence to their mommas. I do suggest the electric fence though as I have seen kids run full force into the woven wire fence trying to get back to momma. A little electricity is your friend.
Chris

 

[weldingisfun]

We raise goats too. Haven't had a bit of problem with goats getting out nor predators getting in since we started using Red Brand Goat and Sheep Fencing.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/wcssto...ontAssetStore/images/products/600/3660338.jpg

4" x 4" mesh provides strong confinement and deters animals from putting their heads through the fence. Smooth side of Square Deal® knot prevents injury to animal. Strong mesh design minimizes potential for injury by flexing on impact. Class 1 galvanized wire resists weathering as well as wear and tear. Offers secure protection from predatory animals. Easy to install on flat or hilly terrain. Most respected name in farm fence. Made in the United States with 100% American steel1348-4-12.5 -330'. Square Deal® knot. 12.5 gauge wire. Class 1 zinc coating. 4" vertical spacing. 48" height. 100 ft rolls. Used to confine sheep, goats and other small livestock.


Around here it is available at TSC and Lowe's. I buy from the place with the best price and or specials.

We use 6' T-posts spaced 10' apart with a wooden post every 100' to 125'.

We also keep our bucks seperate from the does. To prevent the love starved guys from tearing up the fence trying to get to the doe of their dreams, we added 10K volt electric on the guys side of the fence. With 10K volts even the raunchiest buck catches on real quick.

Good luck and remember, the best thing about putting up a fence is getting to the last post.

 

[MDSteve]

We walked the one fence line and it is about 2000'. We have a lowes and a TSC within an hour. Is you wood posts where you tightend the fence? I have one low spot that I will need to worry about. It is sloped but drops about 10 feet.

Steve

 

[Bird]

Thanks for the input folks. These T posts don't have any way to secure the wire to them. I have seen lighter duty ones that have a tab that you can slide the fence in. Mine have just bumps. With the horses I think I will need to run at least a solid board across the top so they don't try and lean over the fence. I am still thinking about getting the "no climb" or the high tensile wire fence.

Steve

I think you have the right kind of t-posts. When you tie the fence wire tightly to the posts, that increases the tension of the fence wire, and those bumps keep the fence wire from sliding up or down on the post. You can just tie with wire, but the ready made clips, such as these from Tractor Supply Co. make the job a lot easier.