Smooth Hi-tensile fence for sheep and goats??

[ejb]

Anyone currently using a smooth hi-tensile wire fence to keep in sheep and goats and keep out predators? I have heard some people do it successfully, and others recommend against it....

Looking for opinions from the TBN brain trust....

I am planning on a 7 wire 12 1/2 guage HT smooth wire fence with alternating hot/ground wires. at 6/6/6/6/8/8/8 for a total of 48 inches. My main concern is keeping everything in. Secondarily I am concerned about keeping out coyotes...we have them, but they haven't been a huge problem; not yet anyway. (I can always ad a guard dog or guard llama if necessary).

I think I'd prefer a fixed knot woven fence, 48 inches high with a strand of electric on top, but that is almost 3 times as much with the price of steel so high right now....

Opinions?

BTW: I have the immediate need to fence in about 2200 linear feet (about 7 or 8 acres) but in the next few years fencing in another 10-15000 linear feet, so keeping costs down is good. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I had it, it worked when it worked. Something always managed to short out the system.

I have 2 great pyrenees. poor coyotes, doesn't hardly seem fair!

 

[StoneHeartFarm]

Don't know about sheep, but I watched our goats go over, under and around electric fence. It will hold them just as long as they want to be held.

We had 2 of ours manage to unlock a gate and took off for the neighbors. Neighbor lady called madder than heck. Our gals went right through the electric fence she had holding her horses and tried to climb her new gate.

I thought I saw regular 4" square goat fencing on sale in the TSC flier.

Steve

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It will hold them just as long as they want to be held )</font>

I've often wondered about that. When I had 9 goats, they were in a pen with the woven wire fence, but I know one person (never talked to him) who has about 30 goats confined solely by a single strand of electric fence approximately 2' off the ground. It always seemed to me that they could go over or under it easily, but I never knew of one to get out. I also know of a much larger goat ranch that has 3 strand barbed wire with a single strand of electric fence inside it. Apparently it works for some people, but I wouldn't trust it.

 

[daedong]

I don't know anything about coyotes but i have had lots of experience with electric fences.

I believe you will keep in any animal on earth with the right electric fence.

For sheep it is important to have your wire spacing different to what you suggest

The first wire needs to be close to the ground, this stops animals from trying to get under the bottom wire. this wire needs to be an earth for obvious reasons (very close to earth). by doing it this way you will not rely on the ground as earth - as animals will try then to push between a - and + wire. I cannot stress this point enough particularly for sheep, dogs, and any small to medium size animal

The other point is that it makes no sense to have wire spacings so similar as the fence increases in hight the wire space can increase as well. sheep, goats, pigs, etc will always first try to go under the wires or at least below their natural head hight. horses, cattle, etc will more often than not start to lean on the fence it doesn't take long and they get zapped

Animals will learn that the fence bits, once this has been learnt all animal will have a healthy respect for it. This does not mean it will hold them in flight but nor will most other fences
One other point i will make you must buy an electric unit that is suitable for the stock and total length of wire in the fence. Many people fail to do this trying to save money

 

[isucrazy]

I just saw a new fence job coming from the fishing hole last night. About 48" with a single strand of barb wire on top. Looked like a 4x4 hole. Knotted , not welded wire cloth. A noce looking fence fer sure to me . Cattle and goats in pasture. A donkey-jenny will stalmp the stuffin outa any dogs or yotes in her pasture . Live to be about 50 yrs. old very low mant.. Never tried any hotwires myself, never needed to .Too many trees always sheding limbs would take out a light fence. I hope this helps some. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[wroughtn_harv]

As I've pointed out before, the aussies have the "fear barrier" fencing down to a science.

So if you're serious about electric do some searches looking at their stuff.

I don't know if they'd have it online but World Fence News this month has an article about an aussie fear barrier that is as much lateral as it's vertical for deer.

I suspect the reasons for them using electric and us not is because they don't have the vegetation we have and we don't have the area to cover they do.

I build a thirty plus year fence. But it isn't easy, or cheap.

 

[daedong]

Check this out it might help

http://www.nrrbs.com.au/fencingdakenmanual.htm
http://www.pasturemanagement.com/mistakes.htm

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Harv, did you STEAL my fence design?!!!

Just funnin... I learn SO MUCH from you! That is exactly what I am building for just about all my fences now. Keeps all critters happy, an I sure hate getting zapped.

I was holding onto a metal gate and hit an electric line with my forehead. The whole earth went black with just a bright light at 12o... Was sure I was gonna get to see Jesus. Then it pulsed off and I came back.

Anyway, I am sure that electric can work, and pipe and vmesh sure is expensive. But it sure is trouble free, and purdy.

 

[1bush2hog]

Is there any way to rig this up as a portable/temporary fence that one could move around without too much time or difficulty?

I am looking to purchase a couple of goats to clean up some areas of my property that are too steep for tractor.

I also have to deal with other predators - black bear and large cats too.