Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
enhance predator control. Rail and other styles of wooden fencing should be
constructed with the boards on the inside of the fence, so the sheep won't
loosen them. Posts also need to be close together, which is part of the reason
that rail fences are the most expensive type of fence.
Woven-wire fences.
The most common type of perimeter fence for holding
sheep, at least for the bottom half, is woven wire. (The woven wire is usually
combined with either barbed or electric wires at the top and bottom.) This
type of fencing keeps the sheep in and helps keep predators out. It comes in
different weights and styles, including a high-tensile version that isn't dam-
aged by ice, as is the common galvanized wire. High-tensile wire should last
for 30 years or more and has the added benefi t of being lighter, which is nice
on the old bones when you're building a lot of fence. The up-front cost pays
for itself over the long haul. Woven wire needs to be stretched taut to perform
correctly.
Smooth-wire electric fences.
Smooth-wire electric fences are gaining pop-
ularity for all types of livestock operations. These fences are relatively easy to
construct and do the job well. For sheep, a smooth-wire electric perimeter
fence should probably be at least fi ve strands tall — and the sheep must be
trained to respect the electric wire before they're fi rst let out.
Because wool acts as an insulator, it's easiest to train your sheep to elec-
tric fencing right after they're sheared, but if you have no other choice than
to train fully fl eeced sheep, wet them down so their wool no longer acts as
an insulator. Once the sheep receive a good shock, they will avoid the fence.
Training is best done initially in a small pen that is well secured by panels or
regular sheep fence surrounding the electric wire.
High-tensile wire can be stretched very tight without breaking, and the
stretching creates an attractive fence. Low-tensile wire contains less carbon,
which makes the wire softer and more prone to breakage. The low-tensile
wires should actually be left with a little slack in them, so if animals run into
the fence, it has some give — almost like an elastic band. The slack gives the
low-tensile-wire fencing less eye appeal than the high-tensile variety, but it's
quicker and easier to install. The smooth wire for electric fencing that you
fi nd in regular farm-supply stores, hardware stores, and outlet/discount lum-
ber facilities is generally low-tensile galvanized.
Temporary fences.
Polywire and step-in plastic or fi berglass posts, or
polynet, can be used to construct temporary fencing. Polywire is an electro-
plastic twine that consists of strands of wire twisted with strands of polyeth-
ylene fi bers. Actually, electroplastic fencing is available in a wire style, a cord
