There are many types of fences that can be used on a farm.

Fences are essential for protecting crops and animals on both hobby farms as well as commercial farms. There are many fencing options available. Make sure you consider the purpose of your fencing. Consider critterfence.com whether you will need a permit or hiring professionals to construct your fence.

Fencing Basics

You can determine the strength and durability of wire fencing material by the gauge and how it is secured together. A wire gauge is a measurement of metal wire. A smaller number indicates thicker wires. This system makes 10-gauge wire heavier than 12-gauge. How the wires are connected is also a factor in how strong wire fencing material. Welded wire is the cheapest and most cost-effective type of wire fencing. The individual wires are simply joined at their intersection points. There are many ways to weave, crimp, and knot horizontal and vertical wires together at this level. The same residential fencing that is used in suburban and urban homes may be used on a farm’s homestead, including picket or chain link. These are the most common fencing types that farms use.

Barbed Wire

Sharp barbs are then inserted into the wire. The wire is strung between wooden or metal posts. Barbed wire fencing is used to confine livestock. The animals learn to avoid the fence because they associate it with painful pricks. Although barbed wire is able to confine docile animals in large areas, it can be easily pried open by an aggressive, large animal. Although they are not attractive, they can be very effective in their intended purpose. Barbed wire is not effective in keeping wildlife and deer out of your fields. Also, make sure you check the zoning regulations. Barbed wire might be prohibited in certain semi-rural areas.

Welded wire

The basic farm fencing is made of rigid wires that are arranged in horizontal and vertical rows. They are joined together with joints. The grid is usually two inches wide by three to four inches high. The grid is usually two inches wide and three to four inches tall.

Field Fence

Another type of wire fence is the heavier gauge one. The joints are crimped for extra strength. This type of wire fence is suitable for cattle, hogs, and large livestock. The wire gauge is usually 12 gauges, although the top and bottom wires may be 10-gauge to increase durability. Hinge joint knot fence strengthens every wire intersection by wrapping vertical wires around horizontal. Although this fence is stronger than standard welded wire fencing, it can be climbed by animals and cause horizontal wires to slip.

Fixed-knot fencing: In this style, the wire intersections have been reinforced from both sides to prevent fence wires sliding.

Woven field fence: This style uses wires interwoven with some type of knot. Specially crimped joints give the fence some flexibility, so it can spring back to its original shape after animals push against it. This is especially useful when confined livestock animals like sheep or poultry push against a fence. 4

Horse Fence

It is similar to welded-wire fencing, but it is smooth on both ends to stop livestock from scratching their heads. This is particularly useful for horses that tend to scratch their hides against fences. To prevent horses’ hooves from getting caught in the mesh, some types have a V-mesh. The wire gauge is typically 14-gauge or 12 gauge, and fencing is sold in rolls. It will be sold as a non-climb fence and use either a V-mesh or narrower grid squares of two inches that are too small to pass through with hooves. To prevent the horizontal wires sliding on to the vertical wires, joints will be crimped and knotted.

Wildlife and Deer Fence

This is a special form of woven or knotted fence made from woven wire. It can be up to six feet tall. The grid sizes are also graduated. It has grid squares that are very small near the ground to discourage wildlife and gradually increase in size as the fence reaches the top. Deer fencing and wildlife can be used effectively to keep predators small and large from reaching livestock and plant-eating animals such as deer away from gardens or fields.

Chicken Wire

Chicken wire fencing is the ubiquitous small-weave diamond grid design used to protect garden areas and poultry enclosures. The 20-gauge wire, which is relatively lightweight, is woven into grids that are diamond-shaped and one to two inches wide. Chicken wire can be purchased in rolls from two to five feet in width. Chicken wire is sold in rolls of two to five feet in width.

Rail Fencing

This is the wooden post-and rail fence. It consists of two to three horizontal rails that are attached to wooden posts by nailing or other means. Rail fences can be quite costly and are often used for decorative purposes or stylistic purposes. To improve their functionality, rail fences can be combined with wire fencing. An electric fence can be installed around a decorative wooden rail fence to prevent large animals from pushing against it. You can also use other types of wire fencing to reinforce a wooden rail fence. This will give you both an attractive appearance and strong livestock barriers.

Electric Fence

An electric fence is a type of fencing that is efficient but not appealing. It uses insulated horizontal wires that are attached to insulated vertical stakes. 7 Sometimes it may be placed inside ornamental wooden fencing. An entire wire mesh can be electrified in some cases. This is particularly useful for poultry enclosures where it can keep predators out and birds in.