Common Types of Farm Fences

Of course. Building on the animal-specific guide, here is a detailed overview of the common types of farm fencing, their best uses, and key considerations.

 Common Types of Farm Fences

1. Electric Fencing

How it Works: Delivers a short, safe but memorable shock to animals that touch it. Works primarily as a psychological barrier.

Types:

Polywire/Polytape: Lightweight, portable, highly visible. Ideal for temporary fencing and rotational grazing.

High-Tensile Smooth Wire: Galvanized steel wire under high tension. Very durable and cost-effective for permanent perimeter fences (requires a charger and proper installation).

Electric Netting: Pre-woven nets for poultry, sheep, or pigs. Easy to move, provides both physical and psychological barriers.

Best For: Containing most livestock (when trained), internal paddocks, bear/predator exclusion. Requires a reliable energizer and maintenance.

Pros: Cost-effective, versatile, easy to install, low physical pressure on animals.

Cons: Requires power, maintenance (vegetation control), animals must be trained.

2. Woven Wire (Field Fence)

How it Works:A grid of vertical and horizontal wires creating a physical barrier.

Key Feature: Strength and flexibility; conforms to uneven terrain.

Best For: Permanent perimeter fencing for sheep, goats, cattle, and poultry. Excellent for keeping small animals in and predators out.

Pros: Very strong, long-lasting, good for mixed livestock, requires no power.

Cons:Expensive, heavy and difficult to install, can be damaged by large animals pushing on it.

3. Barbed Wire

How it Works: Uses sharp points (“barbs”) spaced along strands to inflict pain and deter animals from pushing against it.

Best For:Historicallyused for cattle on large ranges. Modern use is declining.

Pros: Low initial cost, long lifespan, covers long distances.

Cons: High injury risk to animals and humans, poor containment for small livestock, considered inhumane by many. Generally not recommended for most small farms.

 4. Welded Wire

How it Works: A rigid grid of wires welded at each junction (unlike woven wire's interlocking loops).

Best For:Small animal pens (rabbits, poultry), garden fencing, compost bins. Not strong enough for large livestock.

Pros: Inexpensive, easy to handle, rigid structure.

Cons: Not durable for large animals, can rust, wires can pop free if stressed.

 5. Board or Plank Fencing

How it Works: Horizontal wooden boards attached to sturdy posts.

Best For: Horses (highly visible and safe), paddocks, arenas, and aesthetic perimeter fencing.

Pros: Extremely safe, visible, attractive, and durable with proper wood (e.g., oak, locust).

Cons: Very high cost, labor-intensive to build and maintain (painting/staining).

6. Mesh Wire (Hardware Cloth, Hex Net)

How it Works: Small-gauge wire mesh with very small openings (1/4” to 1/2” common).

Best For: Predator-proofing coops and runs, protecting young seedlings, containing small animals like rabbits.

Pros:Provides exceptional security against digging and climbing predators.

Cons: Expensive, can be difficult to work with, not for large areas.

7. Smooth Wire (Non-Electric)

How it Works:Multiple strands of plain wire stretched tightly between posts.

Best For: Rarely used alone anymore due to poor containment. Sometimes used as a base for electric fencing.

Pros: Low cost, long-lasting.

Cons:Easily breached, animals can get tangled, provides little deterrent.

 8. High-Tensile Non-Electric

How it Works: Similar to smooth wire but made from stronger, spring-tempered wire under high tension (often 12-15 gauge). Can include **polycoated** options for visibility.

Best For: Low-maintenance boundaries for cattle or horses when combined with a visual element (e.g., top rail).

Pros:Durable, long-lasting, moderate cost, low maintenance.

Cons:Requires proper installation with tensioning equipment, can be hard for animals to see.

 9. Pipe or Cable Fencing

How it Works: Horizontal pipes or steel cables run through or attached to metal posts.

Best For: High-traffic areas, feedlots, corrals, and arenas where maximum strength is needed. Common in equine and cattle facilities.

Pros: Extremely strong, durable, safe, low maintenance.

Cons:Very high cost, professional installation often required.

10. Living Fences (Hedges)

How it Works: Dense, thorny, or closely planted shrubs and trees (e.g., osage orange, hawthorn, multiflora rose).

Best For:Windbreaks, wildlife habitat, supplemental boundary fencing in sustainable agriculture systems.

Pros:Beautiful, provides ecosystem benefits, can be impenetrable.

Cons: Takes years to establish, requires maintenance, can harbor pests

Quick Decision Guide

Key Factors in Your Choice:

1.  Animal: Size, temperament, and tendency to challenge fences.

2.  Purpose:Perimeter vs. internal cross-fencing.

3.  Budget: Initial cost vs. long-term maintenance.

4.  Terrain: Rocky, hilly, or wet land affects installability.

5.  Predators: Determine if you need a physical or psychological barrier.

6.  Local Codes: Check for any fencing regulations or setback requirements.

Final Advice:Visit other farms** to see what works in your area. For a first-time installation, **consult with an experienced farmer or professional installer**. A well-planned and correctly installed fence will save you countless hours and headaches in the future.