Agricultural Equipment and Supplies: Optimising and Maintaining Your Equipment

Agricultural Equipment and Supplies: Optimising and Maintaining Your Equipment

Fencing Options for Your Livestock

by Micheal Webb

If you are getting into livestock farming, you need to know the best fencing for the animals you want to keep. Choosing a proper livestock fence will save you hours of trying to round up your animals when they stray. Also, good fences will ensure harmony with your neighbors, because they will not appreciate loose animals in their compound. Different species of livestock may have different fencing needs, so here are some of the viable options based on the livestock on the farm.

Horses and Ponies

Horses and ponies are wild and they tend to get into trouble often. They also like to scratch on anything they can find. In light of this, horse and pony fencing needs to be safe. Most experts recommend board fencing. This refers to wooden posts that have planks nailed to them. If you have ponies, ensure that the board placed at the bottom is not too far from the ground. This is because ponies can easily roll under the fence and get away. Fences that hold wild stallions need to be reinforced and high enough because these horses can jump. If you find board fences to be too expensive, you can go for mesh wire; however, ensure that it is properly reinforced.

Cattle Fencing

Board fencing is ideal for cattle; however, ensure that there are no nails sticking out because the cattle may rub on them. Tightly strung wire is another good fencing option. Cattle fencing should also be kept high, because cattle too can jump. Electric wire can be used; however, you can consider putting another fence in between. This is because calves can easily duck under this fence. If you have bulls, consider other fencing options such as board fencing. Bulls tend to charge easily and run right through the electric fence.

Chicken and Other Poultry

Chicken, duck and most poultry animals attract many predators. The type of fencing used needs to be sturdy. Wire mesh is a good option, but it should not have very large openings. This is because many predators can easily crawl in. If you are concerned about owls and hawks, you can cover the chicken pen using nylon mesh. To ward off raccoons and predators that can dig their way in, you can use electric wire. Poultry can also fly easily, and height considerations need to be made.

Fences need to be monitored regularly and potential problems fixed. It is good practice to have spare fencing supplies to cater for emergency repairs.


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About Me

Agricultural Equipment and Supplies: Optimising and Maintaining Your Equipment

Welcome to my blog. My name is Joe. Growing up on a farm was the perfect life for me as a kid. I loved to run around, spend time quietly, work on equipment and watch the process of plants growing. I even enjoyed helping my mum with the books as I got older. Now, however, I'm not involved in the day-to-day routines of a farm. Instead, I live a pretty "standard" city life, but I still love to write about it and do whatever gardening I can in my small flat. When I'm not writing or pining after moving back to the country, you can find me watching classic films, reading or jogging.

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