A guide on deciding what type of fencing you should use based on the animals you are trying to keep in your homestead.
What types of fencing should I use for my animals?
There are several types of fencing to use for animals, some of the most common are high tensile wire, woven wire, post and rail, and barbed wire. However, each type of fencing is suited for different animals.
High Tensile Wire Fencing
High tensile fencing is smooth wire that is strung along T-Posts, and can be used with electricity to create an even stronger barrier. Typically ranging from three to ten wires per fence. Tractor supply has a great article for referencing that can be found here at https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/cms/life-out-here/garden-home-land/fencing/hi-tensile-fencing
Woven Wire Fencing
Woven Wire fencing is a grid style wire that comes in various grid sizes and various heights. When installing this type of fence, the smallest grid goes at the bottom.
Post and Rail Fencing
Post and rail fencing is typically wood posts with two wood rails that attach between the posts. You can additionally add tensile wire or woven wire to further strengthen the fence. Depending on the wood, the cost can vary.
Temporary Fencing
Temporary fencing includes screen mesh fencing or other plastic mesh. Perfect for sectioning off small areas for smaller animals. This type of fencing is easy to move if needed but may need more repair as it is not as sturdy as metal or wood fences.
Electric Net Fencing
Electric Net Fencing can also be temporary fencing. Great for creating small patches of fenced in area to keep small to medium animals enclosed.
Welded Panel Fencing
Welded panel fencing is metal fencing shaped into a straight rectangle in various lengths and heights as well as varying grid sizes. Panels are easier to install if you have the means to transport them to your home.
Wood Panel Fencing
Wood panel fencing is most used for privacy fencing in residential areas. It is also a great means to keep in animals but can be relatively costly to install.
Barbed Wire Fencing
Barbed wire fencing is a double wire with either two or four barbs. Typically attached with T-Posts and is very heavy duty. This wire is also built with three to ten strands like tensile wire. Keep in mind, most city residential areas do not allow barbed wire fencing. Check with your local city hall to see if barbed wire is a material you may use.
Hardware Cloth
Hardware cloth is a small grid wire used for keeping small animals in and large predators out. It comes in varying grid sizes and can be rather costly. However, well worth the investment of keeping your animals safe.
Chain Link Fence
Chain link fence is a smooth diamond grid wire that is woven together like woven wire fence. Secured with metal posts cemented into the ground.
Common Homestead Animals and the Fencing they Require
Pigs
Pigs need a much tougher grid style wire like the woven wire fencing, or welded panel fencing. Keep in mind pigs are notorious for digging under fences, so using electric elements on the bottom of fences will help keep in your pigs.
Goats and Sheep
When fencing in goats and sheep, use a woven wire fence, welded panel fencing, or a mix of woven wire fencing and electric high tensile fencing.
Goats require a tougher fence than sheep as they are stronger scavengers and use their hind legs and front legs to eat leaves on small trees. Also, if your breed of goats has horns, the goat may get stuck with their head through a fence, using a smaller gage woven wire will help.
Cows
Cows require a very sturdy fence. Cattle like to walk the fence line in search of food and may test the integrity of a fence if there is something they want on the other side. Using barbed wire, grid wire, electric tensile wire, or post and rail fencing will help keep your cattle in.
For our family, we have used T-posts and barbed wire fencing for decades without any issues. We have only had to repair it in the event of drastic weather changes.
Chickens
Chickens are typically kept in a pen but may have freedom to roam in a chicken run or around a backyard.
Chicken wire, small grid woven wire, and electric net fencing all work well with keeping chickens enclosed if they are free to roam. For chickens that are confined to a coop, using hardware cloth is a better option as it will keep predators out better than chicken wire. Be mindful, that aerial predators may also try to get in the chicken coop, use chicken wire or more hardware cloth to cover the top.
Dogs
Dogs can be enclosed with several different kinds of fence. The cheapest options being temporary mesh fencing or multiple stranded barbed wire fencing. However, dogs are very different depending on breed. Be sure to research your dog’s behavior before deciding on the fencing they may need.
Rabbits
Rabbits, like chickens, may be held in a pen, or free range. Be sure to use small gage wire for these animals as they are great escape artists. Using electric net fencing may also be beneficial to prevent them from digging under the fence.
Horses
Most commonly, you will see horses enclosed with a post and rail type fencing.
But much like cattle, horses can be enclosed in a very sturdy fence like barbed wire or tensile wire. However, using welded panels designed for horses is always a great recommendation.
What is the one fence that can be used for all animals?
Woven Wire Fencing
Except for chickens and rabbits, having a woven wire fence that is four to six feet tall will enclose all homestead animals and prevent them from escaping.
Key Factors when Deciding your Fence
What fence is easiest to build?
Panel fencing is the easiest to build as it comes in large footage and is already straight.
What fence is the sturdiest?
Besides building a brick wall, woven fencing or grid fencing is considered the sturdiest fence due to its ability to keep in most animals.
How often do I need to repair my fence?
If building the fence right with good quality materials, you will not need to repair the fence unless a tree falls on it, or extreme weather takes it out.
*Be sure to check your fence line every few months depending on the size of your property.
How long does a fence last?
A decent fence will last 15 to 20 years, some even longer if well maintained.
What tools do I need to build a fence?
- Gloves
- Wire cutters or fence tool
- Post hole driver
- Auger
- Hammer
- String line
- Level
- Tape Measure
- Fence Stretcher
How many gates will I need in my fence?
Depending on where your fence is located, you will want at least 2 gates. One for pedestrians, and one for working with larger equipment. For larger animals, you will want a gate that works for that animal.
How to prevent leaning in a fence?
Start off with a good build, make sure the corner posts and terminal posts are well anchored. Over time the fence will lean if the soil gives from torrential rain or soggy weather conditions. To fix a leaning fence, you can install extra fence posts to prop the fence back up. However, if the fence gets too broken, it will need to be replaced.
What does building a fence cost?
| Type of Fence | Cost of Fence per Linear Foot in USD *based on 2022 prices* |
| High Tensile Fence | $0.70 – $2.00 per foot |
| Woven Wire Fence | $1.10 – $2.50 per foot |
| Post and Rail Fence | $20 per foot *depends on type of wood |
| Temporary Fence | $0.34 – $1.10 per foot |
| Electric Net Fence | $1.10 – $2.00 per foot |
| Wire Panel Fence | $1.74 – $3.00 per foot |
| Wood Panel Fence | $16 – $26 per foot *depends on type of wood or material |
| Barbed Wire Fence | $0.03 – $0.08 per foot |
| Hardware Cloth Fence | $2.20 – $3.40 per foot |
| Chain Link Fence | $10 – $20 per foot |
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