Fencing question here

[LFRJ]

Our big dream (and big necessity) will hopefully come to fruition this summer. We're merely trying to fence in about two acres total. At this point, the goal is to allow our chickens and geese to free-range, and keep coyotes (main predators) out.

Our plan is to build a regular wooden fence with pressure treated 4x4's and 2 by's , then "line" with galvanized weldwire fencing. We vascillated over height, but decide on going 60 inches. The wood work is mainly because this would line the front of our property and we want it to look nice. Toward "the back forty" more out of view - we'd use a combo of 4x4's and t-posts.

When I called our local feed store for prices, I was told that the weld wire would not hold out coyotes. They could "butt" their way through it and the welds would not hold. Seriously - do coyotes butt? We don't have many pennies. Horse fencing is 100' @ $189. Hogwire or field fencing is a bit cheaper (but uglier) and they only stock rolls 47" high. In contrast - galvanized weldwire is 100' @ $97. You can see why we're trying to be frugal.

Does this sound right? I know coyotes dig, and in desperation - climb - but butt? Is our plan doomed? We have patched and walled a couple of areas on our chicken run and goose paddock with galvanized weld wire and we've yet to have a coyote penetrate, in fact, I've yet to see evidence of any attempt to even dig. (and trust me, we have a lot of coyotes in these parts).

I could mention that our fearless farm collie also would inhabit our fenced acreage, who is not invinceable, but has shown that she has every intention of holding her ground.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[agmantoo]

You are going to have expense and labor in building any fence. Whatever wire you decide to use you need to read the specs on the coating on the wire. Do not use any wire that has less than a grade 3 galvanizing. An electric fence charger connected to a couple of strands near the ground should keep predators out with the exception of coons and possums. You will need to secure your animals at night regardless. Will the coyotes butt? No. They will climb, chew , dig. For me, I would install a lesser height main wire fence but electrify at the bottom and the top using high tensile barb wire with a quality charger connected to the mains.

[BamaSpek]

I did/have done alot of research on fencing as we have to put up some up this month.

Everything I have read has suggested a 5-7 wire high tensile fence with a strong electric charger. Bottom two wires close to the ground then space up to the top equal.

It is less expensive as a perimeter fence , as you can space the poles further apart(depending on slope). This is what we are going to use as a perimeter fence around 10 acres and then for the acre around the house we will use woven wire and wooden.

[bergere]

Coyotes will not butt through Woven field fence(properly stretched) with Hot wire.

Here is our predator proof fencing that is just a shade under 8' tall.
Heavy duty T-posts every 7', camel backs every 100', double camel backs on the corners, heavist gage hot wire for sale and a predator rated charger. Hot wire low enough coyotes and dogs can't dig under and high enough to keep bobcats out and discourage cougar. Wired on both sides of the fence.
Needless to say we have had years of dealing with a very active and agressive predator base in this area.
And I want to be able to sleep at night without worry.

Fencing is not quite finished in these pictures.


gates are always week points... under the dirt we have 1/2" by 1/2" hardware cloth..so animals can't dig under the gate. Wire over the top so the predators can't go over.


We did this fencing after a Bobcat got in and layed open my donkey's face down to the bone and and left claw marks down both her flanks from the back. In the night pasture near the house.

Now the fencing around the main field isn't this good.....yet.

[plowjockey]

Originally Posted by BamaSpek

I did/have done alot of research on fencing as we have to put up some up this month.

Everything I have read has suggested a 5-7 wire high tensile fence with a strong electric charger. Bottom two wires close to the ground then space up to the top equal.

It is less expensive as a perimeter fence , as you can space the poles further apart(depending on slope). This is what we are going to use as a perimeter fence around 10 acres and then for the acre around the house we will use woven wire and wooden.

Good plan. We have a 5 wire, with 3 wires hot. Lowest is 6" off ground. Purchased the best charger TSC sold.

We saved a lot of money and time, by using (used) metal "t" posts for line posts and wood in concrete for corner posts.

Very happy with the results and has kept out predators for over 2 years.

[vallyfarm]

I read all those books, so I started with the 5 wire ele. fence. By the end of the week I was up to a 9 wire ele fence. I ended up using woven wire. It is the only fence that STOPS an animal from going through. The ele just strongly suggests they don't go through. This was all for 1 sheep. Don't get me wrong, I had a couple dozen sheep, but the fence was for one of them. After I installed the woven wire fence I never have to worry about the power going out, grass leaning against a wire, or any other random event occuring. I do run 1 strand of barbed wire at ground level to prevent digging under and one wire of barbed with juice through it on top, but if the wire should short out the wire is still effective. I have seen coydogs around the fences, but have never had one come in in over 15 years with the fence. And from the looks of it it should out last me easily. Mike

[April]

Bergere, that is one amazing fence. I can't imagine anything it wouldn't keep in OR out!

[fantasymaker]

LFRJ
YES ITS DOOMED fenceing is only effective against ground , not flying animals.
Heck your fence idea isnt even close to whats needed for dogs.
It sounds like you want a kentucky horse fence look and while thats great for horses in kentucky its not what you need.
So suck it up and save up for what you do need and thats at least 6 and better yet 8 feet of woven wire with 2x4" holes . Put hot wires on top and near the bottom outside on sperate chargers and you have a pretty good start.
Read Bergere's post and look at the pictures!
A cheeper starter way if you have to do something now is to buy the 10 ' posts you need now and put up just 4' woven wire then add to it as you can..
But I bet your adding the electric ASAP!


BERGERE ! WOW Thank God to have some back up in my fence rants!

http://homesteadingtoday.com/showthread.php?t=153831 I bumped it up to be easyer to find but its a thread on how I wasnt smart enough to spend the bucks up front to build a good fence.

[bergere]

Thank you April.

LOL fantasymaker... you are welcome. We have had many, many years building fence and figuring out what works and what doesn't. VBG
Our night pasture above is 2 acres... cost us $2,700 for all the supplies. We already had the charger. Well worth the investment!!

For flying predators...best thing to do is keep an eye and ear out. If you hear or see one go out and stand among the chickens/ducks and what ever. Pretty soon the birds of prey give up and go away.