Can we talk about fencing?

Catalytic · #1 07/26/11, 01:14 AM

I REALLY want to get going on fencing my property, but $$$ is an issue, of course.

My property is 5.75 acres, with half, or a little more than half, wooded (not overly thick, it's been bush-hogged in the past, the trees are fairly well spread out), shaped almost in a rectangle. I'm guessing the houses are on 2-2.5 acres of grass, I don't want that fenced. Rough estimate, I have 2112 feet of fencing needed (that's over by a bit, but the only way I can measure it is with my car, so...that's my best guess.)

I think electric is my cheapest and probably best option, but I'm just not sure. An old farmer I talked to said he has found the best fencing to hold his animals is 7 strands (he may have actually said 5), with every other strand hot.

Is electric a viable perimeter fence? How much better is welded wire with a strand or two of hot on the top and around the mid point to keep the critters off of it?

My stock will include: horses (doubtful, but if I put up a fence, my tenant will likely bring his horses here, so I should be ready for them), pigs (maybe, may keep them in their pen), goats, cow(s), chickens, geese, and guardian dogs. My predators include: bears (rarely, but there is at least one in the area, my tenant keeps his horses boarded about 7 miles away and one was attacked last weekend by what we are fairly certain was a bear, and if not, it was a HUGE cat of some sort...not sure what big cats are in our area, *maybe* a Florida panther ventured up. A bear with cubs was seen ON OUR PROPERTY about 7 years ago), LOTS of coyotes, raccoons, and I'm not sure what else. I am mostly concerned with the LGDs, cattle, and goats, the rest can be penned separately if needed, and I can tell tenant NO on the horses.

Can I use landscape timbers for posts? If so, roughly how many years do you think they would last. (If I can't, I probably will not be able to swing a fence for quite a while) How far apart to make the posts for whatever kind of fences you recommend?

If electric is viable, what gauge wire?

Most important, I live on a 55mph road, the fence will be roughly 30' from the road.

rambler · #2 07/26/11, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catalytic

Can I use landscape timbers for posts? If so, roughly how many years do you think they would last.[/COLOR][/B]

There are 2 grades of landscape timber, the real good ones that cost $$$$ which you aren't looking at; or the junk wood ones that aren't worth nothing - poor wood, dipped lightly in some preservative so they don't start rotting in the lumberyard display.... They are weak wood with no strength.

Don't use the cheap landscape poles for fence. Might last you 2-3 years.

Waste of time and money.

--->Paul

Bearfootfarm · #3 07/26/11, 02:31 AM

Electric will keep all those animals in (or out) as needed.
7 stands are better than 5

Landscape timbers don't make good posts.
You can buy REAL fence posts for about the same price since they don't have to be large diameter for electric fencing.

I use telephone poles for the corners and 2-3 inch line posts every 50 feet with 12 1/2 GA aluminum wire

Catalytic · #4 07/26/11, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

Eletric will keep all those animals in (or out) as needed.
7 stands are better than 5

Landscape timbers don't make good posts.
You can buy REAL fence posts for about the same price since they don't have to be large diameter for electric fencing.

I use telephone poles for the corners and 2-3 inch line posts every 50 feet with 12 1/2 GA aluminum wire

(Thanks to both of you for advising against the timbers)

Where would I look for good quality fence posts? I've been reading since I posted, and I am seeing that even the round fence posts from Lowe's and HD rot out after very few years. I found a place in Tampa, FL, but I don't think DH is going to agree to let me drive that far to buy posts LOL.

Alice In TX/MO · #5 07/26/11, 07:35 AM

Find a source for cedar posts.

BarbadosSheep · #6 07/26/11, 07:40 AM

Tractor supply has the BEST quaility treated fence posts. They are treated with the old treatment formulation which is still allowed for agriculture use. I believe they have a 40 year warranty. They are WELL worth the extra money! You can often find used t-posts for sale. We got a bunch of old used ones and put a fresh coat of rust-stop primer and green paint on them...good as new! Lowes sells red brand fence wire cheaper than tractor supply does, but TSC will match lowes price. Get on TSC's mailing list...they often send out 10% off coupons. I got my last roll of sheep and goat fence for only $214, regular price $286. they matched lowes $240 price and then gave me an additional 10% off that with my coupon. Woo hoo!!

Now here's a cool way to measure your property lines. Go to google earth (http://www.google.com/earth/index.html) and download the google earth program. It's free. Once it's loaded, open the program and put in your address. it will zoom to a satalite photo of your property. There is a feature that allows you to measure your property lines just by clicking on the start and end points. I don't have it loaded on my computer at work but if you can't find it I'll look for it when I get home and tell you where that feature is. It is really accurate!

Old John · #7 07/26/11, 07:44 AM

I guess they'd be hard to find, nowadays, but I like Black Locust posts, for permanent fence. They'll last at least 30 years, 50 if you're lucky. Hedge posts are better yet. They're good for 50 years for sure.
Not many folks cutting them now, though.

Bearfootfarm · #8 07/26/11, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Where would I look for good quality fence posts?

Here's what I use:
http://www.agrisupply.com/-post-cca-...39/cn/2200009/

You should be able to find a place that has them or can order them for you.

Utility companies often sell used poles pretty cheap as long as you have a way to haul larger pieces

HDRider · #9 07/26/11, 08:08 AM

I have an interest in the discussion here and am wondering why no one recommended steel fence posts.

moonkitten · #10 07/26/11, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarbadosSheep

Now here's a cool way to measure your property lines. Go to google earth (http://www.google.com/earth/index.html) and download the google earth program.

You don't even have to download it if you don't want to. Here is a website that uses the distance calculation feature. Just enter the location you want to look at.

http://www.daftlogic.com/projects-go...calculator.htm

ace admirer · #11 07/26/11, 09:32 AM

don't like steel post for electric fence,,,,every post is a point to ground fence when an insulator breakes

fishhead · #12 07/26/11, 09:32 AM

2,000' sounds like a LOT unless the property is long and skinny. An acre is only 208' X 208'

HDRider · #13 07/26/11, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ace admirer

don't like steel post for electric fence,,,,every post is a point to ground fence when an insulator breakes

I see a lot of folks use steel in my area.

BarbadosSheep · #14 07/26/11, 01:50 PM

I never had a problem using steel t-posts with electric fence. That's all I ever use! They are cheap (cheaper than wood anyway) and WAY easier to unstall using a post driver. I use treated wood corner posts from tractor supply for the corners and gate posts though. I use clip-on plastic electric insulators and have never had an issue.

ace admirer · #15 07/26/11, 01:54 PM

you fellows must not have deer in your area or perhaps your deer are smarter than our deer

in my area an electric fence within inches of hundreds of grounded rods does not work. if it does in your area,,,,then by all means use grounded rods as post. just kidding,,,,kind of...

BarbadosSheep · #16 07/26/11, 02:09 PM

We have plenty of deer and none have ever knocked the wire down. I have never had a t-post ground out my charger either.

ace admirer · #17 07/26/11, 02:29 PM

remarkable

Bearfootfarm · #18 07/26/11, 02:45 PM

Quote:

I have an interest in the discussion here and am wondering why no one recommended steel fence posts.

Lots of people use them.

I don't think they are as sturdy as wood posts set correctly.

If you plan on moving a fence around they are better.

Around here though, I can buy the smaller treated posts cheaper than T posts, and our sandy soil is easy to dig

Bearfootfarm · #19 07/26/11, 02:47 PM

Quote:

then by all means use grounded rods as post.

With the correct insulators, the post materiall shouldn't make any difference.
I just think wood is easier to work with

VA Shepherd · #20 07/26/11, 03:33 PM

I'm in the process of building fence, too, and Agrisupply's in-store prices are by far the best I've found. There's one in Tifton, GA, if that's close to you.

http://www.agrisupply.com/agri-suppl...ocations/a/80/

If you find locust posts, just remember to put them in upside down, or they'll sprout!

And you may find this useful:
http://pubs.ext.vt.edu/442/442-132/442-132.html