A Guide To Electric Fencing For Your Livestock
If you keep livestock as a hobby or as part of your business, you'll need to make sure that they are securely fenced-in so that there's no chance of them escaping onto your neighbour's land or onto the road. Electric fencing is a great addition to wooden post and rail, but with several different types to choose from, how do you know which is the best option? Read on for a quick overview of the electric fencing options that are available.
1. Electric tape
Electric tape can be used as a stand-alone option or as an extra layer of security when strung behind an existing solid fence or wall. Tape has a number of advantages:
- rust-proof
- durable in all weathers
- comes in brown, green or white so to contrast with the backdrop of your paddocks or greensward, improving the visibility of your fencing
Electric tape can be purchased in several different widths, depending on how visible you want it to be. For example, if you have horses, a wider, stronger tape will be best, as it's easy for the horses to pick out when they're galloping around your paddocks. Cattle on the other hand are generally slower-moving, so you could use a narrower tape.
If you live in an area that's prone to high winds, a thinner tape would be a better option as it's less likely to be blown down.
2. Electric wire
Although it isn't as strong as steel wire fencing, electric wire doesn't rust and makes a good fencing solution for slow-moving animals, such as cattle or sheep. It's also perfect for stringing along the back of post and rail fencing to stop horses from chewing the wood.
Electric wire fencing comes on a reel so it is easy to store and simple to deploy, making it perfect for temporary fencing. This is ideal if you want to divide your paddocks for strip-grazing during the spring or to fence-off muddy areas in the winter.
3. Electric rope
Rope fencing is more durable and robust than wire, because it is thicker and is usually reinforced with steel thread. It doesn't rust and comes in a range of colours to improve visibility. It's also perfect if your land is exposed and open to windy conditions, as it doesn't offer the same resistance as tape, so is less likely to be blown down.
4. High-tensile wire
High-tensile electrified wire fencing is really only suitable as a permanent fencing solution for slow-moving animals that are kept in a large area. Although this type of fencing is not vulnerable to wind damage and is very strong, creatures such as horses or deer could be badly injured if they were to run into the tightly strung wire.
High tensile wire is particularly suitable if you need to string your fence over a long distance, because of its superior conductivity capabilities.
In conclusion
If you keep livestock, electric fencing is a cost-effective and very efficient way of containing them safely. It can be used as a stand-alone solution or in conjunction with post and rail, walling or hedging. Have a chat with your local fencing contractor for more advice and information on what electric fencing options would be most suitable for your needs.
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