FENCING & PANELS 101
Fencing Options for Goats, Sheep & Swine
A good rule of thumb for selecting a fence design for a project pen is to select the proper fence material for your species.
- 3-4’ – Pigs or other small livestock
- 5’ – Goats, Sheep & Horses
- 6’ – Dog kennels
BASIC GOALS TO CONSIDER FOR YOUR PEN ARE:
- Good Pen Space – 8’ x 10’ plus Shelter
- Safe – No sharp edges and free from dog or other carnivores
- Secure & Strong
FENCING QUESTION
– There are a few basic questions to answer before you choose your fencing type.
- How many times will you use this pen? Is it a multi-year project or a single use pen?
- How much to you have to invest?
- How much space do you have?
- Will the pen be in your backyard or at a livestock farm?
- What will be the best design for you?
FENCING MATERIAL TYPES
Galvanized Solid Panels – Great option for multi-year projects
Welded Wire Panels – Great for the long term – Medium Priced
No-Climb Wire – Great option for attaching to existing fencing.
Galvanized Panels
Price range $400-700
– My favorite fencing type because they are:
- Strong, clean and safe
- Rust Resistant (mostly)
- Portable & fold away neatly when not in use
- Bolt together quickly
- Great for all types of animals
- Come in a variety of heights and lengths
- Can be resold – they hold a good resale value
WELDED WIRE PANELS - GALVANIZED
Price range $150-300
Galvanized welded wire panels (4 gauge) come in 16′ lengths, with various heights and multiple space patterns of the wire. These panels are light weight and flexible and are easy to attach to t-posts or wood fence posts using wire or fence staples. The panels are sturdy, low maintenance and sag resistant. They won’t break down or collapse when the animals rub against it. These panels can be setup to be bare bones basic or fancy and permanent (See the gallery of ideas at the end of the article).
NO CLIMB ROLLED WIRE MESH
Price range $100-200
No-Climb Rolled Mesh wire comes in two wire gauges and typically on a 100’-150’ roll in various heights. It is best attached to an existing fence or with 2”x 4” rails & wood posts or panels. It cannot be used alone with t-posts because goats and sheep will stand up on the wire and warp it. Because of this, it is recommended to buy the heavier 12 gauge over the lighter 16 gauge that will bend out of shape. A bottom rail is key in keeping the wire taunt, straight & your animals in!
For more ideas on fencing and pen setup designs, take a look at:
