Protecting Your Pets With Fencing

Today you can see many different types of fences and pen for animals from Horses, Cattle to Sheep and Dogs.  Many people who have animals want to house them in for protection and some want to keep other animals from coming in.  Deer are one of those animals as well as raccoons, opossums, bear and the like.  Some use their animals to protect them and so need a place to keep them. 

There are many kinds of fences that you can use to give them room to roam and protect them from predators.  

While Wooden Fences are still good and cheap there are newer types of fencing now available such as Invisible and Electric.  In this article I will discuss the different fence structures, the best types of wood to use and some other odds and ends pertaining to your animal’s security and fences.

Zig Zag Fence used on Battlegrounds
This one is used as a Garden Accent.

To start here is a bit of interesting trivia on fencing:  In Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky and other heavily wooded states the normal fence was made from the trees they fell to clear the land.  The portable Wattle type fence was used to keep their small livestock in like pigs and sheep and it was easily built using small saplings. In 1870 woven wire and Barbed wire fencing became popular for the cattle and sheep herders in the mid-west where there were no trees.  This type of fence was easy to install and was the most economical.

Types of Wooden Fencing Suitable for Animal Pens:

Stockade:  The highest security with a fence you can get.  Your animals will be totally safe from the outside and the outside cannot come in.  There are even several topper types available to add décor.

Split Rail Fences are usually two rails high are very pretty and are cheap.  You can make them higher than the basic 2 rails according to the size of your animals which you wish to fence in.  Giant sized dogs such as; the Black Russian, Great Pyranees, Mastiffs, Irish Wolfhounds, Newfoundlands and the like.  Ponies would also fit into this type of fencing. I have seen chicken wire or other wired fencing attached to the inside of that split rail.  It looks pretty and is durable.

Picket:  Very cute and country looking and will keep in smaller animals and dogs.

All of the above fences require posts to be put into the ground.  Each fence type requires a certain length between the posts.  For instance: Wired fencing posts should be spaced between 14 and 16 feet apart, if in a straight line.  For wooden fencing it is wise to space the poles between 5 and 8 feet apart.  If going around a curve space the poles closer together for more stability.  When planning to build your fence of this type you will want to choose the best trees or lumber that lasts the longest for your needs. Pressure treated last the longest in all these woods. Be sure to treat the wood that will be below ground with Creosote or other wood preservers.

Here is a listing the life expectancy of treated and the most popularly trees used.

·        Birch, will last 10-20 years.

·        Black Locust will last approximately 20-30 years and does not need to be treated.

·        Cedar, will last 20-30 years

·        Oak, 15-20 years.

·        Pine, will last 20-30 years

·        Redwood lasts 20-30 years.

Note:  If you think that your dog will dig under it or an animal will get into your chicken or rabbit pen. This is what you can do to prevent that from happening.  Dig a 2 foot trench and bury some chicken wire between the posts.  Very Course Steel Wool works too for a smaller fenced area.   

Other Types of Fencing used to contain animals

Barbed Wire:  I have seen this on Livestock farms.  I have also seen it added to the top of wooden type fences such as Stockade and wood framed Woven Wire.  I guess it would depend on what kinds of outside things you want to deter from jumping or climbing over your fence.

Woven Wire including Chicken Wire:  I have seen the metal posts holding these woven wires up.  You will need a fence stretcher to get these types of fence tight.  They have an apparatus that helps you sink in those posts that looks similar to a really deep cup.  You put the cup over the top of the post and slam it down several times until the post is as deep as it needs to be.

Chain Link:  You can get this type as high as you need it and it is very durable and will last for years.  There are also strips of metal that you can thread through the links for privacy.

This is just my opinion but I hate seeing a dog in one of those small enclosed chain link fences.  Dogs weren’t made to be kept in them.  Try sitting in one yourself out there in the elements.  If you want to protect your land then please get something that doesn’t need to be loved, cuddled, neither fed nor needs water or human contact to do its job.  There are many home security systems out now that can do anything from a basic package of an alarm system to taking pictures or movies when you are not at home or are sleeping.    

Electric:  This is on posts attached with insulators and a main electric box, similar to a small transformer.  You can have 2, 3, 4, or 5 lines on these poles. Touching the wire will give off a bolt of electricity to whatever hits it. You can purchase all the equipment you need for these at Tractor Supply on the right side of this page. Don't make these mistakes: http://www.ibiblio.org/farming-connection/grazing/features/fencemis.htm

Invisible:  These run underground so no one sees the fence.  A special collar is put on your animals and when they get close to the fence line the collar emits an electric signal letting them know not to cross over that line.  These are perfect for those who live in neighborhoods that do not allow physical fencing.  These can also be purchased at Tractor Supply on the right.

For Fences for a great looking Garden please visit Garden Fences

© Debra K. Allen a.k.a Lady Guinevere

I researched and wrote this article. Please do not copy and paste any part of this article, picture included for your own use. I will find you and report you for stealing.  It is my right to change any information therein at any time and/or change the location of my article.