Different Types of Farm or Ranch Fences

Every fence is built the same right? Pound a few posts in the ground, nail a few runners to them and then pray you didn’t hit a buried cable. Unfortunately, this is the mindset of a lot of homeowners and farmers who don’t realize that building a fence is a job best left to a professional. Sparrow Excavation and Fencing is a professional installer of fences for homes, businesses, and farms in and around Lillooet, BC, and they’d like to help you get to know the different fencing options available for farms and ranches.

Barbed Wire

A classic go-to for managing cattle, a barbed-wire fence is built with five or six lateral strands attached to metal or wooden posts. The fence acts as a deterrent for animals because of the barbs located at regular intervals on the wire and gives a painful prick if the animals touch them. The benefit of barbed wire fences comes in their usefulness and their cost-effectiveness. Large, docile animals like cows and sheep do well and while some may not find barbed wire fences to be unsightly, they allow the natural beauty of the landscape to come through. Keep in mind that barbed wire fences do nothing against larger, aggressive animals, but are relatively inexpensive to set up.

Deer and Wildlife Fence

Considered a specialty fence, the woven/knotted wire is often six feet tall and features a grid design. The squares near the ground are small in comparison to prevent wildlife from passing through but become more spacious near the top to allow for visibility. These fences are effective against deer and other game, plus may help prevent larger predators from reaching the livestock.

Chicken Wire

Despite the name, a chicken-wire fence is so much more than a cage for your poultry. Chicken wire fencing, when installed by a professional, will house your birds as well as protect them from smaller predators such as foxes, owls, and coyotes. Chicken wire is a cost-effective fencing, perfect for near the house, temporary fixtures, and for protecting your garden from pests. Chicken wire fencing has a familiar diamond-grid pattern and is often secured with wooden posts.

Electric Fence

An electric fence normally takes one of two forms, a fully electrified panel, or two/three wires that have a current and are placed on an existing fence. In the case of a fully electrified panel, these fences are designed to be charged at all times and deter livestock when they’re brushed up against. A single or double-strand electric fence is normally mounted to an existing fence or held up by stakes. Though not considerably dangerous, it is important to teach small children about the dangers of an electric fence. We have experience in building up to 9-wire standalone systems as well.

Choose a Fence

If you’re unsure about which type of fence is best for your land or farm, reach out to Sparrow Excavation and Fencing today for a free estimate.