Security is an essential aspect of our lives. We take a lot of measures to ensure that we, including our properties, are safe. The obvious option has always been fencing our homesteads.
Whether you want to farm or intend to build a home, a fence is one of the first things you will consider. The type of fence you use will be determined by the intended use and size of the plot.
Budgeting is vital to ensure you have complete and good quality work. You need to have details on the cost and materials you need to fence your property. So let us look into the budget for your project;
How much does it cost to fence an acre?
The cost of fencing an acre will differ depending on the location and the material used in the project. On average, fencing in the United States costs between $12 and $16 per linear foot.
An acre of land will require between 835 and 885 feet of the fence, depending on the shape. This would bring the whole budget to $10,000 -15,000 for a regular shaped acre of land.
Details On The Fencing Budget
The exact amount of money used will defer depending on the location and shape of your property. A property with irregular shapes would require more corner posts, and it will be more expensive.
If the property is square or rectangular, you would need only four corner posts. You would need materials in making a fence; barbed wire, nails, posts, insulators, concrete, and other materials.
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The number of posts you use will depend on the interval between the posts. Shorter intervals allow for tighter wire designs. It will also make the fence generally stronger.
The posts could vary in size depending on their positions. Generally, corner posts are made more robust and more prominent to support the weight of the fence.
You would also need concrete to hold the posts in the ground.
Concrete will last longer, and it will maintain the grip on the posts. If you live in stormy areas that need solid fences, concrete is vital in installation.
Concrete will also help you keep termites and ants out of the posts, which will help with durability. Termites would otherwise damage the wood, and the posts would eventually start falling.
Most posts are pressure treated to prevent termites from damaging them. You can also paint them with asphalt emulsion to give them a little extra protection.
Look into the details of the post so that you know if they need treatment.
If you are planning to make the fence electric, then you could use timeless T-Posts. They are metallic, and they will save you the trouble of buying insulators for each post.
The following essential aspect is the wire. You could use high tensile wire or barbed wire, depending on your intentions. It would not be advisable to use barbed wire with animals since it might cause injuries.
The length of wire you need is the perimeter of your property, multiplied by the number of strands. The strands vary depending on the space left between them. Smaller spaces are more secure.
You will need nails if you use wood posts. Every time you wrap the wire around the wood post, you need to secure it with a nail. This wrapping will ensure that the wire stays taut.
Putting together all these materials and paying for labor will cost you around 15,000 dollars. Prices will vary in the posts, wire, and type of fence you install.
Main Types Of Farm Fences
In farming, fences are very commonly used to control the animals. The type of fence will depend on the animal type and size. For instance, poultry will need smaller fences than cows or deer.
You need a fence to prevent livestock from leaving and also to protect them from predators. There are several standard fence designs that you need to learn about before making your final choice;
1. Field Fencing
Field fencing is a fence that is mainly used for sheep, goats, and poultry. They are difficult to contain since they can jump high and squeeze through tight spaces.
Poultry generally requires less strength in terms of wires. For chicken, you should use meshed wires with small gaps. Meshed fences will ensure that the chicken doesn’t go through the fence.
If the gaps are significant, then a chicken can slip through them. The posts can be spaced further apart since the chickens are not strong enough to push through the fence.
For turkeys, you should use the same fencing as you would a goat. Turkeys are big and relatively strong. The fence you use should be able to contain them.
The poles should be stronger and the mesh more rigid. You could add an electric current to the fence as a deterrent. A current will ensure that the turkeys don’t disturb the fence, which will make it last longer.
The fence is also supposed to keep predators away from your poultry. When making a fence, ensure that it is strong enough to keep wild animals away from your birds.
Field fences for goats and sheep are stronger. They are made to withstand more force than poultry. They can be electrified, and they are movable if you are paddocking the animals.
You could use hinge knot fences or fixed knot fences. Hinge knot fences are reinforced at every wire intersection, and they offer superior strength.
Fixed-knot fences are reinforced at intersections horizontally and vertically. This reinforcement will ensure that horizontal wires don’t slide when animals attempt to get up the fence.
2. Barbed Wire Fencing
Barbed wire is an option for more giant animals. Barbed wires work with the same concept as electrified fences. They train the animal to stay away from the fence since they get hurt by the wire.
Barbed wires have been banned in some places, but they are effective. They will work well for cows since they are docile. Do not use this kind of wire on horses since they might run into it and get fatally injured.
Highly aggressive animals can also go through barbed wire. It is also dangerous to the farmer. Barbed wire is good for security, but it is not a good choice for animals.
3. High Tensile Wire Fencing
As suggested by the name, High tensile wires are made to be extremely tough. They can withstand a lot of torque, and they can’t get stretched.
They have been made to ensure that they don’t break under the weight of large animals or trees. A high tensile wire would be a safer option compared to barbed wire.
They will pose no danger to you or your animals. High tensile fencing is a bit more expensive, but it is worth it. It is more durable than the older galvanized wires. It can stay strong for up to 50 years.
Another advantage of using high tensile posts is the reduction in the number of posts. The wires are stronger; you can therefore tighten it over a longer space which reduces posts used.
4. Electric Fence
An electric fence is probably the best choice in farming. The point of a fence is to keep the animals in and keep predators out. An electric fence will do both very well.
Animals will get shocked when they make contact with the wire. They will eventually stay away from the fence; thus, controlling them will be easy.
In case a predator tries to get in, then it will also get shocked. This will be an excellent way to keep them away from the fence, thus protecting your animals.
With the current advancements in technology, you could use solar energy. Solar will save your cash in terms of electrical bills. There will be some additional costs due to installation, but it will be worth it.
5. Pipe, wood, and other materials
This type of fence is mainly used on horse farms or farms where the livestock will try to get out of the enclosure. Pire or wood fencing might turn out to be pretty expensive to install and maintain.
The advantage of this type of fencing is that it is safe for your animals. They are visible and blunt. Even if an animal runs into the fence, it won’t get hurt.
Wood would also be a good option for creating paddocks. The wood will make it easier to herd the livestock. A fence of this kind would also be strong enough to keep predators away from your animals.
Conclusion
Fencing your property is crucial. A fence will come in whether you want to farm or you want to ensure your privacy.
For a farmer, there are several viable options to select from. Choosing the correct type of fence will keep you at ease since the animals will be safe. As a general precaution, you should avoid using barbed wire on animals.
Horses should be enclosed using wood or pipe fences. Horses run a lot, and they might end up running into a wire and getting severe injuries—budget well for your fencing needs before you begin any project.