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Farm animals need a safe environment for living. Certain panels used for fences need to prevent cattle from escaping the area. They also serve as a visual barrier of your ground, preventing people and wild animals from coming in.
A cattle panel fence is a heavy-wire fencing material. It serves as protection of the perimeter from the penetration of foreign animals or the prevention of farm animals leaving their premises.
In the beginning, fences were built out of available materials, like wood and stone, and some are still used today. The most popular one used today is a panel fence.
What is a cattle panel fence?
On farms, fences serve an important function of restricting and protecting animals and crops. Fences can be made of lots of types of material. Originally, they were made from hardwood because it was sustainable and could last up to 100 years. This type of wood is, sadly, unavailable today.
Fences, especially for cattle, need to be sturdy and the best-recommended material to use is steel. Fences made out of steel are more durable, have good corrosion resistance, and are easier to work with. But on the other hand, steel will naturally succumb to rust.
Barbed wire is the most famous material used for cattle. It has been in use for more than 150 years. But, a lot of people avoid it since it is expensive and can injure the cattle.
Good cattle fences are made from quality materials and modern techniques, which helps them last longer. In the long run, it saves your budget because you don’t need to maintain them regularly. Cattle fences need to endure outdoor weather, meaning that heat, coldness, and humidity need to be taken into account.
Every animal has it’s fencing needs. That means that you couldn’t use the same fence for horses and goats. Panels for horses have wider grid openings and to use that panel for goats means that they can get their head stuck and injure themselves. Cattle fences need to have heavy posts; this is very important for strong bulls.
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What size is a cattle panel?
They usually come in a measure of 16 feet long by 50 inches wide with a grid opening from 4 to 8 inches. Variations in size depending on the model and manufacturer. Each of them weighs about 36 lbs. Generally, people would use bolt cutters if the fence is too tall for them.
To determine the size of a fence, you need to plan the installation of the fence by thinking about the behavior of your animals that could dig the ground or climb, jump or simply push the barrier to get out of their fence.
For example, goats are very active medium-sized animals, and commonly have horns. Experts say to use fences that have 3,5 inches of line spacing, so they can’t get their head stuck in a fence. Sheep are small, like goats, so you need to make sure that they cannot break through the fence.
Pigs can dig the ground and go under the fence. This problem can be solved by building a fence that sinks deep into the ground. Horses need a tall fence because they can easily jump over the small ones.
For cattle who are not used to handling, the fence should be from 4 to 6 feet tall. A cow needs a lot of space for grazing. A herd of about 10 cows should have a space of 20 acres.
How do you build a cattle panel fence?
First, you need to determine what type of fence you need to build. This depends on the animals you need to place in the enclosure and the perimeter of the land you want to surround. You want to know the dimensions of the place you want to enclose, so you can buy enough material. And also, get to know the regulations of fences in your area.
Plan where you want to put your gates. That way, you have control over who gets in and out of the area. You can have a small gate for people to come in and out and one large gate for the animals.
Cattle panels are easy to assemble and are very strong. But, some cattle like to lean on fences, so a lot of people opt for having electric fences. Electric fences have a low cost and are easier to relocate if needed. But, they require high maintenance.
Determine the type of livestock you have or will have, to consider the type of fence you need. Most fences are suitable for a wide selection of domestic animals, but it is recommended to not spend money on building one that does not meet your needs. Goats are known for their tendency to test, climb, jump, crawl, or even go through fences. So a fence for goats needs to be big enough that they can’t jump over it and at such depth that they can’t crawl under it. In the case of cattle, farm fences need to be more resilient and stable.
Perform terrain mapping to determine the exact perimeter of your land. This is crucial to determine where you will place permanent fences, especially if your land does not yet have an existing boundary, such as a road or tree line. You will also need to contact your utility and gas company to mark the underground pipes that can be found on your property.
You can choose iron plates that must be supported by wooden poles or the ones that are directly placed in the ground without the posts. The large panels are extremely sturdy and are perfect for closing powerful animals such as bulls and horses.
To properly organize the construction of your fence, you need to know in advance its layout, location of the portal, and route. You need to consider all of these elements to avoid later problems with the movement of your animals. Plan the type of reinforcement structures you want to use for your fence.
From the materials, you will need fence posts, which can be made out of wood or steel. Barbed wire, smooth or metal mesh, or even wooden boards or rods, are used to put on posts and enclose the terrain. The building of a fence should start with installing corner posts. Ensure that they are positioned vertically and that their tops are at the same distance from the ground.
You should lay one wire on all posts and it will be used as a guide for other lines, so it needs to be precise. The wires must be firmly attached to the posts to keep the fence strong. Be sure not to tighten up the wires too much, they will wear out faster, and you’ll need to replace them.
After you’re done with the fence, let your animals in the area. Keep an eye on them for a few hours to make sure they are calm and comfortable. Fencing the animals makes herding much easier and they can be rounded efficiently. You are isolating them from the wilderness, protecting them from many diseases.
Do cattle panels rust?
Iron and steel fences will rust when exposed to water and oxygen. They are more prone to rust in salty water and acid rain. But, in galvanized steel fences, the surface is protected which means that they can last up to 20 years, or more.
Mild rust damage can be fixed by using a wired brush on the area where rust appears. It is essential to remove any paint flakes and dirt. You can paint a new protective coat for the wires.
How long do cattle panels last?
As said before, hardwood cattle panels had a lifetime of 100 years. Today’s wood is usually much softer and needs high care, usually lasting for about 20 years. Without paint, pressure-treated wood will last for about seven years.
The best ones to use are steel fences and wired fences. With certain coats to protect them from rust, they can last a long time, with low maintenance. The lasting of a fence depends on the person who is setting them up. If a fence is set by a skilled person, it can stand for 30 years on the ground.
