The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: OhLaLa on June 23, 2011, 09:20:40 am
-
Fencing query here: We have a large field (over 10 acres) that we would like to move the sheep into. The field has hedgerow around it, but it obviously has loads of gaps - and also ditches. Part of it is adjacent to a very large pond.
Stock fencing is out of the question (because of the size and money it would take to do it all) - so what other options do we have for keeping the sheep in?
Strip grazing no good as we need it to stay 'in one piece' (also, when we've tried it they just barge through it). We've tried post and elec wire but the grass shorts it out quicker than you can say 'doh!' (I could spend all day out there strimming it back and still wouldn't get it all). Laying hedges is a long term project - and we need them in this summer.
Advice on how you do it please.
:sheep:
-
We use a lot of post and wire electric fencing and can do a very large area with it, have you tried just electifying the top two strands and leave the bottom one off.
Sometimes if they get a really good belt off it the first time they learn to respect the fence in the future. but watch the battery status the blighters know when its gone flat!
Other than that i suppose if you had enough hurdles; can you patch the holes with them?
-
Thanks for the reply feldar.
I've been giving this some thought for quite some time, and can only think of using post and wire (but thought I'd ask the question anyhow) - hadn't thought of leaving the bottom strand off the zapper though. What height do you suggest for each of the the 3 strands?
Hurdles not an option - to patch with those would cost more than the stock fencing (they'd almost be side by side).
:sheep: :farmer:
-
If you put in proper posts and wire, and replace with mesh in due course? We use proper sheep netting with top wire electrified on our 7.5 acre field, and yes it was quite a big cost to get it done....
-
Depends on your breed i suppose, we put it up for the hampshires about 2 foot up (top strand give or take an inch)then average out the other strands and i have to say barefaced sheep are more likely to stay in, they don't always feel it if they've got a very wooly head!
Most of the time the deer take it down because they don't see it but if it's in front of a hedge you should be ok.
Good luck
-
Decent sheep fencing costs.
Endov
:-\
-
How about getting someone in with a JCB and digging a series of ditches around the edge of the field?
If they're deep enough and wide enough they should stop the little bleaters getting out plus they'll help with the drainage.
-
How about getting someone in with a JCB and digging a series of ditches around the edge of the field?
If they're deep enough and wide enough they should stop the little bleaters getting out plus they'll help with the drainage.
This is a VERY good idea if it works - some ditches already in place - how deep and how wide? Post/wire (how many strand) as well?
-
How about getting someone in with a JCB and digging a series of ditches around the edge of the field?
If they're deep enough and wide enough they should stop the little bleaters getting out plus they'll help with the drainage.
This is a VERY good idea if it works - some ditches already in place - how deep and how wide? Post/wire (how many strand) as well?
3 strands will do it
-
Bite the bullets and stock fence it - treat it as an investment - do 1500 odd ££££ now to do the whole ten acres and will see it right for many years to come.
Even if you do the job yourself and the fence wanderers along it own higgldy pigglety line like mine its always going to be cheaper in the long run than trying to fence it on the cheap with 'temp' fencing.
You land must border onto someone elses - have you considered asking your neighbours for half the costs? (trouble with hedges is that they normally need two lots of fencing on either side!?)
Baz
-
We had the same problem but have no issues using this baby-
http://www.agrisellex.co.uk/hotshock-n50-2073-0.html (http://www.agrisellex.co.uk/hotshock-n50-2073-0.html)
20 acres divided into 4 fields it has sat me on my rear numerous times :D it is so powerfull that it kills vegetation no probs
-
We had the same problem but have no issues using this baby-
http://www.agrisellex.co.uk/hotshock-n50-2073-0.html (http://www.agrisellex.co.uk/hotshock-n50-2073-0.html)
20 acres divided into 4 fields it has sat me on my rear numerous times :D it is so powerfull that it kills vegetation no probs
-
Blimey! That thing's a bit of a beast.
-
Bite the bullets and stock fence it - treat it as an investment - do 1500 odd ££££ now to do the whole ten acres and will see it right for many years to come.
Even if you do the job yourself and the fence wanderers along it own higgldy pigglety line like mine its always going to be cheaper in the long run than trying to fence it on the cheap with 'temp' fencing.
You land must border onto someone elses - have you considered asking your neighbours for half the costs? (trouble with hedges is that they normally need two lots of fencing on either side!?)
As they say, 'Ask a silly question....' ::) Luv yer input bazzais, would love to but: Time. Money.
Ask neighbours to pay half? Ho ho ho! :xmas:
-
I'm 5ft. tall and 61 but last year I divided a four acre field into three and didn't make a bad job....well it kept the sheep in anyway ::) I had to pay someone to put up gate posts and hang the gates It's hard work with just a sledge-hammer but do-able.
-
you need proper fencing after all if they wander its down to you for any damage.
-
you need proper fencing......
Yup, more stock fencing would be great, but unfortunately not poss right now. :-\
-
I agree that long term you are going to need to invest in proper sheep fencing, but I know how hard it can be to get around to sorting out fencing.
You could try using sheep flexinet on a temporary basis. Move the netting around the field to make temporary enclosures and move the sheep around the field bit by bit.
-
I agree that long term you are going to need to invest in proper sheep fencing, but I know how hard it can be to get around to sorting out fencing.
You could try using sheep flexinet on a temporary basis. Move the netting around the field to make temporary enclosures and move the sheep around the field bit by bit.
Keep your Flexinet well electrified, we turned ours off for a day and the rabbits chewed great gert holes in it! we also had a dead hedgehog, he got caught in the net and i presume had an electric shock. Our net was run off a mains fencer from a garden fence designed to keep out deer.
-
If you also make sure the bottom wire is properly earthed then they will get a serious zap when they connect the two. Respect for the wire is what keeps them in.
Reels of string tape or rope make the best temporary fences with a few intermediate posts at corners and a lot of poly posts to support the wire. You dont need a lot of tension for rope or tape, a lot less than wire, and reels make it easy.
Look at Rappa fencing stuff. Their steel posts go in and stay in but can easily be moved around.