[MarvinH]

Hello
For sheep
Im investigating stock fencing - in particular the posts/stakes. There does seem to be many size variants available.
Is there a general rule of how much of the stake should be in the ground?
I take it full round posts are needed?
What is the acceptable post diameter required - without going overboard?

thanks
John

[pikilily]

no doubt I'll be corrected  but my understanding is that the posts should be 1/3 of their length into the ground.
my round posts are approx 4" diametre.
I think the consensus is that the square posts are stronger and more durable, but are more expensive.
HTH
Emma T

[digit]

I use 3"to 4" rounds and 5'6" long

[SallyintNorth]

Pretty much everyone around here uses round posts.  Much easier to get straight taut lines when stapling.

Half rounds are fine but won't last as long.  And not strong enough if there are cattle or equines either side.

18" min in the ground, 2" better.  We buy 5'6" and have one strand plain (barbed if pigs) below sheep netting, one or two strands, top being barbed, on top.  (We have cattle and ponies hence barbed wire.)

You'll need thicker posts (strainers) at each end and at all corners - and for very long stretches, a few along the way. 
6" or more for the ends, or railway sleepers; you could get away with 5" for interim strainers.

[waterhouse]

Concur with everything said. The straining posts are crucial to the whole job and should have a strut on the side where the strain comes.   Stock fence must be properly strained - the intermediate posts are really just taking the weight.

The bible I've used over some decades is the BTCV Fending Handbook http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fencing-Practical-Handbook-Elizabeth-Agate/dp/094675229X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1318149226&sr=8-2

[Plantoid]

Hello
For sheep
Im investigating stock fencing - in particular the posts/stakes. There does seem to be many size variants available.
Is there a general rule of how much of the stake should be in the ground?
I take it full round posts are needed?
What is the acceptable post diameter required - without going overboard?

thanks
John

 John ,
Are you digging post holes or using an auger or using a two person rammer to wellie them in ( if a rammer make a small pilot hole with a long heavy crow bar .
Use a string line along the run on the ground to get the the holes in line . don't do as i saw a Phd in computing guy do and try and get your run from a line four feet off the ground .

[robert waddell]

strainers = corner posts are usually 9 inches plus with stays in the direction of pull
turners = to go round small turns are 7 inches with no stays
as stated they can be dug augured or rammed into place
stobs can be what you want either round or square
lining up for the stobs going in a straight line can be done with either two wires top and bottom to get the stobs straight or one bottom wire or one top wire     either method the wires have to very tight   one wire is usually used with a post driver (mechanical)
but remember if using line wires the pinch holes if using 3 x3 stobs has to be one and a half inches from the wire
have fun and remember your handy work will be on view for 25 years