Seriously its not as hard as everyone makes out. A good fence is but a secure fence is just a case of doing it and then finding the bits they get through. Dont be threatened by it - its and easy job and it wont work everytime unless you are a fencer.
Dont really matter a jit if its a bit loose here and there - as long as the sheep cant get through- its a winner.
If its a permanent fence then - really disagree - they say good fences make good neighbours!
Even if its a fence in the middle of your field then you obviously want to keep them one side or the other or you would just open the gate
and how do you find the bit they get through - well obviously you can see the wool but if its an external fence then asking the boy who's car your sheep has just been in a collision with is perhaps not your best move.
A good fence isn't actually difficult to do
Best thing is to do it properly in the first place and it isn't hard
First dig in (and fix with stone) 2 strainers with stays
then attach a bottom wire and tension with radishers - this gives you the straight line
there after insert posts every six feet or so by pinching a hole in and driving a 5ft6 post in to 4 ft or so above the ground
there after put a wire at the distance above the bottom line your netting reaches - usuall 80 cm
then put a further line 4 to 6 inches above again tension both with a radisher then nail the netting on to one end then role along keeping tension best if you can use a clamp or bar to tension the netting prior to nailing up
finally once nailed up then you can clip the netting on to the top and bottom line
yes it does take time and tools and a bit of physical effort
but also yes it should hopefully last 10 - 15 -20 years depending on whats in the field, materials, conditions etc
far better than twiddling about every week
and certainly far better than having stock where they should not be
BL