Electric fence wire

Super Steve · Mar 22, 2013

Im going to be cutting a pasture in half this year, haying one half and grazing steers on the other have. The perimeter of the field is pagewire and barbed wire.

I dont want a perminant fence but i want to keept these steers where the belong so im thinking of going with probably 4 or 5 wire electric.

My question is, should i use 16gauge or 12.5 gauge wire?

the 12.5 gauge works out to be about .036 cents per foot and the 16 is .026.

Im hoping i can catch a sale before i need this wire and get it a bit cheaper but what can i get away with?

sd pete · Mar 22, 2013

paul · Mar 22, 2013

I've had good luck with 2 hot wires of barbed electric wire, regular - 12 I think - gauge.

If the power goes off a bit the 2 will hold them in some. A single hot wire can work, but is too high for young, and too low for older critters. I tried in a different area, and it didnt last.

My temp fence dividing pasturs has been up jeez, 30 years now?

As just a dividing fence, I don't think you would need so many wires?

Paul

M Nut · Mar 22, 2013

I'd do just as Paul mentioned. I have a two strand electric that it also hot that I put up "temporarily" about 10 years ago. Still works fine.

Wheat Farmer · Mar 22, 2013

Depends on the cattle. Mine would respect a hot wire. My Neighbor has some that won't respect a field fence wire. I have never seen cattle so pushy and jumpers.

PJH · Mar 22, 2013

I use 12.5 gauge. If you're actually gonna roll it back up, it's nice and easy to deal with, providing you use a spinner. Don't try to fool with it without a spinner. Your cost per foot goes up quick because you'll have to scrap the whole roll. I can send you a picture for proof.

Skinflint Paul

DoubleR · Mar 22, 2013

I would go with the 12.5. I have held my steers in for years on there small pasture with two strands of it. Although I have a steer stuffer that I keep full of grain, a round bale feeder with hay, mineral blocks, plenty of water, shade and dry shelter. No reason for them to want to go anywhere else.

TomA in CA · Mar 22, 2013

I use 14 ga aluminum wire from TSC. One wire holds cattle if they are all the same size. The aluminum is light and does not take much bracing to stay tight. Easy to roll up if necessary.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 22, 2013

16 gauge is a joke; any critter can accidently knock it down. Use 12 or 12.5 in the big rolls which require a spinner to unwind or re-wind. I use 3 wires for all same size cattle, 4 wires for baby calves to cows/bulls. Tom

randallinMo · Mar 22, 2013

If your cattle are already used to an electric fence, one strand is plenty. 4-5 strands sounds like overkill to me. If your determined to use wire, use the 12 guage. I personally use electrified poly wire on reels and use one strand. Sometimes the baby calves will go under it, but they never go any where too far away from momma. When they come back in it usually teaches them a good lesson. The poly wire has lasted me 3 years now with constant removal and replacement every couple days. The absolute key to any electric fence is the fencer. You want it HOT.

Kelly MT · Mar 22, 2013

I've been using electric fence for 30 years and made many mistakes. The first one is going cheep on the charger, go top notch. Good grounds are essential. I use 12 1/2 gauge on the perimeter and polly wire on my internal subdivision fence. The polly is light and rolls and unrolls easily and without kinks. I also use re-bar posts. Cheep and tough, you can drive them into most any kind of ground. And as important as anything, train your cows to the fence before you turn them out.

Super Steve · Mar 22, 2013

the fence charger and ground system isnt a problem, we already have all that set up for a couple horses but they will be gone for the summer so i dont need it for that fence.

I tried the poly crap for the horses and we r guessing it was deer tried to jump it or go through it and destroyed it.

These steers have never been around electric before, they were at another farm with pagewire/barbwire fences until now.

Im still tossing around the idea of making it a (perminant) temporary fence just because it could turn out that way anyway

Kelly MT · Mar 22, 2013

I know what you mean about wild life. The deer aren't much of a problem but the elk and moose are hell on all the fence of any kind.

Bobl1958 · Mar 22, 2013

I've never used over one 12.5 wire and unless the charger dies, have not had any troubles. One big help is to tie some ribbons or smash some pop cans and hang on the fence. Helps them locate the fence, and may also help for people or deer to see it as well. To be safe, you could use two wires, but if the charger is hot, you sure don't need 4, I wouldn't think. This is in KS, and it could vary I suppose if you were in the mountains or something, but a good hot fence the cattle will respect. Good luck, Bob

Oliver 550Dave · Mar 23, 2013

Through 30+ years, I have usually use 2 strands with the top one barbed and bottom smooth wire and had okay results. Bottom one is really for small calves, when I have them. Once in a while, one jumps over, but thankfully also jumped back.
Best thing, to me, is teach them to like a feel bucket! You don't have to do it often, but the cows love for a feed bucket has saved my hide several times!
I also agree about marking the fence. I use styrofoam eggs cartons snap closed over the wire. Seems like I saw that idea in Progressive Farmer sometime. Added bonus, if you need to cross the wire, and you hold the carton just right, you have an insullated assistant in crossing the fence. You can also see from a distance where the wire might be down!

Electric fence wire

Super Steve

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sd pete

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paul

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M Nut

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Wheat Farmer

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PJH

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DoubleR

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TomA in CA

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Anonymous-0

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randallinMo

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Kelly MT

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Super Steve

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Kelly MT

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Bobl1958

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Oliver 550Dave

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