Steel wire vs poly wire vs. Barbed wire

[coyotefur]

I am going to need to fence in 12+/- acres. What are some pros and cons of each?

Thank

Dustin

 

[M.Magis]

I don’t think I’d consider polywire permanent. I guess it could be, but most would use HT smooth for permanent electric fence. I like 6 strands of HT barbed wire personally. It’s the most economical other than HT smooth, but I can’t run electric everywhere so smooth isn’t an option for me. Smooth would be fine as long as you can keep it hot. Cows will go through it if it’s not.

 

[callmefence]

If it's permanent barbwire is the only way to go.

 

[coyotefur]

Its going to be permanent. Is HS wire not good enough? Can i do a perm barbed/HS wire combo? I really want a hot wire if possible.

 

[callmefence]

Sure you you can do a combo.
If you look at alot of the fence in pics of my place there's a hot wire. No cattleman should be without a couple good chargers. Electric is ok alone for a interior fence. But as a permanent perimeter fence use something that's not dependant on electric and plastic.

 

[Bigfoot]

Barbed wire is your friend. Stretch it tight, and it'll be around for years.

 

[dun]

Barbed for perimeter, single smooth 12.5 gauge hot for permanent internal fencing, polywire for temp fencing.

 

[coyotefur]

When you say single smooth for the interior, is this another fence line or just a few inches "in" on the same post?

 

[dun]

When you say single smooth for the interior, is this another fence line or just a few inches "in" on the same post?

Another fence. We have a lot of our fields separated into larger areas then rotate through them using polywire for the temporary divisions

 

[coyotefur]

I don't think i have the energy or $$$ for 2 fences around 12 acres. Could i do 4 strands barbed and the top or second from the top hot (smooth wire)??

 

[Ol' 243]

I don't think i have the energy or $$$ for 2 fences around 12 acres. Could i do 4 strands barbed and the top or second from the top hot (smooth wire)??

Do a 5 or 6 strand barb wire and then put the stand off insulators on the same post for a single strand of hot wire.

 

[coyotefur]

I don't think i have the energy or $$$ for 2 fences around 12 acres. Could i do 4 strands barbed and the top or second from the top hot (smooth wire)??

Do a 5 or 6 strand barb wire and then put the stand off insulators on the same post for a single strand of hot wire.

Thats kind of what i was thinking. thanks

 

[JSCATTLE]

You shouldn't need 6 strand barb wire and eletric fence on the same fence line .. want dun is saying is use the single strand hot for your cross fencing or other interior fencing.. i have barb wire exterior fence and a single stand ht hot wire down the driveway .. I can use poly wire off of that to temporarily cross fence my pasture.

 

[callmefence]

I don't think i have the energy or $$$ for 2 fences around 12 acres. Could i do 4 strands barbed and the top or second from the top hot (smooth wire)??

Do a 5 or 6 strand barb wire and then put the stand off insulators on the same post for a single strand of hot wire.

:clap: :clap: :clap: ...I bet your shyt stays in your pasture 243

 

[Ol' 243]

I don't think i have the energy or $$$ for 2 fences around 12 acres. Could i do 4 strands barbed and the top or second from the top hot (smooth wire)??

Do a 5 or 6 strand barb wire and then put the stand off insulators on the same post for a single strand of hot wire.

:clap: :clap: :clap: ...I bet your shyt stays in your pasture 243

They do . . . . . . .knock on wood, I ain't had one out yet. :lol:

 

[JW IN VA]

Have used an eight wire smooth hi tensile wire along our road for over ten years without any problems.You just have to double brace and get it tight.Neigbor has a six strand with the top four that can be hot.Works there,too.I also use one interior fence with two hot wires.
I know some guys who operate a big,big place and they use 7 wire along the road with their yearling cattle
:2cents:

 

[Ebenezer]

5 strand HT is good for sheep and cows except for romantic rams. Don't mix barbed wire and HT smooth. You might learn bad words if deer help you adjust wires on frequent basis.

 

[dun]

5 strand HT is good for sheep and cows except for romantic rams. Don't mix barbed wire and HT smooth. You might learn bad words if deer help you adjust wires on frequent basis.

Or if you accidentally get hooked by a barb

 

[callmefence]

5 strand HT is good for sheep and cows except for romantic rams. Don't mix barbed wire and HT smooth. You might learn bad words if deer help you adjust wires on frequent basis.

Bad advice..a good barbwire fence with a hot strand about brisket high on standout insulators is as good a fence for containing cattle as you you can get. If the hot strand gets shorted there's still a fence. When working it teaches respect for the fence.
Best of both worlds.

 

[callmefence]

Have used an eight wire smooth hi tensile wire along our road for over ten years without any problems.You just have to double brace and get it tight.Neigbor has a six strand with the top four that can be hot.Works there,too.I also use one interior fence with two hot wires.
I know some guys who operate a big,big place and they use 7 wire along the road with their yearling cattle
:2cents:

My entire perimeter and several cross fences are ten strand barbwire.