FENCES AND GATES
The various types of fencing and gates utilized by SOA members which work well for containing Soay sheep. Place your mouse over the photos for captions and descriptions. Click on the thumbnails for larger photos with more detail.
Photos copyright by the owners and used with permission. Copyright 2001 - 2009 by Soays of America, Inc.
Styles of fencing and panels used, along with the benefits and disadvantages of each:
Field fencing, 4' high
- Pros: Fairly inexpensive, is a heavy gauge, and is wire wrapped rather than welded for better strength. Cons: the graduated holes allow horned lambs to get their heads stuck in the fencing, and as they mature, the less intelligent among them continue to do so. Field fencing is about 1/3 the cost of the same gauge of 2" x 4" wrapped fencing.
Barbed wire placed on top of field fencing
- Pros: Is inexpensive, keeps larger livestock from leaning over the fence and bending it down. Cons: Can injure livestock and people who come into contact with it.
2" x 4" Fencing, which comes in wrapped or welded, and 4' or 5' high
- Cons: The welded is cheaper, but doesn't last as long. The wire wrapped is a heavier gauge and has the same life span as the field fencing, but is about 3 times the cost of field fencing. Pros: Both gauges of 2" x 4" fencing have the advantage of preventing horned lambs from getting their heads stuck.
Cattle panels
- Pros: These are a very heavy gauge, and are moveable by one person. The height is adequate. Keeping at least a few panels of one style or another on hand provides a variety of uses throughout the year. Cons: The holes can allow a lamb to get through at a young age, or get stuck as they grow.
Hog panels
- Pros: These are also a very heavy gauge, and are moveable by one person. Cons: The height is 3 feet, which is easy to clear by the average adult, as well as by sheep who are determined to get over it.
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