Why Fence When Ypu Could Just Have Hedgerows?

mikefoxo

I've been reading about the cost of fencing and fellas giving out that the fancy stakes they bought only lasted for 3 years instead of the 20 they were promised:rolleyes:
If you're going to have to replace them every so often why wouldn't people just plant a good hedgerow? Okay it would have to be cut back every 2-3 years but I don't think that would work out more expensive in the long run would it?

yadayadaya

Stone walls jim

Username John

mikefoxo wrote: »

I've been reading about the cost of fencing and fellas giving out that the fancy stakes they bought only lasted for 3 years instead of the 20 they were promised:rolleyes:
If you're going to have to replace them every so often why wouldn't people just plant a good hedgerow? Okay it would have to be cut back every 2-3 years but I don't think that would work out more expensive in the long run would it?

Hi Mike,

I guess time to establish a hedge vs put up a fence is one issue.
You'd still have to fence the bounds ditch.
Putting in hedges is good, but if they are put in, I would think you might have issues in the future removing them if you wanted to. Now, I'm in favour of good hedges, but I don't like idea of not being able to do what I want without permission...
Lastly, some people don't like hedges, cutting, maintenance, earthing wire, etc...

Manoffeeling

I want to erect sheep wire. How good a job is it to breast a ditch and put the sheep wire in the middle of the ditch. I know it's slow but to nail to ash and white thorn is a way better job than stakes. I have time!! Thanks for advice

JohnBoy

Pity the fool who has to cut that ditch in the future.

candor

Because ditches on their own don't keep in cattle 100%.

tabby aspreme

Manoffeeling wrote: »

I want to erect sheep wire. How good a job is it to breast a ditch and put the sheep wire in the middle of the ditch. I know it's slow but to nail to ash and white thorn is a way better job than stakes. I have time!! Thanks for advice

Fenceing on top of a ditch is ok, probably the most secure fence I have is on top of a ditch but there are downsides too , the ditch needs to be level otherwise sheep will make holes under the wire between the trees, they also get caught on there sides/backs in the hollows , its also harder to herd if the fence is in the middle as anything sick or maggoty will have somewhere to hide and any ewe not able to keep up if your driving with a dog will head straight in to hide and lie down, if sheep lie in around a ditch and the grass disappears nettles wil grow,

Username John

Manoffeeling wrote: »

I want to erect sheep wire. How good a job is it to breast a ditch and put the sheep wire in the middle of the ditch. I know it's slow but to nail to ash and white thorn is a way better job than stakes. I have time!! Thanks for advice

ha ha - are you going getting some sheep Mr Feeling?

I think its a good job, but like JohnBoy said, you'd want to be careful when cutting em later

But, it can be a bit of a h'oore of a job, trying to clear the ditch back, and put up the wire, tighten it... its just awkward...
I think its good in that the wire on top of the ditch means one fence will 'protect' both fields so to speak. If you put the wire on one side of the ditch, if the sheep go onto the ditch on the other side, they can jump over the wire... in my (bitter) experience...

JohnBoy

candor wrote: »

Because ditches on their own don't keep in cattle 100%.

they can, but only if they're done right and maintained right.

The problem is who has the time to walk their ditches every year with a bylhook in hand.

I remember doing a bit of it with my auld lad as a kid in his homeplace, but as a part timer you could only get one field done in a year, he was handy enough with the bylhook, but nowadays prefers to use his phone and call in a tractor mounted saw.

I've learned that skill from him much better than the slasher

djmc

IMO cattle will go under a hedge in bad weather rain etc. if electric fence is not working they will start pucking the ditch play acting and make there own holes in it and its only a matter of time before they get through.
once they realize there is fresh grass at the other side there will be no stoping them without a good electric fence.

JohnBoy

If cattle can get under it then it's too high, if you want a ditch to be stockproof then imho should be around 6-8 feet tall in the summer, with lots of whitethorn growing right down to ground level.

candor

JohnBoy wrote: »

they can, but only if they're done right and maintained right.

The problem is who has the time to walk their ditches every year with a bylhook in hand.

I remember doing a bit of it with my auld lad as a kid in his homeplace, but as a part timer you could only get one field done in a year, he was handy enough with the bylhook, but nowadays prefers to use his phone and call in a tractor mounted saw.

I've learned that skill from him much better than the slasher

This is it, I don't really have the time to be at that sorta thing.

I find the best compromise is wire and hedge with barbed in it. Get the hedgecutter to keep it right. Peace of mind is worth a lot.

JohnBoy

I reckon the best compromise is a good shock in front of a hedge maintained by flail.

assuming cattle at least

Manoffeeling

Username John wrote: »

ha ha - are you going getting some sheep Mr Feeling?

I think its a good job, but like JohnBoy said, you'd want to be careful when cutting em later

But, it can be a bit of a h'oore of a job, trying to clear the ditch back, and put up the wire, tighten it... its just awkward...
I think its good in that the wire on top of the ditch means one fence will 'protect' both fields so to speak. If you put the wire on one side of the ditch, if the sheep go onto the ditch on the other side, they can jump over the wire... in my (bitter) experience...

If I am, it'll be stores. The road ditch is fenced for cattle but I wouldn't trust it for sheep. The ideal job is the Farm Relief, but I have other priorities. I was thinking of flailing it back real tight and using the low sheep wire. I have plenty of white thorn to sow also.