Sheep wire fence

garv123

Hi folks,
I think this forum would be best for this.
I've planted a hedge around the boundary of the garden and I'd like to put a sheep wire fence behind it to stop the cows eating it when they're in the field. ( there's already 2 strands of electric wire)
I've about 100m to cover.
Will 3 inch by 5 foot stakes be enough and what distance apart?
Also what's the best way of putting the stakes in. Will an auger make it easier, or will one of those hand held stake drivers on its own be enough?
Any help or tips appreciated.

Genghis Cant

A lot depends on your soil/ground type.
You're probably on the lighter side of things. But I've used 5'by 3" octoposts lately and they're a solid post. Good strainers each end mean a lot too. I've sheep wire here around the house . 4" Creosoted posts (6ft) @ 5m apart. The ground is good here and I drove them with a post driver on a tractor. I've them strained with sleepers at the corners.
Lighter posts could well be drove with a hand held post driver and a crow bar to make a pilot hole.

buffalobilly

If I was doing it I would put 6 foot x 4in posts in 3 meters apart and at least 7ft strainer posts at the ends well stayed for 100 meters you would need about 35 posts and 2 strainers at least if the boundary is not straight you would need more strainers 100 meter roll of sheep wire and a. 200 metre roll of barbed wire
For the value of it you would probably be better getting someone in to do the job it’s hard to beat a fence put up by someone who knows what they’re doing

Dinzee Conlee

Would it not be easier to push the existing 2 strands of electic fence further into the field, away from the hedge?

Sheep wire wont do much to protect a hedge if the cows can still reach it to get at it...

garv123

Thanks for the replies, the existing fence is not mine and has seen better days.
The sheep wire idea is just to keep them from getting at the hedge thats only a 1-1.5ft tall at the min.
It'll be about 2ft away from the existing fence.
They might not even reach the hedge but I just want to be sure.

jimini0

garv123 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, the existing fence is not mine and has seen better days.
The sheep wire idea is just to keep them from getting at the hedge thats only a 1-1.5ft tall at the min.
It'll be about 2ft away from the existing fence.
They might not even reach the hedge but I just want to be sure.

Be very careful where you put that fence. Check your official boundary before you touch another persons fence line.

garv123

jimini0 wrote: »

Be very careful where you put that fence. Check your official boundary before you touch another persons fence line.

Yeah not going near the other fence, mine will be going where my existing boundary fence was. Which was checked when I bought the property 3 years ago.

Good loser

Use concrete posts and wire. Get it done by someone experienced.
Ask them to show you examples of their work.
Or else find an erected fence you consider meets your needs and get that replicated.
Do not concrete in the inter posts. Cattle will push against and crack posts at base.

wrangler

Good loser wrote: »

Use concrete posts and wire. Get it done by someone experienced.
Ask them to show you examples of their work.
Or else find an erected fence you consider meets your needs and get that replicated.
Do not concrete in the inter posts. Cattle will push against and crack posts at base.

Agreed, for a site the concrete posts and chainlink is the only fence, do that and you're finished with it.

memorystick

I’m fencing a ditch with sheep wire and barbed. Is 5 foot ok or should I go for 6foot stakes? I’m getting the octagonal ones. All 4 inch. Will be driving stakes on top of banks. Using a handheld pounder. Thanks