Quality Farm and Ranch Fencing
(512) 729-7040
Serving Austin, TX and South Texas
How to Pick the Right Ranch Fences for Your Property
You've just found your Austin TX dream property. It's perfect, it has everything you need and maybe even more. But there is one small issue: the fence! You know that ranch fences are an iconic symbol of Texas, but how do you pick the right one for your fence project?
Many people will decide to buy commercial or residential land to engage in farming. Suppose you want to raise livestock and engage in other commercial activities. In that case, the farm fences must be suitable for the job.
Best practices to picking the right farm and ranch fencing
1. Decide what you want to do with the land
Eighty percent of people who purchase land will never actually use it. Suppose you think that you might like to build a farm eventually; in that case, the materials and cost of your fence should be taken into consideration if you are planning to raise animals.
Be aware that different types of fences protect other parts of the land while considering that each fence has its benefits and limitations. Fencing is a necessary part of owning farm animals. Still, it also has many other applications, such as protecting garden beds and creating safe play areas for children and pets. You will need custom fences if you intend to keep people out or if you intend to keep animals in.
2. Identify what you will be raising or keeping on the ranch
The type of animal being raised will significantly determine the ranch fence materials needed to keep them contained. For example, if cattle are being raised, they can jump higher than other animals, and thus, it is necessary to have a fence at least five feet tall. If sheep are being raised, they are less likely to jump. Still, it is essential to have the bottom of the fence buried about six inches underground for them not to burrow out.
Pigs do not climb nearly as well as other animals, and thus fencing that comes up around their necks will be sufficient to keep them in.
Similarly, if you're keeping horses, they need a fence at least seven feet tall and will also need a type of fencing that can stand up to their kicking and biting.
Knowing the ideal height and type of fencing for each animal is vital when it comes down to protecting your animals as well as protecting your property.
3. Consider the height of the ranch fence
As stated earlier, there are different types of animals; thus, they have different fencing materials and height needs. A fence that is five feet tall will be enough to keep cattle in but will not be nearly high enough to keep horses in.
The height of your fence should also take into account the type of land you are dealing with. If your land is high in elevation, it won't be easy to dig a posthole to support a five-foot fence without hitting rock. Similarly, if your property is low in height, water may seep into the postholes and shorten the life of your fence.
The best height to go with is between four and five feet, depending on your land, but always remember that it might be necessary to add more just in case.
4. Do the math
As you know, different animals will need different types of fencing. The same holds for the number of posts and gates. You may need more posts on one side of the gate than another, depending on what you're raising and if it's a double-gated fence.
For example:
If you have two horses and two cows, your fence will need four posts at the corners and two gates.
If you have four horses and one cow, then the corner posts would remain the same, while you would need one gate on each side of that particular animal.
Always double-check your math to make sure everything is still done correctly and accurately.
5. Decide how often you intend to access the land
Suppose you do not plan to visit your property regularly. In that case, it might be beneficial to install fences that are easier to maintain, such as ornamental mesh fencing structures.
Suppose you plan to visit your ranch regularly. It may be beneficial for you to install a fence that is easier to repair if needed, such as wooden fences. If you plan on using barbed wire or electric fencing, then tools will need to be used, and appropriate safety equipment should be worn at all times.
6. Determine how many gates you need
A gate will need to be placed every so often along your ranch fence line for people and pets to pass through easily. It is important not to overdo the number of gates as this can cause problems with installing and maintaining your fence correctly. If necessary, additional posts can always be added later on down the road.
Popular Austin TX farm fencing materials
Wood Fences
Wood fences are the most cost-effective to install; however, they can be the most expensive to maintain. Since wood is organic, it's prey for termites and rot when water gets in. Wood fences require regular maintenance to keep the fence sturdy. If repairing an existing wooden fence is not possible, or if you don't want to spend money on maintenance, consider something else.
Barbed Wire Fence
If you want to raise livestock, this is commonly done using barbed wire fences. Barbed wire offers the best value and is one form of fencing suitable for cattle, horses, pigs, and other such animals. They come in many different sizes and designs. It offers durability; they are relatively easy to install and maintain, the only downside being that they can be dangerous for unwary humans.
Electric fence
Electric fences provide an affordable solution. They allow for livestock areas not to access space, such as pastures, yet allow smaller areas within the field. It is also effective in keeping other wildlife out of the area.
Mesh fence
A mesh fence is popular among ranchers as it offers some protection against predators such as coyotes and bobcats. This type of fence also provides good security, keeps your livestock in, and helps to protect your investment.
Ornamental mesh fencing
Consider using a decorative mesh fencing structure if you are more interested in the fence's appearance than any other factor. This form of ornamental iron fencing is popular with people who live in rural communities near large cities. Ornamental ranch fencing can be made from steel or aluminum materials, depending on your preference.
Wire fill
Another option you can consider is a fence made from wire fill. Wire fill fences are suitable for those who want to keep livestock inside but do not have strong fencing materials. Wire fill is a good option for small farms, ranches, and other surrounding areas.
Chain link fences
Another option for your ranch fencing is chain links. Chain links are a good option for those in heavily populated areas as they provide a high degree of security and privacy. They are a strong choice for safeguarding your livestock from predators. However, they have the disadvantage of being very expensive.
Tips for choosing the best materials for fence installation
When you are looking for suitable materials for fence installation, there are many things to consider. First of all, you should measure the amount of space that you have available for fencing. It is also essential to consider just how rustic or old-fashioned a specific type of material might look. In addition, it may be more critical for you to have a durable fence that will last a long time rather than something that looks nice.
Here are more tips for choosing the best materials for your fence installation:
- If you want something that will last and give your farm a rustic look, you may be interested in wooden fences. However, one of the things that you will need to keep in mind is that wooden fences are vulnerable to rot because they are not treated with anything.
- Chain links have become very popular over the last few years because it is affordable and easy to install. A chain link can be used for many different purposes, including keeping livestock contained within an area and keeping out trespassers.
- When strength is your top priority, you will want to use iron mesh. This type of wire is built tough to handle the elements such as strong winds without even showing any signs of wear and tear. Over time, wooden fences will weather, and fence posts may even rot in place, whereas iron mesh fencing will remain just as strong as the day that it was installed.
- Some invisible fences can be used depending on the type of animals that you are trying to contain. Many people have had good luck using these types of fences to keep their pets in one area without having to worry about them running away and getting lost.
- If you are looking for something solid and sturdy, you may use steel panels with vinyl coating. This type of steel fence keeps large animals such as horses contained within a particular area. It is also very affordable and easy to install. You can even decide to use this fencing if the look you want to achieve is more modern.
When should you speak with a ranch fencing service?
It is also a good idea to speak with Austin services about the materials that they have available to get a better idea of all of your options. These ranch services can help you determine which type will work best for your land and give you information about installation, cost, and what you can expect from a particular kind of material.
Speak with a couple of different ranch fencing contractors to better understand what is available and how much it will cost. You may also want to inquire about what materials are best for your farm.
Another reason to speak with a fencing contractor is if you plan on changing the kind of fencing material that is currently installed or as part of an ongoing maintenance program. It is essential to consider all of your options to get the best product for your investment.
Conclusion
The type of fencing you choose for your ranch will depend upon several factors, including what you want to do with it and how much money you can spend. It is a good idea to consider all of the options before making a final decision because this may ultimately determine what kind of animals can be kept on your farm and what you can do there.
Keeping all of these tips in mind will allow you to make a more informed decision regarding purchasing the right ranch fence for your land. Before choosing the best new fence, consider everything listed above and how often you expect to use the only land you purchased.
The Farm & Ranch Fencing Co. team is always happy to provide free estimates on any fence you may need to keep livestock safe and secure while adding value and beauty to your property.
So what are you waiting for? Contact us today to help ensure that everyone in your family feels confident about their safety when they're outside working hard on the farm.