| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Jane Ferris |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 11:09:44 AM
Hello Alpaca Community
We are just about to take the plunge, and "buy the farm!" 
Please: What is the best pasture fencing to use and why do you recommend it?
Jane Ferris |
| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Jane Ferris |
Posted - 05/24/2012 : 10:24:55 AM
Decisions... Decisions...  Thank all of you for your suggestions your trial and errors, also your very CONCRET answers! It is so
comforting,, knowing the Alpaca Family is close knit, and we are willing to help each-other!
By the way - We are putting in an offer/bid on a place this week-end! Hey...can I borrow your truck!!! LOL
With Thanks,
Jane
The Angel and The Albatross Alpaca Farm
Jane Ferris |
| josebeth1 |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 2:06:34 PM
Too much experience with one male in particular leads me to say, NO, 4" openings isn't safe!! We've got a lot of this fencing, and while I hate it and want to change it out, our finances just won't let us. The male in question is obviously not one of our brighter animals although he's one of my favorite guys for fleece and conformation. Last summer I found him stuck in this fencing multiple times--gets his head out for the "grass is greener" then can't get it back in! Thankfully, it was always at a time when I caught it soon enough for no lasting damage. It scared me like crazy to think "but for the grace of God"--had it happened on one of those 90 degree blazing sun days when I wasn't around to pull him out before hours had passed I'm sure we would have had a major (and probably expensive) problem on our hands.
Also, the TSC field fence that separated our two breeding studs who are absolutely arch enemies: from them trying to get at each other, it eventually stretched out into very very large openings where head and chest were trying to get through. Therefore, not nearly as secure as no-climb fencing with 1x2's along the top line.
Beth Dominguez
Crias del Cielo Alpaca Farm
Hudson, OH |
| Judith |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 1:36:17 PM
My experience is that they can get their head and neck caught in anything if they try hard enough. I've even seen an alpaca get stuck in a regular alpaca panel because she put her head out between two bars and then tried to escape a spitter on the other side by sticking it back in two different bars. They'll put their heads out of anything they can get through, even as narrow as 3 inches wide. In a "hard" fencing like woven or welded wire, I'd opt for the larger holes because they can at least get them back in easier, so a 4" x 4" hole is fine. But that doesn't mean that they CAN'T get stuck, just that they're less likely to do so.
The biggest problem with the fence you describe is that you definitely need more than one or two people to install it. 330' is VERY long, and VERY heavy. Since I work alone, I have to buy 50' sections because that's the longest that I can manage to unroll, prop up, "stretch" and hold onto to wire into place. So I switched to cattle panels, which even at 16' lengths I can drag, prop and lash into place. If you have helpers, go for it. The goat fencing is a bit heavier in the top strand so nice if you have "fence standers" as I do.
Judith Korff
AlpacaNation Forum Co-Moderator
LadySong Farm Bolivian Suri Alpacas
Randolph, NY 14772
Cell: (716) 499-0383
www.alpacanation.com/ladysong.asp |
| Mara DeBoe |
Posted - 05/23/2012 : 1:14:41 PM
I saw that TSC has "goat & sheep fence" - it is woven with 4x4 squares. Cheaper than the 2x4 square fence, comes in 330 ft rolls, and is on sale this weekend! What do people think about using this 4x4 fencing for pastures? Could a 'paca get it's head/neck caught?
Mark & Mara DeBoe
Wibotawot Farm
River Falls, WI |
| bturner |
Posted - 05/09/2012 : 10:38:22 AM
quote:
Originally posted by pdhmaine
Jill, can you explain about not using augered posts in an area with real winters? Our posts are augered in 3+ feet, and after 8 years remain solid and upright. We do have real winters here, except this past one -- we got off lightly!
Pam
Pamela Harwood
Longwoods Alpaca Farm, LLC
135 Longwoods Road
Cumberland, ME 04021
pdh@longwoodsalpacas.com
www.longwoodsalpacas.com
Augered and cemented posts could actually have tax implications. If the post is pounded, it can be removed and may not be considered a permanent part of your operation. I don't fully understand all the tax laws, but I think you can treat them different on your taxes depending if they are pounded and removable or cemented and basically permanent. Otherwise, I think its just a preference.
Brian.....
Brian and Joy Turner
Our Little World Alpacas LLC
Grafton, OH
http://www.alpacanation.com/ourlittleworld.asp
www.ourlittleworldalpacas.com
(440) 477-4300
(440) 724-7070
|
| wirefence |
Posted - 05/08/2012 : 9:29:14 PM
quote:
Originally posted by KBAR
We put in 6 foot no climb fence around the perimeter of the pastures and used 6 foot high dog kennel panels for the gates. The kennel panels work great, one kennel gives you 4 gates, and you always need more gates. Inside to divide pastures we now use 5 foot fencing, one of our herdsires has no problem jumping the 4 foot fencing.
I totally agree with this kind of fence,dog kennel panel is strong and could be used for gate,the more important is this gate with lower cost.
Dog Kennel/Horse Fence/Wire Fence
Http://www.skynetting.com
Http://www.apnetting.com
E-mail:luzara2000@gmail.com |
| pdhmaine |
Posted - 05/08/2012 : 07:44:15 AM
Jill, can you explain about not using augered posts in an area with real winters? Our posts are augered in 3+ feet, and after 8 years remain solid and upright. We do have real winters here, except this past one -- we got off lightly!
Pam
Pamela Harwood
Longwoods Alpaca Farm, LLC
135 Longwoods Road
Cumberland, ME 04021
pdh@longwoodsalpacas.com
www.longwoodsalpacas.com
|
| Heidi Christensen |
Posted - 05/07/2012 : 10:33:42 PM
Never been a fan of chain link, but am leasing pasture space that is part 2X4 nonclimb horse fencing and mostly chain link. I like  . I had always heard to stay away from chain link because it is a good idea to think with re-sale of the farm in mind, and you are likely going to sell to horse folks, and horse folks aren't fond of chain link. I do know I won't be putting my horse in the chain link part of the farm when the time comes to move in, but it works well for the alpacas. Falling trees and a possible deer getting caught in it and taking down some of the poles has been a problem with the chain link, but at least its easy to repair.
Heidi Christensen
WingNut Farm
Graham, Wa
(253) 846-2168
http://alpacanation.com/wingnutfarm.asp
http://wingnut-alpacas.com |
| bobvicki |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 09:42:32 AM
Dog kennel door panels can also be used as dividers in your trailer depending on the width & height of the panels and your trailer. I have also used them to make temporary stalls in the barn and barn area.
Bob
Bob & Vicki Blodgett
Suri Land Alpaca Ranch
10371 N 2210 Road
Clinton, Oklahoma 73601
641-831-3576
alpaca@htswireless.com
www.alpacanation.com/suriland.asp |
| Mara DeBoe |
Posted - 05/04/2012 : 10:33:30 AM
Dog kennel panels as gates or fencing. What a great idea. You can always find that stuff on Craigslist.
Mark & Mara DeBoe
Wibotawot Farm
River Falls, WI |
| Christiane |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 11:47:07 PM
Since my property butts against ten acres of woods where the deer and the coyotes roam, I used the six foot high dog kennel panels that an alpaca farm gave me when they no longer needed them for dogs. I put the metal posts that support them in concrete, and it has worked out great for me. Most of my other fencing is four feet high.
Christiane Rudolf
Tanglewood Farm
19741 Victory Lane
Fayetteville, Ohio 45118
(513) 875-2533 |
| KBAR |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 10:48:52 PM
We put in 6 foot no climb fence around the perimeter of the pastures and used 6 foot high dog kennel panels for the gates. The kennel panels work great, one kennel gives you 4 gates, and you always need more gates. Inside to divide pastures we now use 5 foot fencing, one of our herdsires has no problem jumping the 4 foot fencing.
Doug & Carolyn Lilleyman
Kickin' Back Alpaca Ranch
Markdale Ontario
info@kickinbackalpacaranch.com
www.kickinbackalpacaranch.com |
| Christiane |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 12:40:02 PM
OOPs, I did mean three feet in the ground for the wooden posts. Heat is getting to my brain. Just put in another one for a gate to a small pasture that I plan to use for weanlings.
Christiane Rudolf
Tanglewood Farm
19741 Victory Lane
Fayetteville, Ohio 45118
(513) 875-2533 |
| bturner |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 10:36:55 AM
quote:
Originally posted by elden harms
"...there are companies that are less expensive if you get all the fencing at once."
Pls list names of these companies. I'll be buying quite a bit of 5' woven 2x4 fencing and would like a good price on it. Is it less than $1.65/foot?
I got a quote from here that was reasonably less than TSC but I could not take delivery of it. If you can have a semi pull in and roll everything off the side, it is worth it. If you have your own trailer that will haul that kind of weight you could pick them up yourselves. They are in Norwalk, OH. Here is a link:
http://www.americantimberandsteel.com/round-fence-posts.html
Also, Kencove is another good source.
I also found a farm on Craigslist that was having the fence pulled up and was selling it. (another reason to have the posts pounded). Again, I had no means to get it so I bought from TSC.
Brian.....
Brian and Joy Turner
Our Little World Alpacas LLC
Grafton, OH
http://www.alpacanation.com/ourlittleworld.asp
www.ourlittleworldalpacas.com
(440) 477-4300
(440) 724-7070
|
| bobvicki |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 08:52:48 AM
The best fence I ever saw was in Grand Island Nebraska. The entire perimeter fence on this former Llama place was a six foot chainlink fence. Steel pipes were the posts and the fence had 3 cables running through it, top, middle, and bottom. I am not sure if or how far the fence went into the ground. It is the type of fence I would put up "If I were a rich man" !
Instead, where ever I can I use 4 or 5 foot chain link, with lots of parts being found on "Craigslist" and in the classified section of the local newspaper.
Gates, gates and more gates. Wide enough for a truck. One set I had was only used for walk through for most of the eight years we lived there in Iowa except one time when having it wide enough for a truck was needed, saved lots of hassle.
Bob
Bob & Vicki Blodgett
Suri Land Alpaca Ranch
10371 N 2210 Road
Clinton, Oklahoma 73601
641-831-3576
alpaca@htswireless.com
www.alpacanation.com/suriland.asp |
| davemartin88 |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 08:35:02 AM
We used Stay Tuff 1348-6 fencing. It's woven, verticals every 6" and has variable spacing on the bottom for better predator control. A couple of other farms locally use it as well that have been at this much longer than we have. If you can find it locally without shipping, it's considerably less than $1.65 per foot but some think the 6" is too wide? Best of luck with getting set up!
Dave M.
Hidden Bend Retreat
Romney, WV |
| jillmcm |
Posted - 05/03/2012 : 07:42:08 AM
Have you looked at Kencove, Elden? Don't know if they're cheaper, but they have a lot more options than TSC.
Jill McElderry-Maxwell
Bag End Suri Alpacas of Maine - ¡BESAME!
Benton, ME
(207) 453-0109
bagendsuris@roadrunner.com
http://www.bagendsuris.com
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| elden harms |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 11:17:45 PM
"...there are companies that are less expensive if you get all the fencing at once."
Pls list names of these companies. I'll be buying quite a bit of 5' woven 2x4 fencing and would like a good price on it. Is it less than $1.65/foot?
Elden Harms
Token Creek Alpacas LLC
Sun Prairie WI |
| Jane Ferris |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 9:43:33 PM
Thank you to each and everyone.
Your suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Jane Ferris
The Angel and The Albatross Alpaca Farm
Visit us on Open Herd
Jane Ferris |
| bturner |
Posted - 05/02/2012 : 8:57:59 PM
Pounded 8' posts 3' into the ground. 5' galvanized woven wire fencing. All available at TSC or if you can accept large truckloads, there are companies that are less expensive if you get all the fencing at once. Once you get the posts pounded, stretching the fence is pretty easy.
Not sure about strands of wire. It seems like crias and the guard dog would just walk right through. Remember, the alpacas love to rub up against the fence. You always hear that alpacas never challenge a fence. But they push on the fence so hard it will pop the staples out. Make sure it is strong.
Brian.....
Brian and Joy Turner
Our Little World Alpacas LLC
Grafton, OH
http://www.alpacanation.com/ourlittleworld.asp
www.ourlittleworldalpacas.com
(440) 477-4300
(440) 724-7070
|
