[gr8tfulmom]

We are working on a fence for our goats right now, just a plain metal grid 6' high. They are pygmies so I think it'll work just fine. We will be getting some cattle maybe as early as this fall. They are my brother's, he keeps them at our younger brother's farm and is going to keep them here and transition us into the 'cow people' in the family as he doesn't have room for them by his own house.

Does anyone have any good cattle fence suggestions? I've researched a bit and bro1 says high tensile is the way to go, but I would love to hear what others have done and had sucess with. His cows are now in HT and escape an average of 3x per year and while exciting, it is also exhausting to herd cattle out of oncoming traffic

: not to mention dangerous for the littler kids to loose my attention while we're handling the cows. TIA

 

[2busy2clean]

Being a horsey lover, I can't recommend the high tensile. Is that what the cattle are escaping now?

I would think that your goat fence would work with the cattle, depending on how sturdy your posts are. But the metal grid is more expensive than running wire, and you may want to consider adding a strand of hot wire so the critters don't rub against the fence too much. How large of an area are you planning to 'rope' off?

This maybe more of my thinking outloud than anything helpful for you...

 

[gr8tfulmom]

Yes, they are escaping high tensile now, it does have a hot wire about half way up. We are going to fence off an old orchard that is approx 3-5 acres, so I think the grid stuff would be pretty $.

What's the deal w/ tensile? Barbed wire is kind of barbaric but I guess it would be an option?? maybe w/ a hot wire before the barbs to keep em from getting scratched/gouged? Please keep thinking out loud, the biggest animals I've kept are rabbits and chickens. The cows a freaking me out a bit.

 

[2busy2clean]

The problem with tensile and horses are horses panic and run through fences, and when they run through tensile it is rather like cheese and a grater. Sorry for the ugly thoughts that brings.

But what is the point if they are escaping that now?
Barbed wire is undesirable for horses, and I've heard that cattle can go through that too. The 'cows' just put their heads down and drive through not worring about the small pricks of pain. I'd assume that the grass had to be greener on the other side though. Don't feel sorry for the cows, they have extremely thick skin. Think leather jacket!

But here, barbed wire is the fence of choice by ranchers. Most likely cuz it is cheap.
Dairies use the pipe fencing, which would make your metal grid seem affordable.
I'm not sure how well a hot wire/tape would work with cattle. I think, if I were in your shoes, that would be where I put some time into researching. Sounds like you would need 3 strands, since they are running through one now.
To save money you could use the trees in the orchard for posts.

 

[oneotamama]

subbing to the thread

 

[gr8tfulmom]

Thanks 2busy

You are right, I really need to figure this one out. The orchard to be fenced is swampy and has been overgrowing itself for at least 15 years, so I don't think I could even get to a straight tree, let alone try and use it for a post

We'll more than likely fence far enough out so there is a perimeter for the critters to skirt around. With what ??? who knows, I need to do some digging and find something that will work, cause I sure don't like working w/ barbed wire, I'm a bit too klutzy for that

 

[2busy2clean]

Glad my little bit of thinking outloud is helpful

.
Now to continue my thinking... hope you don't mind...

: I'm a tad concerned about the swampy thing. In general swamps can allow parasites to gain the upperhand on livestock and can cause feet problems, and we won't even mention the odor you'll be catching on the evening breeze.

You may want to consider fencing off the swamp when it is *****, but allowing the cattle to roam there once it is dry.

 

[gr8tfulmom]

The orchard borders on a swampy area on one side. That is also our property line, being on really clay soil we knew we would have to dig extensive ditches, but haven't made it around the farm to that line yet. Most of the orchard is a bit uphill from the swampy area, so the cows won't be mucking around unless they are desperate for a mud bath

I hope.

 

[2busy2clean]

Sounds good!!
I'm sure they will love playing in their bath.