Fencing

[HannahB]

How far apart would you reccomend placing the poles for electric fencing? I need 330 feet of tape (for 2 layers to stop the sheep), so the length is around 165 feet. There is already hedgerow on all 4 sides but only 2 have fences to stop my shetland or sheep getting out. Also one side is going up a slope. Thanks

 

[PurBee]

I do about 5 long leg paces for the plastic electric fence poles for my horses, as i try to pull the line very tight and have an expert escape artist.
If the line is pulled tight its more a deterrent for them to push it up. The tape does seem to stretch after a few days and need tightening repeatedly. I use rope mainly.

Although sheep with thick wool wont feel the zap, except on their faces, so its more a visual barrier?

 

[Carrottom]

If there is no boundary fence I would not put the posts further than 3 yards apart.

 

[ycbm]

If there is no boundary fence I would not put the posts further than 3 yards apart.

I'd also use 3 strands for sheep.
.

 

[HannahB]

Although sheep with thick wool wont feel the zap, except on their faces, so its more a visual barrier?

For the sheep, I think the visual barrier is the trees behind, but my goat is the one who'll need stopping

 

[PurBee]

For the sheep, I think the visual barrier is the trees behind, but my goat is the one who'll need stopping

oh goats are quite different! Theyre very daring…and can jump well too. Id ideally use 6 foot deer fencing for a goat!
Youll have to trial and see what works, adding more lines/reinforcement posts as you go if necessary. Initially i would use 3 lines and a strong zapping fencer.

 

[PurBee]

If there is no boundary fence I would not put the posts further than 3 yards apart.

theres hedgerow all 4 sides, but sheep are known to try to escape through gaps in hedges arent they? (Ive never fenced sheep but hear they are excellent at escaping through tiny gaps!)

 

[HannahB]

oh goats are quite different! Theyre very daring…and can jump well too. Id ideally use 6 foot deer fencing for a goat!
Youll have to trial and see what works, adding more lines/reinforcement posts as you go if necessary. Initially i would use 3 lines and a strong zapping fencer.

She's not much of a jumper, she's pygmy and getting on in life so tends to crawl under.

theres hedgerow all 4 sides, but sheep are known to try to escape through gaps in hedges arent they? (Ive never fenced sheep but hear they are excellent at escaping through tiny gaps!)

Hedges on all 4 sides but sheep fencing in only 2 sides.

 

[PeterNatt]

I put them the length of the plastic poles so if the plastic posts are 5 feet long then I space them every 5 feet with them alternatively placed to the tape so that if the wind blows it can not blow the tape off a line of plastic poles.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Bottom one needs to be low enough so that a sheep grazing under it will get zapped on its face.