Non-electrified high-tensile

[bubba1358]

I'm wondering about options for a low-cost fence for a full-size donkey and cow. I'm considering using a high-tensile fence, as cost is a major factor for me. However, I don't necessarily want to electrify it, since parts of it may be in areas that get overgrown - thus shorting out the hot wires via weeds and whatnot.

So the question is, does non-electric high-tensile work on cattle? I don't have the cow yet, as I need to build the fence first. Just planning ahead. Thanks.

 

[Rocco]

I would venture a guess you would be disappointed in the outcome of having the set-up you described with cattle and a donkey. Both will push on a fence...so you would need many strands of high tensile wire to contain them, and by that point why not put up a full barbed wire fence, or use a shorter field fence (like 32") with a couple strands of barbed wire over the top.

And, are you talking an area large enough that the livestock wouldn't keep it grazed down - thus not having the issue of electrifying it?

 

[bubba1358]

I do the intensive/rotational thing right now with electric netting. I love how it works out, keeping the graze fresh and the animals interested. I am looking to expand, adding a single milk cow w/ calf in the next year or two. But the extra netting and second charger at that point begins to bring the workload every two weeks way out of balance. So I'd rather do something permanent, like 4 half-acre pastures through which the cow and donkey come through for two week stretches before rotating on.

I do like the barbed wire idea. I'm looking to get away from relying on electric all the time, as my current charger has gone through stretches of being down for days at a time. I'd like to just not have to worry about it. I'm open to a single electric strand inside the fence to keep from pushing against it. One that they learn to keep away from. Plus, yes - certain section would get very long with 6 weeks of rest, and touch the fence. Not having to cut it down weekly would be ideal.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[goodhors]

High tensile without electric is wasted money. Both donkey and cattle LOVE to rub on
things, so they be using posts for scratching and reaching thru to graze. JUST because
they can! So at some point, they will catch a body part in the wire, to get cut or
rip down a LOT of fence trying to get loose or both. Tensile wire does NOT break easily,
though the staples WILL pop out of the posts without much difficulty. Then the
wire starts self-coiling and entangles things. Just a bad, over-all situation.

I would also say to get the woven wire, barbed above, before doing high tensile
with no plan to use electric with it. Electric is part of the plan in using tensile wire,
not as a stand-alone fence system. That kind of use is what gives high tensile wire
the terrible reputation for slicing and damaging animals.

 

[bubba1358]

Thanks. That's what I was afraid of.

What about barbed wire strands? Anyone with some experience on non-electric barbed wire for cattle and/or donkey? How many, what spacing, etc? Thnx!!