How to Build Barb Wired Farm Fences
How to Build Barb Wired Farm Fences
Barbed wire fences are used extensively in agriculture as a means to keep animals on the correct feed plots to prevent overgrazing of pasture. They also provide a lower-cost alternative to electric or wood fencing when it is necessary to keep animals from wandering across roads, driveways or onto neighboring properties. Setting up a barbed wire fence is a chore, but when completed it provides a strong, low-maintenance fence at an economical price.
Instructions
1 Determine the positions of the individual fence posts and dig their holes in the ground using the post hole diggers. It is best to start with the corners, and then make the holes at 8-foot intervals. Each hole needs to be at least two feet in the ground.
2 Bury the fence posts in the ground, solidly packing the dirt into the hole to hold the fence post securely in place.
3 Attach the first barbed wire line to the bottom of the corner fencepost, within eight inches of the ground. This allows you to apply tension to the barbed wire without pulling the top of the corner fence posts over. Use the fencing staples to hold the barbed wire in position, pounding them into place with a hammer. Wear gloves when handling barbed wire to avoid cuts and scrapes.
4 Run the barbed wire from the bottom of the corner post to the top of the post beside it, then secure it partially in place with a fencing staple, but do not tighten it.
5 Run the barbed wire down the length of the fence. Attach the ratcheting pulley to the opposite corner post, then attach the barbed wire to the ratcheting pulley.
6 Return to the first corner, and begin fixing the barbed wire to the top of the remaining fence posts with fencing staples, still not tightening them completely, and ensuring that you leave the barbs of the wire on the side of the fencing staple where they will not interfere with tightening the barbed wire with the tensioner.
7 Tighten the tensioner to take any additional slack out of the top line of barbed wire, then fasten the wire to the base of the second corner fence post, secure all the staples in place with the hammer, and remove the tensioner. Install a second, third and fourth length of barbed wire below the top wire if necessary, then perform the same routine to all four sides of the pasture to be fenced.
8 Install four lengths of barbed wire at each of the corners where the barbed wire fence is attached near the ground. These corners should reach to the first posts adjacent to the corner posts, but do not need to run the length of the fence. The purpose of these additional pieces is to secure the corners where the barbed wire is angled downward.
