Tips on Barbed Wire Fencing

Height

• A barbed wire fence that is too high can be a danger to the chest and neck area of human beings. When the fence is too low, it can cause damage to human and animal legs. A guideline to use is the Montana state law for the height of a barbed wire fence. Fences should be no less than 44 inches high and no more than 48 inches high. You should have three sections of barbed wire on your fence, with the lowest string between 15 and 18 inches off the ground.

Protection

• A barbed wire fence only needs to be sharp on one side to be effective. Your neighbors may have concerns about your barbed wire fence if they have children or animals, such as horses that can be injured by barbed wire. Vinyl fencing can be used on your neighbor's side of the fence to prevent the barbed wire from causing injury. The barbed portion of the wire will still be exposed on your side of the fence to help keep your cattle contained.

Posts

• Your fence posts should be spaced approximately 15 feet apart and in a straight line whenever possible, according to the Polar Metal website. The post holes should be approximately 5 inches deep. Avoid fence lines that have trees, drainage ditches or other obstructions in the way.

Gates

• When planning your barbed wire fence, do not forget to factor in a gate. Make sure the gate is lined up with access roads to make it easier to corral livestock and get heavy equipment in and out of the pasture. Make the gate wide enough to accommodate large machinery and remember to put a good bolt system on the gate to prevent it from opening and allowing your livestock to escape.