How to Install Sheep Fencing

Known for their tendency to bolt through insecure fences when startled, sheep require a sturdy containment system that will keep them inside the fence and predators outside. Two popular sheep-fencing options are woven-wire fencing and high-tensile electric fencing. A high-tensile electric sheep fence comes with a lower installation cost and is easier to install than a woven-wire fence. In addition to strong corner posts, your high-tensile electric sheep fence must also have a proper grounding system in place to maximize overall effectiveness.

Things You'll Need

  • Wooden corner posts (pressure-treated, 6 to 8 inches in diameter)
  • Post-hole digger
  • Level
  • Tamping rod
  • Steel T-posts (line posts)
  • Post driver
  • Corner post insulators
  • Hammer
  • Line post insulators
  • Smooth electric wire (12 1/2-gauge)
  • Wire cutters
  • Insulated cable
  • Fence charger
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Instructions

    • 1

      Install corner posts. Dig a two- to three-foot hole with your post-hole digger, insert the bottom end of the first post in the hole and place your level on top to ensure that the pole is not tipped. Pound the dirt into the hole around the pole with a tamping rod, creating a six-inch mound of dirt around the base of the pole to ensure that rain water will run away from the pole. Repeat this process for each corner post.

    • 2

      Install line posts. Locate your line posts 18 to 24 feet apart. Place the base of the steel T-post at your chosen location and position the post driver over the top of the T-post, letting it slide until the top of the T-post touches to inside the top of the post driver. Grasp both handles of the post driver and pound the T-post into the ground approximately 12 to 18 inches. Repeat this process for each line post.

    • 3

      Install corner post insulators. Gerald Fitch, Extension Sheep Specialist at Oklahoma State University, suggests that a 7-wire fence that is approximately 48 inches tall provides an ideal perimeter electric fence for sheep. Position the bottom row of insulators six inches from the ground, and position the other six rows of insulators 5 to 10 inches apart from each other. Use nail-on plastic insulators for the wooden corner posts, hammering firmly until the nails have completely entered the posts.

    • 4

      Install line post insulators. Clasp snap-on insulators around the circumference of the steel T-posts and push the clasps until they click in place. Repeat this process for all the insulators on each line post.

    • 5

      Run the wire. String the bottom wire first, running it through the insulators between two corner posts before stretching it tightly. Repeat this process between each set of corner posts for the bottom wire. Repeat the same procedure for each additional wire.

    • 6

      Connect your charged wires (the bottom wire, third wire, fifth wire and seventh wire) together with a jumper wire. The jumper wire allows electricity to run between your charged wires without connecting to the grounded wires. Position the jumper wire at the corner post closest to your fence charger. Cut a length of insulated cable that can reach between the bottom and third wire. Strip the insulation from the two ends of the insulated cable and wrap one exposed wire end around the bottom wire of your fence and the other exposed wire end around the third wire of your fence. Repeat this process, connecting the third wire to the fifth wire and the fifth wire to the seventh wire.

    • 7

      Cut a strip of insulated cable long enough to reach between your jumper wire and your fence charger. This is the lead-out wire, which will conduct electricity from your fence charger to the fence. Strip the insulation from the two ends, connect one end to the exposed jumper wire on the top wire of your fence, then connect the other end of the lead-out wire to the positive terminal on your fence charger.