How to Set Up an Electric Livestock Fence

Electric fences are used to keep livestock inside or keep predators or other animals out. Wood fences are expensive and labor intensive. Barbed wire can injure the animals it contains as well as people. Electric fences are easy to install, flexible and cost effective. An electric fence is made up of one or more strands of steel wire electrified by a fencer or charger. The wire can be attached to most any type of post as long as it is insulated from the post.

Things You'll Need

  • Electric wire
  • Upright posts
  • Insulators
  • Ground rod
  • Fencer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Install upright posts. Many prefer metal posts commonly known as t-posts. They are easy to drive into the ground and can be easily removed and relocated if necessary. Posts can be set every 12 feet. At the corners of the enclosure, choose a slightly sturdier type of post such as a 6-inch by 6-inch wood post. For extra support, use three of these posts for each corner spaced about 4 feet apart. This will keep the structure straight when pulling the wire tight or if an animal runs into the fence.

    • 2

      Attach plastic insulators to all the posts. Insulators are designed to have wire run through them and hold the wire on the post while preventing the wire from grounding out. Insulators come in a variety of styles. Choose an insulator designed to fit a t-post. Place on edge on the front of the post and bend it around toward the back and snap it on. Space three insulators about a foot apart per post. Wood insulators for the corner posts are a different style and require being nailed onto the post. All insulators are labeled on the bag for correct usage.

    • 3

      Ground the fencer. A fencer or charger is the source of electricity for the fence. Most place the fencer outside near a power source so it may be plugged in. Some fencers are solar and some run on 6- or 12-volt batteries. However, the most common option, is one which plugs into an electrical outlet. The fencer must be grounded by pounding a designated metal ground rod 3 feet into the ground. Moist ground is preferable. Labeled on the fencer is a place to attach a conductor wire from the fencer to the ground rod.

    • 4

      Run wire from the fencer through the insulators located on the fence posts. Start with attaching wire to a location on the fencer labeled for hot wire. This is where the electricity will leave the fencer and charge the wire. Begin with the top insulators and when that is finished move the wire down to the second row. If all wires aren̵7;t meant to be hot (electrified), cut the wire and secure it to the end post insulator. Secure a new line of wire to an insulator and begin again. It is recommended to have top, bottom and middle wires hot to keep livestock from attempting to push on the fence while grazing.