Cattle panels are what I use; there are several different types. The cattle panels have bigger openings and less wire making them less expensive but very strong. They are 16 feet long. Originally, I purchased two for the garden, one hooped for some of my heirloom tomato plants which grow forever and the other left upright. An example is here:
The price at this site is more in line with what I paid several years ago ($18) for far less than what they now cost ($28) at our local farm store. Be aware that you will need bolt cutters to cut them in different lengths. There are a variety of ways to fasten them with special cattle panel fasteners. I really like the method with the hooks and pvc pipe Margaret described but I haven't gotten my new panels yet to try it. I did cut one of those I have and was very grateful for the bolt-cutter suggestion; I borrowed a pair of heavy duty cutters from a friend.
There was a wonderful discussion complete with great photos in the thread "Moveable Pens" this past week or so and certainly good to review. Click on "Forums" at the top of the page, then "Moveable Pens" for the full three-page discussion, very informative and lots of imagination. The last reply, Reply by Margaret Langley on June 1, 2012 at 8:28am, is extremely valuable.
Jess, if that "Livestock panels?", means you don't know what they are then lets fix that part first ok. ? BTW you will love them. They are great. Do you have a Tractor Supply Co. store were you live? Look them up online if you are not sure. Check with your local feed stores. Just ask if they have livestock panels. They will know what they are. They come in several types, all vary in the size of the holes in them. Pig panels are shorter and not a good idea for you to get. Goat and/or sheep panels with 4x4 holes are real nice but way more expensive and not usually necessary with most teenagers to adults. They also make a combo panel which is the height of all of them except the short pig one but has more crossbars around the bottom therefore smaller holes at the bottom. But it is also kinda pricey. Now finally, what most of us use is the cow panel. It has good height and will keep in most teenagers and adults but not little guys. So when we have a pen with the panels that needs to be used for kids we simply line around the bottom with chicken wire, bird netting, or whatever our favorite thing to use is, mine being 2x4 welded wire. Some of us really like to use zip ties(hehehe)so that is how we attach our kiddie barrier to the panels. One more important detail is that they are 16' long, which has some wonderful advantages. I use mine that length but it can be tricky to get them home depending on what you have to transport them in and believe it or not I do it in a pickup truck. Some people cut them so they are easier to move around for portable pens. I struggle through it to keep mine 16' cause I love the space. Happy Fence Studying!
I love the bird netting idea, and it doesn't add any weight. I was going to use chicken wire so like this much better; the cattle panels are heavy enough by themselves.
Replies
Cattle panels are what I use; there are several different types. The cattle panels have bigger openings and less wire making them less expensive but very strong. They are 16 feet long. Originally, I purchased two for the garden, one hooped for some of my heirloom tomato plants which grow forever and the other left upright. An example is here:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/feedlot-panels/feedlot-panel-cattle-16...
The price at this site is more in line with what I paid several years ago ($18) for far less than what they now cost ($28) at our local farm store. Be aware that you will need bolt cutters to cut them in different lengths. There are a variety of ways to fasten them with special cattle panel fasteners. I really like the method with the hooks and pvc pipe Margaret described but I haven't gotten my new panels yet to try it. I did cut one of those I have and was very grateful for the bolt-cutter suggestion; I borrowed a pair of heavy duty cutters from a friend.
There was a wonderful discussion complete with great photos in the thread "Moveable Pens" this past week or so and certainly good to review. Click on "Forums" at the top of the page, then "Moveable Pens" for the full three-page discussion, very informative and lots of imagination. The last reply, Reply by Margaret Langley on June 1, 2012 at 8:28am, is extremely valuable.
http://nigeriandwarfgoats.ning.com/forum/topics/movable-pens?id=412...
Jess, if that "Livestock panels?", means you don't know what they are then lets fix that part first ok. ? BTW you will love them. They are great. Do you have a Tractor Supply Co. store were you live? Look them up online if you are not sure. Check with your local feed stores. Just ask if they have livestock panels. They will know what they are. They come in several types, all vary in the size of the holes in them. Pig panels are shorter and not a good idea for you to get. Goat and/or sheep panels with 4x4 holes are real nice but way more expensive and not usually necessary with most teenagers to adults. They also make a combo panel which is the height of all of them except the short pig one but has more crossbars around the bottom therefore smaller holes at the bottom. But it is also kinda pricey. Now finally, what most of us use is the cow panel. It has good height and will keep in most teenagers and adults but not little guys. So when we have a pen with the panels that needs to be used for kids we simply line around the bottom with chicken wire, bird netting, or whatever our favorite thing to use is, mine being 2x4 welded wire. Some of us really like to use zip ties(hehehe)so that is how we attach our kiddie barrier to the panels. One more important detail is that they are 16' long, which has some wonderful advantages. I use mine that length but it can be tricky to get them home depending on what you have to transport them in and believe it or not I do it in a pickup truck. Some people cut them so they are easier to move around for portable pens. I struggle through it to keep mine 16' cause I love the space. Happy Fence Studying!
I love the bird netting idea, and it doesn't add any weight. I was going to use chicken wire so like this much better; the cattle panels are heavy enough by themselves.
Oh, I have brain leakage for SURE... even BEFORE goats. lol
Deborah and I have "Brain Leaks" and Rachel and I are "Ziptie Freaks"! HEHE, I'm a Poet!
I zip tie bird netting along the bottom of my cattle panels. No baby escapes yet! :) My chickens fly over, and my LGD keeps the predators out.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next