In two occasions I have installed or helped install barbed wire. That does not make me an expert. Not at all. Nevertheless, I think I might be able to share some insights, tips, and tricks if you want to do it yourself.
When to use barbed wire?
When cattle are involved. It does not help much to keep people out, also a wide range of smaller animals such as chicken will still be able to get onto your lot.
The first occasion was to fence of a building lot of a relative, in an suburban area that is still pretty underdeveloped.
Picture dust roads, basically pastureland with no basic services, and cattle walking around freely. The only thing reminding you that in some day in future houses will be build here are little white painted stakes planted to mark the blocks and lots.
Over time these stakes will get lost, disintegrate or simple overgrown by vegetation. Therefore, we had to fence the lot. This will keep the cattle out once we start building, and it literally marks our territory.
Post and wire fencing
For barbed wire fencing you need the following materials:
• A roll of 500m barbed wire. Or several. Enough to get around 5 lines.
• Wooden posts 2,2 m length. Every 3 meter, plus two extra in each corner
• Corner posts
• Cramps (2 kg per roll of wire)
• Hammer
• Gloves
• Wire cutter
• Post hole digger
• Two fit man to do the job for you
I just made up the length and distance requirements. Some time ago so I will need to figure this out looking the photos. Now it is rough guestimation.
Make sure the land is cleared and level before to start. Do not underestimate the weight of a bunch of poles. I had to hire a large truck with 4×4 to be able to get pass the muddy roads leading to the destination.
Use a post hole digger to make the holes. It is important that the corner posts are extra strong. Also, on either side of the fence a big post is required. It is straight forward. Make sure to wear gloves and have fun with hammer and cramps.
Making the entrance with barbed wire fencing
Something to think about is if and how you want to make the entrance. I have seen several options. The simplest being no entrance at all. Followed by a step over using small poles on either side. Make a small wooden door hanging in hinges is nice too. A smart one is placing two posts close to each other, in one sneaky corner or behind a tree. In such a way, a person who knows the tricky entrance can slip through, but cattle can never pass. From a distance nobody will notice this easy, but hidden entrance.
• Step over
• Wooden door
• Opening between two posts
• Removable fence for a vehicle to enter
In case a vehicle needs to be able to enter the lot, you must create a larges fence. A series of sticks hammered together with barbed wire is a quick and easy way to create a fence. Place the sticks close together, like a yard or less distance. To cover the required 4m distance.
Barbed wire fencing
There are several types of wire fences out there. The most economical is simply barbed wire. It keeps out the cows. Nothing more, nothing less. That was exactly what we need!
• Barbed wire fence (Bub wire)
• Razor wire (Concertina wire)
• Hog wire fence
• Woven wire fence
• High tensile fence
• Wood and wire fence
• Chicken wire fence
Now a barbed wire fence for a building lot really is a temporal solution. In fact it is fine to protect the area before the build starts, but as soon as you will leave materials on site a more serious fence is required. It took us some time to decide on the fencing. There are so many options! It is quit some spectrum from a natural fence to a brick wall.