Barbed wire (or razor wire) fencing has long been one of the common materials used to protect property boundaries and contain animals. This type of fence is made from twisted strands of wire that have sharp burrs lining the surface. These spiked bumps have proven useful in deterring livestock and cattle from challenging the fence.
The sharp spikes can snag or pierce your skin and this will usually refrain animals from trying to push against the fence. Most cattle quickly learn to respect the edge of the barbed wire and keep a safe distance from the punishment wire. Even people and predators can be deterred from entering an area surrounded by barbed wire fences.
Depending on how the fence is structured and the material used, the spikes may be several feet apart on each strand or they may be only a few inches apart. This type of fence is tensioned against the posts before it is secured, giving the fence strings almost no flex and making it a difficult barrier to cross. Fences can use one wire or multiple lengths of wire to create a barrier that will be difficult to cross.
In addition to causing pain and injury to animals, a barbed wire fence can cause the same to humans who inadvertently come into contact with it. Even repair and maintenance can be dangerous and time consuming. There are many people who feel that the benefits of barbed wire fencing are outweighed by these problems.
Have you been wondering, “Is barbed wire fencing the way to protect your property?” There are some alternatives to using barbed wire fencing on your property that are more humane to animals and can offer the same type of high protection features. You may want to consider electric, steel, or woven wire fencing for your needs. All of these can be used to effectively safeguard livestock and mark the boundaries of your property.
There are some very high quality woven wire fences that are now available. Many of these are made from heavy-duty wire and will last longer and look better than some of the wire fencing you may be more familiar with. Animals are easy to contain within the confines of this fence and do not get hurt if they come into contact with the wire. These can be used as temporary or permanent fencing in any type of location.
Electric fences can be made with wire or can be concealed with strands of string and tape. These fences will deliver a low level electrical shock if contact is made with the wires. This is usually enough to keep your animals within their confinement area. These types of fences will also help keep intruders or predators at bay. Some of these models even run on solar power, which lowers the cost.
Steel fences can be very expensive, but they are also secure and durable. These are generally used for smaller fencing jobs and the strength of this material is undeniable. Steel fencing is often used for horses, and if properly installed and maintained can last for many years.