Feeder pen?????

[CletusBodeen]

After doing a few searches, I haven't found the info I'm looking for. I'm going to be putting out a protien feeder next weekend ( I hope) and will need to build a feeder pen. I plan to build it in a circle and close to 80' across.

My question is, does anybody use barbed wire to build their pens. I'm thinking of doing 5 strands with the bottom strand being at 6" off the ground. The next strand at 12", the third will be 18", the fourth will be 27" and the top strand will top out at 39". Will this type set up possibly keep pigs and cows out. I'm trying to do this as "cheap" as I can and still get the job done. I will space t-post at 6' or 8' with stays in between and cemented pipe posts every 4th post.

Any other ideas or input? Will it work or should I drop the coin for hog panels?

[Stan R]

Barbed wire will not keep hogs out... from my experience

[ronny]

It want keep the pigs out and if 1 cow ever gets in its over. A cow can be like a pig.

[Cuz]

I disagree. This will keep cows out if the strands are tight and if they are tight enough and t-posts close enough it'll keep most hogs out. I keep cows out with a 4 strand b-wire fence that's not even "that" tight. Still your best bet to keep hogs out is square "goat fence". More expensive though...

[cajunguy88]

The hogs will eventually get under the barbed wire. I'd look into welded wire fencing or hog panels.

[Mac...]

I don't think it'll keep out pigs.
Slack or no slack they'll find a way in if they can reach the cones to eat from.
I'd go with panels if pigs were your goal.
I'm gonna try cutting some panels down the center to make them 24" tall and then run barbed wire on top of that. That should deter most, if not all.
But then again, I haven't been seeing near as many pigs as I have been...

But should keep out the cattle no problem.

[DorothyNotKeegan]

We have hog fence around all of ours. The cows have still pushed it down...

[bluelake26]

use hog panels to keep hogs out

[Mac...]

We have hog fence around all of ours. The cows have still pushed it down...

You need to feed your cows better

Not your cows, you need to tell the owner that they aren't taking very good care of their cows if they are that desperate for corn or protien.
As of right now, I don't have any fences on my feeders and none of the cattle (except on few occasions) have jacked with em.

[tgil]

panels, IMHO, is the only thing that will keep the hogs out.

[Deathrow Jethro]

Use hog panels with a strand of barbed wire around to top... The hogs will either go under the bottom strand or between the bottom strand and second strand...

[Smart]

You need to feed your cows better

Not your cows, you need to tell the owner that they aren't taking very good care of their cows if they are that desperate for corn or protien.
As of right now, I don't have any fences on my feeders and none of the cattle (except on few occasions) have jacked with em.

Yep....telling the owner he is not running his business right because some dumb curious bovine likes to destroy fencing and the smell of corn is a great way to improve your landowner- lesse relationship....

This place was 4,800 acres, well maintained, not overstocked and grass was shin high most of the year. As you can see some of the dumb bovine just couldn't help themselves...

[DorothyNotKeegan]

Funny you say this Jason...we had them destroy more than on pen on both corn feeders and protein.

[WCB]

Won't work for hogs but anyone ever hear of using a 2X6 about 3'/4' off the ground and tied to a t-post to keep cows out??? Instead of barb wire???

[CletusBodeen]

I could do 6 strands and put the first 3 3" apart starting at 3" from the ground or I can get some old telephone poles and line the bottom of the pen with those.

I'll probably quit being so cheap and get the dang panels