If you are hoping to get a rule of thumb answer to how far apart fence posts should be, you will be disappointed. There is no rule for fencing, it all depends on a number of factors. You may notice that many rural fencing Perth farms have different spacing and this guide will give you the considerations that determine this.
Kicking off
To kick things off, you need to differentiate between the two types of posts.
- Strainer Posts: These ones are made to maintain the tension of the wire fence and keep it erect. The strainer acts like a peg for the wires.
- Pickets: They channel the wire and give support.
Spacing Picket Fences
These are the factors to take into consideration when setting up picket fences:
Terrain: If the ground is flat, the spacing can be wide while on a sloping area, the pickets will need to be close together
How many wires you have: The more the wires, the closer the pickets, this is intended to provide added support for the extra weight
The type of animals: The bigger and heavier the animals, the closer the spacing. Cows would need closer pickets than sheep.
Spacing for Strainer Posts
Unlike pickets, strainer posts can be far apart and still hold in cows. The type of livestock does not matter, you just need strong posts to keep big or small livestock in.
Corners and Angles: To create corners in the fencing or change in direction, a trainer post would be needed, they can withstand the tension in the wires. If the change in direction is at a critical angle, a stay may be used to add support to the strainer.
Topography: Hills and gullies require a strainer at each point. Inline strainer posts should be put at the bottom of a gully so that it is not pulled out by the wire tension and at the top of a hill so that the wire tension does not push it into the ground.
Gates: At the gate, two posts would be needed, one on each side of the gate.
Strainer size: To ensure a strong rural fencing Perth it is advisable to go with thick strainer posts. A certain thickness is recommended. With thick strainers, the distance in between each post can be long and they will still hold the wire tight and upright.
Recommended Spacing
Fencing for Plants
This is intended to keep out animals like pigs and kangaroos, the recommended spacing would be 4 meters if the animals are many but for just a few, 5 meters is sufficient.
Fencing for Cattle
For rowdy cattle, use inline strainer posts after every 3 to 4 pickets, this will add strength to a picket fence. For ordinary tempered cattle, a distance of 5 meters between strainers will suffice. If it is on hilly ground, keep the posts 3 meters apart.
Fencing for Sheep
Since sheep do not put high pressure on the fence, a distance of 4 meters will be good enough but the wires should have high tension to keep the lambs in. This applies to flat as well as the hilly ground.
Ground Condition
The spacing does not matter for the ground condition, however, in soft soil like clay and black soil, the posts need to be long and should be driven deep to rock bottom, while in the rocky ground the rocks will provide support.
In the end, ensure you buy irrigation supplies Perth and farm fencing supplies Perth from reliable manufacturers.
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