Livestock are a valuable investment, so it’s important to make sure they’re
in a safe, contained environment. Here’s all you need to know about
Livestock Containment.
Why Contain Livestock?
Livestock
Containment is extremely important because it keeps the animals
safe. The first thing to remember about Livestock Containment is that its
purpose is to keep the livestock in and predators out. Fences are no good if
they keep the animal in, but also allow predators to slip through small
spaces.
All animals need some kind of shelter from the elements. Usually a three
sided shed that’s located within the fence will suffice. The shed should
face away from winter winds and should be cleaned regularly.
Animals Are Different
All livestock require different means of Livestock
Containment, but they
all need a lot of space. Cattle respond well to barbed wire and woven wire
fences. Barbed wire is also good for sheep and goats, though you might want
to be careful with sheep because their wool can get stuck in the barbs.
Horses do not do well with wire because they need to be able to see the
fence or else they may run into it. Electric fences are good for horses and
other animals.
Electric fences are popular for many kinds of Livestock Containment
because it keeps the livestock in and the predators out. However, it is
subject to power outages so you might want to look at other options if your
power goes out frequently.