Does welded wire mesh w/ 4''x4'' squares and at least 5ft high exist???

[tlatham72]

Hi all,

My apologies in advance for such a long post. My main question is up-front, but I added details in case you have other input to help me. Thanks!

I've been searching for welded wire (for a fence) with the specs in the subject for literally hours on google, and I can't find a manufacturer or source that seems to sell with those specs. I'm new to farm fencing and I'm stumped.

Has anyone ever used or found 4x4 square openings for wire that is taller than 4ft?

Other Questions:
I'm moving from a subdivision to the country, so I'm building a "farm" fence instead of a privacy fence. I don't even know what you call different styles of farm fencing. In case I'm way off in my design, I'm open to feedback, suggested changes, etc.

My current fence design:

• 900 linear feet of a 5ft high "farm" fence (will go around the entirety of the cleared area of my back yard...woods are beyond that).
• 8ft tall wooden posts 2 ft in concrete every 8ft
• 5ft tall wire welded mesh (or I am open to other suggestions) and I'd settle for 6ft tall
• 4 horizontal rails across each section of fence created by the posts. (They will actually be 16ft long and will extend acros 2 sections at a time)
• 1 "topper" board between each set of posts, to cover the edge of the top rail and the top edge of the wire mesh.
• All wood will be pressure treated and later sealed
• Still deciding if I want to bury the bottom of the wire in the ground....bottom rail is going to be against the ground...to deter digging
• Still deciding what gauge of wire to use...
• Have also investigated fixed knot wire and some others but I can't find correct dimensions and confused about what works best

The purpose of my fence includes:

• Keeping my three 80lb "sporting" dogs that run, jump, dig, investigate, chase things, and generally find any trouble that is there to find contained to the fenced backyard instead of roaming the countryside. They are my babies and live inside but are allowed outside via dog door and are still young and full of energy.
• Keeping my dog crazies separated from my future pet chickens that I will be putting in a secure coop and run in the edge of the woods on the other side of the perimeter of the fence.
• Keeping 2 future pet goats contained when they are allowed to roam free within the entire area of the fenced backyard. They will have another fenced section within the backyard with a shelter that will be more secure (maybe with electric wire) for when I'm not home and at night, etc.
• Keeping predators out of the backyard to some degree. My new neighbors said there is a black bear that has been traveling through a few times a year for the past 4-5 years and sometimes cuts across my backyard. But, coyotes are very common, deer, and other country critters. My pups will always sleep inside at night.

Requirements:

• I want the fence to look relatively nice.
  
  
• It has to be at least 5ft tall; my pups can easily jump 4ft tall when motivated.
  THIS IS THE REQUIREMENT THAT IS CAUSING MY ISSUES FINDING A WELDED WIRE THAT DOUBLES AS GOAT WIRE
  
  
• It has to contain the goats to a pretty good degree.
  
  
• My understanding is that the 4x4 openings in the mesh are a requirement as small goats will get their heads stuck in wire with bigger squares.
  BUT WHAT ABOUT RECTANGULAR OR SMALLER SQUARES like 2x4 or 2X2 AND SUCH? ANY ISSUES WITH THOSE OPENINGS IF I FIND THEM IN 5FT TALL WELDED WIRE?
  
  
• Wire and construction that is stable/sturdy/strong enough to withstand goats pushing on it, rubbing on it to scratch, and trying to climb over it; I wouldn't put it past my dogs trying to climb it too.
  THE GOAT WIRE PANELS SEEM TO ALL BE 4 GAUGE AND 3X THE PRICE OF OTHER 4 GAUGE WIRE PANELS WITH DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS FOR THE OPENINGS. THE ROLLS OF 4X4 OPENINGS MIGHT HAVE BEEN MOSTLY 12 GAUGE. BUT WHEN YOU GO OVER 48" TALL, I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING 4 GAUGE THAT I RECALL. SO I'M NOT CLEAR ON WHAT GAUGE IS BEST FOR GOAT CONTAINMENT AND LONGEVITY OF MY FENCE. ALSO, WHAT CLASS / COATING FOR THE WIRE SO THAT IT WON'T RUST WITHIN A COUPLE OF YEARS?
  
  
• Since this fence is so long and is going to cost a small fortune to build, I'd like to make sure it is also going to last 10-15 years before needing to overhaul major components like the wire; I will of course be maintaining it each year.
  
  
• HAS ANYONE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE HORIZONTAL RAILS WARPING BADLY WHEN THE TREATED LUMBER STARTS TO DRY OUT SINCE THEY AREN'T BRACED BY ANY VERTICAL PICKETS? SHOULD I JUST USE SAWMILL LUMBER INSTEAD AND KEEP IT PAINTED OR STAINED AND SEALED SINCE THE DRY WOOD WON'T WARP? MY HUSBAND IS NOT KEEN AT ALL ON USING UNTREATED LUMBER, BUT I DON'T WANT MY FENCE TO BE A WARPED MESS.

Thanks all! This was even longer than I originally intended.
Tammy

Update:
Here's welded I wire I finally ran across on Amazon that is 5ft and 2x4 squares and 12.5 gauge which is the smallest wire I was trying to consider. (I've also found this online at Home Depot.) Is this okay for my goats?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NKK5SVS/?tag=backy-20

Update 2:
Could I use black coated galvanized chain link in the same manner at the welded wire? I found this at Home Depot and it meets my needs almost perfectly except it is chain link. The ad is for 4ft tall but I can order from the local store in 5ft tall. I def interested in the coating and prefer the black color. The wire inside the coating is 12.5 gauge. The opening is 2x2 which I like better than 2x4 visually.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/YARDGARD-4-ft-x-50-ft-9-Gauge-Black-Chain-Link-Fabric-308864A/202024339

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would use 2x4 welded wire with goats. 4x4 would allow them to stick their heads through. It comes in 5 and 6 foot.

I would also run a strand or two of electric fence wire, and add power to them on the inside of the fence to keep goats from rubbing on the fence. Goats will quickly trash it otherwise rubbing along it pushing.

 

[tlatham72]

I would use 2x4 welded wire with goats. 4x4 would allow them to stick their heads through. It comes in 5 and 6 foot.

I would also run a strand or two of electric fence wire, and add power to them on the inside of the fence to keep goats from rubbing on the fence. Goats will quickly trash it otherwise rubbing along it pushing.

Thank you so much for the feedback! I had read in so many places that 4x4 was what I should use, I was searching high and low for it (and found plenty in the 4ft height), but now I know it is okay to go smaller to the 2x4 which is a lot more prevalent in a variety of heights.

I have been considering adding the electrified wire as well, but because neighbors tell me we have a black bear that travels through a few times a year and uses my soon to be yard as his cut through to 65 acres of woods behind my property. Yowza! Was planning to run it across the top or on the other side of the fence though. Most of the time, the goats won't be allowed to roam free in the whole yard without me outside so maybe I can keep them from rubbing constantly on the fence??? They will have an electric mesh fence for their secured enclosure that I will rotate and will contain their house.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

With goats it's generally do what you think is best than wait for them to show you where you got it wrong. Happy goats will stay in their pen and unhappy goats will look for ways out. Every goat is different. I've had them go under, over, and through fences. So be ready to tweak your system. Be careful with electric netting. I have not used it but I imagine a goat could get tangled in it, and even jump over depending on breeds.

My goats used to love just pressing their sides against the welded wire and walking along rubbing themselves. They also will climb up and push it over, so electric will deter those shenanigans. Our fence is off most of the year, but is plugged in when a goat is getting to close to the fence, or starting to push on it, than it goes on for a while to remind them.

I personally would want to discourage the bear, the electric fence will certainly do that usually.

 

[tlatham72]

With goats it's generally do what you think is best than wait for them to show you where you got it wrong. Happy goats will stay in their pen and unhappy goats will look for ways out. Every goat is different. I've had them go under, over, and through fences. So be ready to tweak your system. Be careful with electric netting. I have not used it but I imagine a goat could get tangled in it, and even jump over depending on breeds.

My goats used to love just pressing their sides against the welded wire and walking along rubbing themselves. They also will climb up and push it over, so electric will deter those shenanigans. Our fence is off most of the year, but is plugged in when a goat is getting to close to the fence, or starting to push on it, than it goes on for a while to remind them.

I personally would want to discourage the bear, the electric fence will certainly do that usually.

Thanks again! All great insight! I imagine all of my glorious plans are going to be quickly revisited once I'm settled and the animals start arriving and showing me who the novice is.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Thanks again! All great insight! I imagine all of my glorious plans are going to be quickly revisited once I'm settled and the animals start arriving and showing me who the novice is.

Goats will make you very inventive. We are always trying to outsmart ours. I don't know if we ever do. I think they just let us win occasionally.

 

[res]

I am a HUGE fan of the cost, ease-of-use and effectiveness of electric mesh.

I have used Premier 1( https://www.premier1supplies.com/c/fencing/electric-netting ) and Power Fields electric netting for 6+ years on my little 5-acre "farm" to contain (or fence OUT) goats, chickens, ducks, dogs, coyotes, horses and cattle. I have zero complaints about the products. I do live in a tiny little subdivision with 4 other acreage neighbors, we all have NICE properties, so my fencing also had to look "classy" in addition to being safe and effective. I actually took the step-in posts out of the electric mesh, and wove smooth wire thru the top and bottom strands, and "suspended" it on insulators mounted on wood posts. Above the mesh, for visual affect, I ran 2 strands of white tape. It is powered by a Parmak 30-mile AC charger on 2 ground rods. The charger is pegged out at 19.9v, and let me tell you, the fence WILL get your attention. I have never had an animal get tangled in it, as none of them want to be near it!

Premier 1 is a fantastic company with amazing customer support and all of their products are used/tested on their test farm, and must be PROVEN to work before being marketed.

This is a pic of a corner of one of my goat pastures (there are actually 7 breeding does somewhere out in that grass!)... the pipe panels are the drylot-feed area-catch pen.

 

[Sea Wolf]

Check farm stores for what are called "Hog Panels". I use them stapled on 4x4 posts in the ground for my dogs and chickens. Not a 4x4 square in the fence though but VERY sturdy stuff. 4 foot high and 12 foot lengths.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Check farm stores for what are called "Hog Panels". I use them stapled on 4x4 posts in the ground for my dogs and chickens. Not a 4x4 square in the fence though but VERY sturdy stuff. 4 foot high and 12 foot lengths.

If goats have horns you will spend all day trying to get their heads out of those panels. So don't use if your goats have horns.

 

[tlatham72]

If goats have horns you will spend all day trying to get their heads out of those panels. So don't use if your goats have horns.

Thanks! Good to know. I don't plan for them to have horns if at all possible.