There are also options that require no digging at all, such as building the fence. Where it will be placed and nailing it down or screwing it into the ground. You can use rollers on wheels to push your wire through thick areas of your property. You will need to hire an extra hand or two. Wild hogs can wreak havoc in a garden or vegetable field. They destroy crops, dig up the ground and cause other damage to the area. You can hire someone to capture them for you. But you may end up spending more money that it would cost for a wire fencing system. This post will help you decide what size of hog wire fence is right for your property. Which you should use and when, and how much to expect to spend on your hog fence installation.
Which type of fence do you need?
The most common hog fence that you will find is the welded wire hog fence. It is cheap, easy to install, and very effective for containing the wild pigs. The fences can be made from a variety of materials such as woven wire, pig iron, and aluminum. There are also roll-down fences that can protect a larger area than the welded wire but cost more to install and use more material when building them.
How much fence do you need and what type?
The best source for this information is at the USDA website. A grid system goes from 1-10, with one being the smallest and 10 being the largest area that you will be fencing. The USDA Table for Wild Pigs recommends 2 fences of a given number for an average sized property to keep them out. These numbers are just a guide so you may need more depending on how much property you have and whether or not there is a fence around part of the area already. You can read more about the USDA recommendations here .
What kind of fence do you need?
As mentioned previously, you will find many types of hog fences available to purchase. The choice of the type is up to your preference and budget but the post must be at least 8 feet tall. The USDA recommendations state that the best choice is a wire fence that is at least 4 feet tall. It is most effective as long as the fence is good quality and not damaged.
When do you need a hog fence?
The USDA recommends installing hog fences before the wild hogs become a problem in your area. If you have already seen signs of pigs at your property, it is too late to install a hog fence. You must first use other methods to keep them out, such as using a repellent spray or sonic fence.
How much does it cost?
You can purchase hog wire fence for about $10 per foot for the material and the installation will be about $1-$2 per foot. You must also consider the costs of materials and labor to install roll-down fences, which are more expensive. The USDA states that you should budget between $5-$20 per linear foot extra for installation of these fences.
How do you install a wire fence?
There are many different methods to install a hog fence. Some recommend using a dozer to cut away the area where the fence is to be installed. There are also options that require no digging at all, such as building the fence. Where it will be placed and nailing it down or screwing it into the ground. You can use rollers on wheels to push your wire through thick areas of your property. You will need to hire an extra hand or two.
If you have a small area to fence in and you would like to do it on your own. Take a look at our post about how to build your own hog wire fence. You can also check out our article about choosing the right hog fence material for more information. That will help you decide which is the best option for your property.
The most important thing is that a hog wire fence is only as good as the way it was installed. If the fence is damaged from weather, animals, or from being cut through then. It will negatively affect its effectiveness in keeping the wild pigs out. There are many ways to build a wire fence that can keep wild hogs out but you must use quality, durable materials and install them correctly. A good fence is the first step to keeping wild hogs out of your garden or off your property.
Choosing a Wild Hog Wire Fence: What You Need to Know
You Will Need:
Wire fencing supplies (use hog wire if you can) 4-6 coils of fence wire. At least 4 ft high (if your budget allows, go with 6 ft or taller) fencing post stakes. About $10 for 50 wooden posts or metal T-posts for about $5 for 10 t-posts metal hammer and metal post hole digger self tapping screws with drill bit sinker pliers or vice grips duct tape and wire.
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The Process:
#1. Mark out your fence perimeter. Ideally, you will already have a perimeter fence for the area you wish to contain, such as a hog fence or deer fence. If not, you will need to install one.
For the purposes of demonstration, we are going to assume that farmers are installing a hog wire fence on new ground they intend to plant in the spring.
To determine the perimeter and length of your hog wire fence. You need to know two things: the size of your parcel of land and how wide you want your fence. You can use the plat map on our site to help you decide if it will fit. Alternatively, you can also look through local newspaper maps or posts on Facebook groups like Virginia Hog Fence Farmers or Hog Farm Owners. In addition, you can also go to Google Maps and view satellite imagery.
Pick a starting point, and measure the perimeter of your property. If it intersects with the existing perimeter fence, you can use your existing fence for part of the new fence.
If your land is irregular in shape or if you are in a pinch for time. Simply make your hog wire fence wide enough that you have one coil per linear foot. To determine how long to make it length-wise, simply multiply the width by two. Keep in mind that a hog fence will not be enough to keep out wild hogs. If there is an underlying problem nearby. For example, a low hedge can exist within 8 feet of your hog fence without being wired; this is because the hog wire will only act as an obstacle.
Length should be determined by the size of your smallest tract. A good rule of thumb is to extend your fence at least 40 ft from the nearest tree or building (whichever is closer).
#2. Install your hog wire fence.
When installing hog wire fence, first use the sinker pliers or vice grips to loosen the existing post or bolt, then pull down on the section of fence you wish to remove (see diagram). You will likely have to dig post holes around trees and posts that stick out of the ground.
Use the metal post hole digging tool to dig one hole for every 6 inches of fencing you plan to install (i.e., 1 ft x 6 inches = 6 holes). Make sure the hole is large and deep enough to accept the post. If you are using T-posts, hammer them into the ground before stringing the fence wire around them using your fingers or some wire.
For this demonstration, we are using post stakes with our hog wire fence. Because they can be pounded into the ground without a lot of effort. Use a hammer and metal stake digger to pound one stake per post hole and two stakes per line of fencing.
Next, using your wire fence and your post stakes, string the fence from one end to the other. You will want to embed your hog wire in the ground as high as you can without bending it back against itself.
#3. Check your hog wire fence often and repair as needed.
The most common problem with wild hog fences. That they are ripped out or chewed through by feral hogs or deer. There is a wide selection of hog fence repair kits available for sale. Also you can find more information on those at our page.
If the damage is recent and there are still some pieces of your fence left standing. You may need to replace the entire line of fencing. Most hog fences will have a manufacturer’s warranty against chewing. So if your fence has been ripped through, call the manufacturer or visit their website for instructions on how to claim for repairs.
If you have a hog wire fence that is already damaged and in need of repair, you have several options to choose from.
One option is to install a lightweight hog wire panel fence around the existing fence, this will help reinforce the existing fence and keep out wild hogs. Another option is to replace the entire line of fencing using hog wire panels. This will make your fence stronger and more difficult for wild hogs or other animals to destroy in the future.
The key to success with this hog fence design is to use high quality supplies and install them properly. If you do that, your hog wire fence should cost about $5 per linear foot, or about $500 for a 100 linear foot fence.
