There are several types of paddock fencing including chain link, barbed wire, electric fences and more.

Paddock and pasture fencing is often used for enclosures for horses or cattle. In Australia, the cost of paddock fencing varies between $5 and $25 a metre. The type of fencing you use has a major impact on the cost. If you are choosing to use post and rail fencing, or concrete posts, the cost will be significantly cheaper than using electric fencing, for example. The type of farm fencing chosen is also dependent on the materials readily available in your area. You need to consider your purchase of posts, wire/netting, gates and labour costs when pricing out your new paddock fence. If you wish to include electric fencing, this will add an additional cost to your initial installation as well as additional ongoing maintenance costs such as replacing the batteries in the solar charger every year and periodically replacing worn-out wires and poles.

How much does a farm fence cost?

Many factors go into the cost of farm fencing. However, the main factors are materials and labour costs. Materials for farm fences range from wood, concrete, plastic or steel posts. You will require end posts, steel strainer assemblies and intermediate posts.

The paling can be made from wood. Alternatively, you can use barbed wire, steel or cooper for electric fences. If the farm fence posts style is customised, the cost of the new fence will be higher.

What materials will I need to build a paddock fence?

  • Number of metres needed (one metre is $5 to $20).

  • Length of each post and rail. Longer rails can lead to an extra cost.

  • Number of gates required. Depending on your fence design, and land size, more gates may be required.

  • Type of wire/netting needed. Wire fences can be made from smooth, barbed, meshed or woven wire. Different types of wires will have different costs.

  • The number of poles you wish to have for your paddock fencing. The space between one post to the next will either increase or reduce the number required.

  • If you require a custom boundary fence, this will increase the cost so it is important to consider these factors at the start before you begin. For instance, a rail fence will be easier and cheaper than a paling fence.

How do I calculate the average cost for labour?

  • Different fences will take varying times to put up. For instance, wood fences will take less time than an electric fence or concrete posts and wires.

  • Who would be carrying out the work (i.e whether or not you are doing it yourself).

  • The number of workers required.

What is the cheapest livestock fence?

A livestock fence can be any number of things that are designed to contain livestock, other or feral animals. It is, however, generally accepted that the cheapest livestock fence will be little more than some posts and a piece of wire. One common inexpensive option is barbed wire fencing. It's cheap and easy to transport and install, although it can also be dangerous for animals and humans alike.

Another form of inexpensive farm fencing is electric wire. These do not have to be kept up as rigorously as other forms of fencing since they provide a constant warning signal to domestic animals rather than being intrinsically effective at preventing entry. As another benefit of electric fencing, they are also more affordable to construct.

PVC fences are also affordable. However, plastic is not a sturdy material for fences and is not ideal for big animals like cattle and horses. Steel posts are recommended for rural fences in areas where there is a high fire risk. Steel posts and farm fences are not cheap though.

How much does rural fencing cost per metre?

A rural fence costs between $5 and 25 per metre depending on the materials used and what you want from it. You can have rural fences with barbed wire, plain wire, electric wires, mesh metal panels, or plain wooden fences. The appropriate fence will depend on its purpose, whether it's a boundary fence or an internal fence. Boundary fences made of wood are a common rural fence option. They are affordable, are easy to install without many skills.

What is the average cost of fencing for an acre?

The cost of average fencing for one acre can vary depending on the material and design. An acre is 4,046 meters long. The cost of fencing an acre of land depends on the type of material used. Wire fences may cost as little as $10,000 and up to $100,000. Notably, though, the fencing cost per metre will increase for rugged terrain. Some soils can be hard to work with when setting out the posts. Clay soils are better than sandy soils

Is installing paddock fencing expensive?

Paying a professional to install a paddock or rural fence can be expensive. The cost depends on the type of material used, where you want it built and how many panels you want to be installed. For example, chain link fencing has an average installation cost of $5 to $10 per foot, while horseshoe wire can be anywhere from $2 to $18 per foot.

What is the best paddock fencing for livestock?

There are several types of paddock fencing, including chain link, barbed wire, electric fences and more. Chain link is easy to install and maintain but can be pricey. It also cannot keep in livestock that will jump it or try to climb it. Electric fencing is effective at containing animals but requires regular maintenance on the wires and batteries. Barbed wire can hurt animals if they get caught up in it, so you need to make sure any barbed wire used has small spiky ends. This kind of fence is often more expensive than others due to the materials needed.

How do you install paddock fencing?

Paddock fencing is generally used for containing animals such as horses. It can also be used in place of traditional fences and may be more effective than wire fencing at containing livestock. The panels do not need any particular installation, although they must be attached to a post on each corner and one in the middle to create a stable structure.

How long does paddock fencing last?

The life expectancy of paddock fencing varies depending on the materials used to construct it. Some are expected to last for up to 20 years, while others may only last 5 years or less before being replaced.

Why do you need paddock fencing?

Paddock fencing is used to contain livestock and usually consists of small, portable panels that are attached to create a stable structure. It can be moved around the paddock as needed and does not require any special installation beyond attaching it to posts on each corner and one in the middle. Fences like these may be more efficient than wire fencing at containing horses due to this kind of built-in containment device.

What is high tensile wire fencing?

High tensile wire fences consist of two kinds of wires: high-tensile wire and the traditional fence wire. The high-tensile wire is strong and durable, while the traditional wire will break when pulled on. High tensile wire fencing is an inexpensive rural fencing way to contain livestock.

What fencing is best for horses?

Electric fences are ideal but do not provide much containment. Barbed wire may hurt horses or other animals if they get caught up in it. Chain links provide better containment than other materials.

How much does horse fencing cost?

Horse fencing costs can vary greatly and prices depend on the materials used. Electric fences are inexpensive. Woven wire can be expensive. Chain link and metal pipes are some of the more expensive options. A 3-rail vinyl horse fence is around $35 per metre. Talk to a licensed professional for an estimate for your rural fencing project.

What is high voltage electric fencing?

High voltage electric fencing uses electricity to contain livestock and consists of two wires: one hot wire that creates an energised fence for containing animals and another ground wire that protects the energised fence from grounding out due to weather conditions or animal interference. The power source supplies 12 V DC, which is sufficient to shock an animal but not enough to hurt it. It only takes a few milliseconds for the current to flow through an animal and shock them, causing them to flinch and move away from the fence line.

For more information on paddock and livestock fencing, take a look at Local Land Services from the NSW Government.