Building a Sheep Fence

Below you will find a step by step guide on building a sheep fence with different methods.

T POSTS

• Experience Required: Medium
• Tools Required: Protective gloves, Tape measure, Spade or hole digger, Level, Pliers, Bolt cutter, Fence stretcher
• Materials Required: T Posts, Reinforcement strut, Stock fencing, Wire ties, Concrete

Step 1) Planning the Line

• Plan your boundary line, including gate locations, and remove any obstacles along the route.
• Mark post locations and how far apart should fence posts be for sheep, spacing them 2-3 meters apart.

 

Step 2) Dig Post Holes

• Dig post holes 50cm deep into the ground.

Step 3) Set Posts in Concrete

• Position the posts and set them in concrete.
• Check each post with a level to ensure they are straight and all facing the same direction before the concrete sets.

Step 4) Install Reinforcement Struts

• Position the reinforcement strut so its hole aligns with the second hole down on the post.
• Install the struts on all end and corner posts.

Step 5) Attach to First Post

• Attach the wire to the first post using wire ties through the pre-drilled holes.

Step 6) Unroll and Tighten

• Roll out the wire, then use a stretcher to tighten it between the end posts.

Step 7) Attach to End Post

• Trim any extra wire with a bolt cutter, attach it to the post as before, and then release the tension.

Step 8) Attach to Middle Poles

• Finally, attach the wire to the middle poles using wire ties to complete the installation.

VIDEO

WOODEN POSTS

• Experience Required: Medium
• Tools Required: Protective gloves, Tape measure, Spade or hole digger, Level, Pliers, Bolt cutter, Fence stretcher
• Materials Required: Wooden posts, Stock fencing, Staples, Gravel

Step 1) Plan & Measure

• When building a sheep fence, plan your line, including gate locations, and remove any obstacles.
• Measure and mark post locations, spacing them 2-3 meters apart.

Step 2) Dig Post Holes

• Dig holes deep enough to set the posts with one-third of their height in the ground.

Step 3) Set Posts In

• Position the posts, add gravel at the base, and use a level to ensure they are straight.

Step 4) Install Braces

• Install braces on all end and corner posts.
• For detailed instructions on post bracing, see our How to Brace a Fence Post blog.

Step 5) Secure to First Post

• Firstly, cut the vertical wires at the first post.
• Then wrap the horizontal wires tightly around the corner post and secure them with knots.

Step 6) Unroll and Pull It Tight

• Once the starting point is secured, roll out the wire along the line toward the end post, maintaining tension between the posts.

Step 7) Secure to End Post

• Trim any excess wire netting, then secure the wire to the end post using the same wrapping technique as before.

Step 8) Secure with Staples

• Once the wire is taut, fasten it to each post using staples.

Step 9) Barbed Wire at the Top

• In the process of how to keep sheep in a fence, you can optionally add a barbed wire along the top.

VIDEO

Do’s and Don’ts

Do

• Plan gate locations early.
• Use corner posts at every change of direction, and build them the same as end posts.
• If using wooden posts, choose treated wood for better durability.
• Run the wire on the inside of the posts so animals push against the posts, not the wire.
• Use a fence stretcher and apply steady, even tension.

Don’t

• Ignore the terrain, as slopes and dips affect post spacing and wire tension.
• Skip bracing, because the tension will weaken and eventually collapse the fence over time.

Tips & Tricks on Building a Sheep Fence

• The fence should be at least 1 meter high from ground level to stop sheep from jumping over.
• Add an electric wire to improve effectiveness.
• Build the corner and end posts first, as the rest of the fence depends on them.
• Walk along the line and mark the post spacing before digging or driving posts.
• Do not fully tension the wire in one go; instead, tighten it gradually by tensioning, allowing it to settle, and then re-tensioning.
• You can combine wooden posts and T posts by using wooden posts for corners and ends, and T posts for intermediate posts.

FURTHER READING

• How to Install Chain Link Fence with T Posts – Step by step instructions for T post and chain link installation.
• How To Install T Post Fence – A guide on how to install T posts.
• How to Brace a Fence Post – Learn how to brace wooden posts.