I need to put up an 8 ft deer fence. I would like to rent an auger to make holes 3 ft deep and put 12 ft metal posts into concrete. I would like to use treated lumber but am told that it will only last 10-15 years. The soil here is heavy clay and holds water/stays wet. That is why I am toying w the idea of metal. But I don't know what to use, where to get it or if a metal pole would be strong enough to support it. I plan on putting a 2x2 in square, pvc coated, 16 gauge wire on it. So I don't think that would be terribly heavy? It certainly would not catch any wind resistance at least. It would have shrubs,vines growing on some of it in areas. Does anyone have experience w this type of thing? Please help!
FrillyLily
Ayuh,...... I'd do the 12' P/T 4x4s, 'n pack/ tamp the clay back in, No concrete,.......
I just fixed a fence put in, in 1985 with P/T 4x4s,.....
No rot no where, in clay,....
Matter of fact, the only damage to 'em was at ground level where they get beat up by mower wheels, 'n weedwacker string,.....
I just fixed a fence put in, in 1985 with P/T 4x4s,.....
No rot no where, in clay,....
Matter of fact, the only damage to 'em was at ground level where they get beat up by mower wheels, 'n weedwacker string,.....
Not wanting to put water on your fire, but I have seen deer flat foot my pick up truck from a dead stand still. 8' would probably not prove to be a total deterrent. What are you protecting from the deer?
I have about 400 daylilies and 200 iris and a vegetable garden in the summer. I also have about 40 or so hostas. The deer have came this year and ate everyone of my dayliles. The hostas are not emerged yet, so far the iris are safe, they don't prefer them. Last year I sprayed the plants with fabric softener about once a week and that worked. But this year they ate them as soon as they were an inch tall out of the ground. I have about 10 deer that frequent here. I think an 8 ft fence along with spraying AND electric shock stakes may work. I have some stakes now, but the yard is too large to use only those. Without using concrete I don't think the posts would be stable enough to hold up 8ft of fence. ? Also wouldn't the posts rot faster if they have direct contact with wet clay regularly? I understand that the PT wood years ago was much better at not rotting than the newer formulas used today (?)
https://www.critterfence.com/p/659-Critterfence-Black-Steel-2-Inch-Square-Grid-5-x-100
this is the wire I am thinking of using. Look decent?
this is the wire I am thinking of using. Look decent?
Ayuh,..... The concrete only provides Ballast,......
It don't keep the posts dry in any way, shape or form,.....
With a wire fence ya don't need ballast,.... No wind loads,...
With 12' posts,.... 4' in the ground, 'n 8' above,....
Most people around here that want to keep deer out of their crops use an electric fence. Usually about 6 ft high poles with electrified wired every 10 inches or so. If you have any available, larch or locust poles work great, I just took some out of very wet ground that have been in for about 25 years and no rot at all. 16 gauge sounds too light to me, deer will break right through that, I am not sure what you mean by 2x2 pvc coated?
The wire is 2"x2" square pattern and it is galvanized after welding , and then coated with a pvc coating that is UV resistant. You can usually buy it in green or black. You can see it in the link I posted above.
Yes, I do like the chain link mesh, but was afraid it would add to much weight to the posts. The ground here is kind of soft and we often gets lots of rain, so thought it might lean if the wire were too heavy. ?
Electric fening- I don't know what that would add to my electric bill but one website I looked at said it would increase your electric bill about $30 a month to run. I guess there are way too many variables to know. Would depend on how much you strung out and what your rates are ect. I also have kids around and pets, so I'm not sure I like the idea anyway.
Ok so if I used 4x4 treated posts and put them directly in the ground, w/o concrete would they be strong enough to hold up the weight of the wire w/o leaning? I don't think the auger we are using will make holes more than 3ft deep unfortunately. The dirt here starts to turn into pretty much solid rock at that point. Pretty sure my husband is going to kill me with all the great ideas I've had lately
Yes, I do like the chain link mesh, but was afraid it would add to much weight to the posts. The ground here is kind of soft and we often gets lots of rain, so thought it might lean if the wire were too heavy. ?
Electric fening- I don't know what that would add to my electric bill but one website I looked at said it would increase your electric bill about $30 a month to run. I guess there are way too many variables to know. Would depend on how much you strung out and what your rates are ect. I also have kids around and pets, so I'm not sure I like the idea anyway.
Ok so if I used 4x4 treated posts and put them directly in the ground, w/o concrete would they be strong enough to hold up the weight of the wire w/o leaning? I don't think the auger we are using will make holes more than 3ft deep unfortunately. The dirt here starts to turn into pretty much solid rock at that point. Pretty sure my husband is going to kill me with all the great ideas I've had lately
An interesting point to ponder.
I have a problem with rabbits eating my lilies, tulips, and other succulents.
Might a bunny or a dozen be your culprit.
Have you actually seen Deer eating you plants?
Anyway, a 4X4 Pt Wood post will not fail as you think, if it is buried deep enough, and tamped in tight.
If you worry about it, just use Crushed gravel as your fill in the post hole.
This gives a space for the water to drain away from the wood.
The woven wire fencing is not as heavy as you are thinking, and works well.
My fences are all on 4 inch round PT wood poles, made for fencing.
And stay erect with no problems, I have some Clay soil, Some sandy soil, and neither has rotted a pole in the last 35 years that I know of.
ED
I have a problem with rabbits eating my lilies, tulips, and other succulents.
Might a bunny or a dozen be your culprit.
Have you actually seen Deer eating you plants?
Anyway, a 4X4 Pt Wood post will not fail as you think, if it is buried deep enough, and tamped in tight.
If you worry about it, just use Crushed gravel as your fill in the post hole.
This gives a space for the water to drain away from the wood.
The woven wire fencing is not as heavy as you are thinking, and works well.
My fences are all on 4 inch round PT wood poles, made for fencing.
And stay erect with no problems, I have some Clay soil, Some sandy soil, and neither has rotted a pole in the last 35 years that I know of.
ED
You wouldn’t be fencing in 20 acres with a giant charger.
With a small fence charger, I wouldn’t expect more than $2 a month, even with the high cost of power in California.
In a lower cost state, it could be less than $1.
10 watts x 24 hours per day x 30 days / 1000 = 7.2 kilowatt-hours (kWh)
7.2 kWh x 10 cents = 72 cents
I am in MO, and I have neighbors on the back side of me, so no venison. Plus I don't care for deer meat really. Yes, I have seen deer in my yard. All day, any time of the day, morning noon and night and they just stand there if I go out to run them off. I can get probably w/in 15 ft of them. One had a baby in my yard 2 years ago. We had one get hit by a car in front of our house last summer and the highway patrol came out and shot it because it was not dead. It is a really bad problem here. I do not have rabbits. We have a fox and a lot of owls/hawks here that keep them ate out. I take care in letting out my 5 lb poodle.
Here is a tip that I learned long ago.
Get 2 short ( a foot will do) 2X4 and keep them handy by your back door.
When you see deer eating your plants, step outside holding the 2X4 in each hand. slap them together ( careful here, keep your fingers from between them), this sharp noise sounds like a shot, the deer scatter, and eventually associate your yard with the noise, and stop coming in.
Worked for me when I had a herd in my yard.
I was told years ago that any property owner in Missouri, could kill any deer that was destroying their crops, or yard, without getting fined, as long as they ate the animal.
I know people that would love that kind of arrangement here.
ED
Get 2 short ( a foot will do) 2X4 and keep them handy by your back door.
When you see deer eating your plants, step outside holding the 2X4 in each hand. slap them together ( careful here, keep your fingers from between them), this sharp noise sounds like a shot, the deer scatter, and eventually associate your yard with the noise, and stop coming in.
Worked for me when I had a herd in my yard.
I was told years ago that any property owner in Missouri, could kill any deer that was destroying their crops, or yard, without getting fined, as long as they ate the animal.
I know people that would love that kind of arrangement here.
ED
Yes I have heard that that works. The issues with that is that a dog is a lot of work to care for and money to feed/vet, plus I am allergic to dogs. But that would definitely work I think. My husband would not want to mow around 2 rows of fence though. Our yard is large to begin with so we already have a lot of weedeating/mowing to do.
Sounds like you have a Catch-22 situation. You want the produce, but so do the deer. We have about 10 acres with 53 blueberry bushes, 40 fruit trees, 4 grape arbors, 1 muscadine arbor and a kiwi arbor, so we have wildlife to deal with, too. One of our tricks is to plant a feed plot separate and across the drive from the main yard and keep it up with clover, chicory, turnips, and buckwheat. They tend to stay over there rather than jumping our 4' farmfield fence to get to the goodies. Wife also sprinkles human hair (from cutting my hair) along areas where they would normally enter which is a good deterrent.
You could try setting out a motion-activated sprinkler. It might or might not work but it's a relatively cheap try. Just remember to turn it off before you go out to tend your crop!
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