What Is Hog Fence?
It doesn’t seem like something we’d need to worry about in the 21st century, but there’s a growing feral hog problem in many parts of the world.
Wild pigs in these places have very few natural predators, and they breed quickly. The result is packs of highly destructive animals that can cause a lot of damage to property and injure people and pets. A hog fence is one way to keep the problem off your property. What is a hog fence, how is it made, and how can you get one? Let’s find out.
What Is Hog Fence?
Hog fence is any type of fence that is designed to keep feral hogs out of a property. However, because these animals are strong and quite intelligent, those fences usually need to be stronger than a typical farm fence.
Hog fences can be ordinary mesh wire fencing, or it could have some kind of electric fencing included in the design. Electric fences that are nonlethal are a good way to keep animals like hogs and even bears out of areas they should not be. So, if you have a real problem with feral hogs in your area, this might be something to keep in mind.
Electric Hog Fence
If you choose to use an electric hog fence to keep feral hogs out of your property, you probably want to have 5 or six strands about 8 inches apart. If you have mains power near the start of the fence line, you can use a plug-in energizer, but if you need to fence a more remote area, one of the many solar-powered electric fence energizers on the market is a great alternative.
Fixed Knot Hog Proof Fencing
Companies that manufacture fixed knot game fences may also have special products that are designed for hogs. These are usually made from high tensile steel, with vertical wires at 6-inch or even 3-inch centers rather than 12, and they usually have smaller mesh apertures or smaller apertures near the ground with larger graduated spaces above.
How High Does Hog Fence Need to Be?
The good news is that as far as wildlife goes, hogs aren’t the world’s best jumpers! So usually, hog fences are about 48 inches or four feet tall. These fences are designed to be sturdy because hogs tend to use brute force rather than acrobatic jumps like deer and some other wildlife to get past fences!
Hog Fence Posts
The type of fence post you choose for your hog fence will depend a lot on what you plan to install.
You could use treated wood posts, particularly pointed ones if you plan to pound your posts instead of digging and pouring concrete.
Steel posts can also work, although you want to have a sturdier post for this type of fence.
Who Installs Hog Fence?
Hog fences and other game fences aren’t usually something your typical residential fence installer will be able to install for you.
It’s best to look for a company that specializes in wildlife or agricultural fences. Some commercial fence companies might also be able to help.
Given how destructive feral hogs can be, if you’re not completely sure that you can build this fence to the required sturdiness yourself, avoid this as a DIY fence project! Whatever you save on the fence installation could be wiped out if these little piggies get through your handiwork!
