Pasture fence
A fence is a fence , the animals prevents the pasture to leave independently. Pasture fences can be made of various materials ( metal , plastic or wood ) and can also be designed as an electric fence . Strict animal welfare requirements apply to pasture fences .
Fixed fences
Wood
Wooden fences are used to limit both horse and cattle pastures. Robust types of wood such as oak or robinia are used for the posts . Softwood posts , such as spruce and pine, are cheaper, but are less durable.
The crossbars are mostly made of round or half- round timber - often made of spruce - and are attached to the inside of the posts. So they can resist animals that might run into it.
The wooden fence can be supplemented with electric wire on the inside to prevent the animals from gnawing or rubbing on the fence.
plastic
Plastic fences made of PVC ( polyvinyl chloride ) do not rot and are easier to care for than wooden fences. Since plastics contain plasticizers, they also age. To some extent, recycled PVC used. It is set up like a wooden fence; electric wire can also be used here.
metal
Metal fences also require less maintenance than wooden fences. The generally hot-dip galvanized material does not rot. Not all designs are equally suitable as pasture fences, as they can pose a threat to both the various pasture and wild animals .
- Straight wire
Fences made of straight wire are unsuitable for horse pastures, as horses as escape animals run into the fence at high speed and can injure themselves. For cattle , however, smooth wire fences are not a problem.
- Barbed Wire
Barbed wire fences pose a great risk of injury to all grazing animals because of the tips.
Such fences should not be erected along roads and forest edges . When fleeing from danger in the protective forest, wild animals can also overlook the fence and injure themselves.
- Node grid
Knotted mesh fences, also known as “sheep fences”, are mainly used to fence sheep and goat pastures and also keep dogs from poaching . Knot mesh fences are only partially suitable for horse pastures, as the animals can get caught in the net with their hooves . In some federal states, they are considered to be contrary to animal welfare and are therefore not permitted.
Knot mesh fences are also set up along highways to prevent accidents involving large wild animals. Here, too, the fence can be a danger, as smaller animals get caught in the mesh and cannot break free.
Set in metal fence
Smooth wire fence
Barbed wire fence
Lattice grid fence
Movable fences
Movable or mobile fences are only erected for a certain period of time. They are mostly used in extensive sheep farming or seasonal grazing for horses, cattle, poultry , sheep and goats. Movable fences are used when changing pastures or when dividing a portion of pasture .
The fence material used depends on the species. A sheep net is used for sheep and goats. This resembles a knotted mesh fence, but consists of plastic cords with fine metal wires. Significantly closer-meshed grids are used as poultry fences. In cattle, often only a conductive wire is stretched between wooden or plastic posts, which is covered with red and white barrier tape or the like at regular intervals . is provided to make it more noticeable for the animals. In horses, a barbed wire or knotted mesh fence is against animal protection. Instead, white or colored broadband is common, as this is more visible to the animals and, in an emergency, tears should an animal get caught in it.
Electric fences
Either wire or stranded wire is used as the electrical conductor of an electric fence .
The wire material is stainless steel , copper or aluminum . Pasture fence wires are mainly suitable for permanent fences because they break easily.
Litz wires are offered in different widths as electric fence wire, pasture fence rope or pasture fence tape (also broadband pasture fence). The stainless steel or copper conductors are interwoven with white or colored plastic, which increases durability and visibility for grazing animals.
The conductors are tensioned with the help of insulators made of plastic, ceramic or glass , which are attached to the fence posts.
The power is supplied by an electric fence device that is operated with a battery or a permanent power connection.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d Recommendations for horse pastures of the North Rhine-Westphalia Chamber of Agriculture , accessed on December 6, 2015.
- ↑ a b Leaflet of Swiss Animal Welfare. PDF, accessed December 6, 2015.
- ↑ LAZBW information sheet, PDF, accessed on December 6, 2015.
- ↑ Animal-friendly fencing - recommendations for a safe and animal welfare-compliant pasture fence. Environment Ministry Schleswig-Hohnstein, accessed on May 22, 2019
- ↑ Guidelines of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture for the assessment of horse keeping. PDF p. 10, accessed on December 6, 2015.