Posted By: TxAg
Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/20/14 09:40 PM
I built pens about three years ago with ten 34" hog panels and 3 T-posts per panel. They have worked fine until recently when the grass lease guy quit feeding cubes and the cows got hungry. Now, I've got a bull with a taste for protein who is wrecking the pens. He's jumping the panels at first, then busting the gates. So, I've got to do something different. I tried running a strand of barbed wire around the top of the pen, but that didn't stop him. I figure I have three options:
a) Replace the hog panels with cattle panels. This may stop him, or he may bull-doze these too.
b) Scrap the panels and build a 3-strand barbed wire fence all the way around. This will be tough as the ground is lots of granite, tough to drive T-posts deep enough for a 50" fence.
c) Build a single-strand hot wire fence (40" high) that's larger in diameter around the existing pen, hoping the deer will go under it.
I'm leaning towards option C as it doesn't require driving as many posts (will still have to sink a couple grounding rods). But, I'm worried that it might deter the deer if they get zapped.
What do y'all think? Anybody have any experience with deer and electric fence?
Posted By: landsurveyor
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/20/14 09:56 PM
You are in for a battle until he starts feeding again no matter which option you choose
I'd try the cattle panels first, imo. I don't know if you can manage it, but cattle don't like to test something they can see very well. You might try running a 1x4 board all the way around the pen at the top of the new cattle panels and see if that helps deter him.
Good luck, as the other posters said, if he is really determined it's going to be hard to beat him.
Posted By: dfabilene
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/20/14 10:14 PM
What about putting the hot wire above the hog panels on the same t-posts. You could put them 12" above the top of the panel. Deer could still jump over.
Posted By: PMK
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/20/14 11:02 PM
my dad had a jumping bull that could clear a 7 strand barbed wire fence but he was after the lady cattle in the next pasture... once they figure out how to get in, they will be very hard to keep out.
Maybe go to the 50" tall cattle panels leaving the hog panels in place for rigidity but cut a few 2 foot wide notches out down to the hog panel height. Deer can still jump in but bull won't fit... that might deter him enough.
Posted By: Slow Drifter
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/20/14 11:03 PM
I'd mount the hotwire to the top two rungs of the panels. You'll need standoffs and a few other things. Go to any ag supply store and tell them what you're doing. Ask about standoffs. They'll know what you need and hook you up. Don't forget grounding rod and clamp, and pieces of heavier insulated wire to go from the energizer to the ground rod and hotwire. You'll need a 2-mile charger to keep a hungry bull out. I've kept some very ornery and determined bulls contained in relatively small paddocks with a 2-mile solar energizer. Good luck!
edited to add: If you have an old garden hose that's been run over by a lawn mower bring it with you, or at least long pieces of it. Anywhere the new hotwire gets too close and arcs against the panels, place a piece of garden hose. You can cut it to length, slit it up one side, and usually get it on there without getting bit by the fence. You might also consider a simple cutoff switch between the energizer and the hotwire, to avoid getting hit by it.
Posted By: swmays
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/20/14 11:47 PM
Cross ties and guardrails...
Posted By: stxranchman
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/21/14 02:47 AM
Electric fence, but at least 30-40' away from existing pen. Get a really good charger and he won't hit but one time. I know your pain. I don't even have a protein feeder in this pen and this SOB is jumping in just to get his picture taken.
And to let me know what he thinks about me not having a protein feeder in the pen.
Posted By: Western
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/21/14 03:19 AM
Good looking bull though STX, corn feed too
Ditto on a good hard shocking charger, with good high tensile, smooth wire and try to only attach at the corners so the wire can flex a bit. a bull can bust the wire up easy if it's guitar string tight. Your ground will be the most critical point, I have had to bury a few horizontal in shallow rocky ground before and it worked.
Posted By: TxAg
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/21/14 03:44 AM
I'd mount the hotwire to the top two rungs of the panels.
I thought about that, and it's a good idea. But, the bull is clearing the panels now no problem. I think he'd still just jump it.
Posted By: TxAg
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/21/14 03:46 AM
Electric fence, but at least 30-40' away from existing pen. Get a really good charger and he won't hit but one time. I know your pain. I don't even have a protein feeder in this pen and this SOB is jumping in just to get his picture taken.
And to let me know what he thinks about me not having a protein feeder in the pen.
That's what I'm thinking. I'll build the fence far outside of the existing pen. I'm thinking 2-strand, with the top strand at 48" and the second strand at 36".
Got a 10-mile solar charger so it should give him a pretty good pop if I can get my grounding rods sunk deep enough.
Posted By: TxAg
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/21/14 03:51 AM
I have had to bury a few horizontal in shallow rocky ground before and it worked.
Good thinking. I'll keep that option in my back pocket.
Posted By: Western
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/21/14 04:05 AM
I have had to bury a few horizontal in shallow rocky ground before and it worked.
Good thinking. I'll keep that option in my back pocket.
Not optimal, but 2 rods sitting on bedrock covered in dirt,, usually sit in enough moisture laden dirt, to make that fence pop!
Posted By: rsalaud
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/21/14 04:36 AM
stxranchman, that cam photo is awesome!
Outer electric fence around the existing pen.
Posted By: ddmm
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/21/14 10:18 PM
stxranchman, that cam photo is awesome!
stxranchman...you need to take an out-of-state'r there to hunt....show him that lump of dump and tell
him there is one big 'ol buck that keeps visiting the pen but no ones got a shot at him yet!!!!
Posted By: Cattleman
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/21/14 10:48 PM
12 gauge with bird shot in the backside a few times works pretty good ! The owner of the bull can go find him in the neighbors after that.
Posted By: fredeboy
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/21/14 11:08 PM
Tie a cow in heat next to the HOT fence and if he mounts her and she sticks her nose to the hot wire Problem Solved. It was the funniest thing I have ever seen!! LOL
Posted By: kyle1974
Re: Bull-proof pen ideas - 11/22/14 12:57 PM
I don't understand why people don't just don't get rid of animals like this.. my neighbor just replaced 2 miles of fence because his bull kept tearing through it. the fence wasn't even that bad... seems like a new bull would have been a hell of a lot cheaper than 2 miles of fence.
kill it/sell it, buy another and move on.