fence quandary

[RoyalHillsLLC]

I cannot decide what I want to do. I have a large tree farm with about 5 acres mostly cleared (I leave occasional shrubs and trees for cover for the birds). I am debating whether I should fence off several acres, including my house, and make kind of a farm setting or just fence off about an acre for a backyard.
I currently have around 10 chickens, 5 geese, and 5 ducks. I freerange them, with occasional coyote issues and raccoon issues being the main source of problems. Neighbors do have dogs, but they are at least a quarter mile away.
We are thinking about fencing mainly so we can get a dog to help chase predators away. I am even debating getting a guard dog like a Pyrenees or Anatolian.
Do y'all think I would end up more satisfied with a 48" net wire fence with a strand of wire on top (typical farm fencing) or going with something a little higher (60 or 72") and just making it a backyard fence? cost is the reason for not going 72" on several acres, or chainlink either.
Suggestions based on experience will be appreciated.

 

[VaM715]

I have done it all in fencing. Chain link, woven wire, barbed wire, high tensile. It all has it's purpose. In my opinion,for cattle, woven wire and a hot wire are the best. Chain link is great for pets and kids. The best for general small scale farming, chickens, goats, pigs, etc. is 60" wire cloth with a hot wire on the outside and inside bottom and another on the top outside just over the wire. Keeps out all the unruly's and predators and keeps your stuff in. If you shop right you can buy the hardware cloth for about $127 per hundred feet here in VA. It can be hard to work with to a degree, but it sure makes a good enclosure.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[sugarbush]

I just set up a woven electric fence for the chickens....I like it so far.

 

[Dustoff79]

I think you would be more satisfied with fencing the five acres. I have a little over 4.2 and have welded wire topped with two strands of smooth wire (helps keep the welded wire from being bent down). I am happy with that. it will not keep out racoons but, will keep the dogs and coyote out if you make sure there are no low spots. TSC has the welded wire at 60" x 100' for around $100. This should last you 20 years. If you do the fencing your most important part is your corner posts (big, braced and deep). Good luck

 

[Sylvie]

Quote:
Is your wire cloth hardware cloth? Did you buy it at a national known store?