Cattle panels are rigid, welded wire fence panels made from horizontal and vertical strands of galvanized wire, welded at each intersection. They are sometimes called feedlot panels or hog panels.
Cattle panels come in various sizes, but the most common dimensions are 50” tall by 16’ long. Panels are also available in different lengths and mesh size patterns.
Because they are made from rigid galvanized wire, cattle panels can support themselves. This makes setup and installation quick and easy. You can create a paddock or pen with several hundred feet of perimeter in just one day.
Cattle panels work well for temporary fencing solutions. Their lightweight design makes them simple to set up, remove, or relocate. When not in use, they stack neatly and flat. Additionally, they are durable enough for long-term fencing projects or permanent cattle fence installations.
Most manufacturers use heavy-gauge galvanized wire, with common wire diameters ranging from 4 to 6 gauge.
Posts for Cattle Panels
There are two popular types of posts for supporting cattle panels: metal T-posts (or star pickets) and wood posts. The type of post you choose depends on the intended purpose of your fence.
T-posts are easy to install. You can simply drive them into the ground, making it quick to set up several hundred feet in a day. Their removability makes them the ideal choice for temporary fencing.
Wood posts, on the other hand, require a tractor or skid steer with a post driver to install. For added stability, you can also set them in concrete.
Because of their durability, wood posts are best suited for permanent corral fence enclosures. They are the go-to option when you need a fence that will stay in place for a long time.
Cattle Panel Fence Installation
As mentioned earlier, assembling and installing a cattle panel fence is straightforward. The main components are the posts and panels, along with a method for attaching the panels to the posts.
One advantage of using rigid wire panels is that post spacing is less critical compared to other types of cattle fences. Panels can overlap if needed or land directly on the center of the posts, depending on their length.
The hardest part of building a cattle panel fence is installing the posts. Once the posts are in place, attaching the panels to the posts and connecting the panels to each other is the easy part.
Connecting Cattle Panels Together
When panels are installed without overlapping, connecting the ends of each panel together will add strength. The strength of the connection depends on what you’re containing with the panels.
For smaller animals, simply tying the panels together with wire or using a hog ring works well. You can also find commercially fabricated clips.
For larger animals, like cattle, wire panel hinges provide the best strength. A wire panel hinge is a strand of wire that weaves two panels together, offering both ease of installation and durability.
When panels overlap, tying them with wire or using hog rings is effective. For panels overlapping on the post, the fastener used to attach the panel to the post will provide added security.
Attaching Cattle Panels to Posts
To keep the panels from falling over, it’s important to attach them securely to posts. There are several methods, but we’ll focus on just a couple for simplicity.
When using a metal T-Post, general wire or a T-Post fence clip is a reliable option. If strength isn’t a major concern, a plastic zip tie can also be used.
For attaching cattle fence panels to wood posts, there are a few options. Similar to metal T-Posts, tying the panel to the post with wire works well. A long horseshoe nail or fence staple is also effective.
Additionally, there are fasteners designed specifically for attaching rigid wire fence panels to wood posts. These fasteners feature a wood screw with a special bracket that securely grips the wire strands of the panel, ensuring a strong connection.
Other Cattle Panels Fence Ideas
People have become quite creative with their use of cattle panel fencing. Originally designed for farmers and ranchers to contain cattle, today, these panels serve many purposes.
Gardeners use them in a variety of ways. From simple trellises and plant baskets to laying them on the ground as grid work for evenly spaced planting.
Homeowners also have countless ideas for incorporating cattle panels into residential fence applications. Wood and wire fence designs are especially popular. The rigid wire panels make an excellent infill between the wooden framework of these types of fences.
Additionally, some even use cattle panels to build makeshift deer hunting blinds. By bending the panels to create a framework, hunters can blend the blind with the natural cover in their area, helping it stay concealed.
Other Types of Rigid Wire Fence Panels
Cattle panels aren’t the only type of rigid wire panel available. Taller panels are designed specifically for containing horses, while shorter panels are ideal for containing hogs and pigs.
You can also find panels with tighter mesh spacings, making them suitable for containing smaller farm animals. Additionally, people use these panels to create temporary dog fences, offering a flexible solution for pet containment.
Conclusion
Cattle panels are a versatile and affordable solution for fencing large pastures or creating temporary corrals. Originally designed for farm and ranch use, their practical design and functionality have made their way into other industries and home projects.
With easy installation, anyone can set up a cattle panel fence without needing special tools or construction expertise. This simplicity makes them a popular choice for everything from expansive ranches to small urban farms and gardens.
To explore other types of farm and cattle fences, check out our article on Wood Farm Fence Designs and Styles.
