Wood farm fence is essential for any farm or ranch. It’s commonly used to divide pastures, separate paddocks, and mark property lines.
However, the type of farm you run—and the animals you keep—will determine which style of wood fence works best. Fortunately, there are plenty of designs to choose from.
This guide will walk you through popular wood farm fence styles, the types of lumber typically used, and key installation tips.
Wood Farm Fence Designs
Wood farm fencing comes in a variety of designs, but four styles stand out as the most popular for farms and rural properties.
These include split rail, round rail, post and rail, and crossbuck fences—each offering its own unique look and construction method.
Let’s take a closer look at each style and how it’s built.
Split Rail Wood Farm Fence
plit rail fencing is a classic, rustic style often used on farms and large rural properties. The posts are typically rectangular, though some manufacturers offer posts with one rounded face.
The rails are made from full-length logs that have been split lengthwise. Depending on the part of the log used, the rails may have a rounded face or a diamond shape.
Rails overlap as they pass through holes drilled in the posts. Rail length determines the spacing between posts—10-foot rails are standard, though some manufacturers offer 8-foot options.
Fence height is determined by the number of rails. Most split rail fences are built with 2, 3, or 4 rails, depending on the desired height and use.
Round Rail Wood Farm Fence
Round rail fencing offers a clean, uniform look that’s popular on many farms and ranches. Both the posts and rails are round, giving it a distinctive and polished appearance.
The rails are tapered at each end and fit into holes drilled into the posts. Like split rail fencing, round rail fences typically come in 2, 3, or 4 rail options.
This fence style looks the same from both sides, making it great for properties where appearance matters.
Standard post spacing is 8 feet on center. Shorter sections can be created by cutting the rails and using a special tool to taper the ends for a proper fit.
While round rail fencing isn’t ideal for containing large livestock like cattle, it offers excellent curb appeal and enhances the overall aesthetics of your property.
Post and Rail Wood Farm Fence
Post and rail fencing is the most popular wood farm fence design. It’s the classic barn-style fence you often see on farms and ranches. The layout flows beautifully over long distances and rolling terrain.
Common setups include 2, 3, or 4 horizontal rails. The number of rails, their width, and the spacing between them will determine the overall fence height.
Posts are typically spaced 8 or 10 feet apart. Closer spacing results in a stronger fence, which is ideal for containing larger farm animals.
One common mistake with post and rail fencing is attaching the rails to the outside of the posts. Over time, livestock may lean or rub against the fence, placing pressure on the fasteners. This can cause rails to loosen or fall off, leaving gaps in the fence line.
Attaching the rails to the inside of the posts helps prevent this issue and ensures a more secure, longer-lasting fence.
Crossbuck Wood Farm FenceFence
Crossbuck fencing is a variation of post and rail design, featuring a distinctive “X” in each section. Two diagonal boards attach to the posts and overlap in the center to form the cross.
Proper post spacing is crucial when installing a crossbuck fence. Since the diagonal rails are longer than the horizontal ones, posts should be set slightly closer together than the full length of your horizontal boards.
As a result, you’ll need to cut the horizontal boards to fit the shorter distance between posts.
Like corral fencing, crossbuck fences offer a traditional barn-style look. They’re a popular choice for farms that want both function and rural charm.
Wood Farm Fence Ideas with Wire Fabric
Adding wire fabric to a wood farm fence improves its functionality—especially when containing smaller animals. It also allows you to use fewer rails with wider gaps, while still maintaining security.
Three types of wire fabric pair especially well with wood farm fencing. Let’s take a look at each option.
Welded Wire Fence Fabric
Welded wire fence features horizontal and vertical wires welded together at each intersection. While this design sounds strong, the wire gauge is usually thin—unless you’re using heavier cattle or hog panels.
This makes welded wire the weakest of the three wire options, but also the most affordable. It’s available in galvanized finishes or vinyl-coated versions in black, brown, or green.
The openings in the mesh typically measure 2” x 3” or 2” x 4”.
One downside of welded wire is that it can’t be stretched tightly without risk of breaking. It also doesn’t conform well to uneven or rolling terrain.
Woven Wire Fence Fabric
Woven wire fabric is a popular choice for adding strength to wood farm fencing. It uses heavier gauge strands, making it more durable than welded wire. Woven wire can be stretched tightly and adapts well to uneven terrain.
The mesh is available in a variety of configurations. Options range from large rectangular openings designed to contain livestock to special “No-Climb” mesh that prevents horses’ hooves from getting tangled.
There are also graduated mesh options, where the holes are smaller at the bottom of the fence and gradually get larger as they go higher.
Chain Link Wire Fabric
Chain link wire fabric is commonly used as a mesh backing for post and rail fences. Vinyl coatings are available in green, black, and brown, helping the mesh blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment.
Chain link fabric can be stretched tightly and works well over uneven terrain. It’s available in various gauges, offering a range of strength options to suit different needs.
Types of Lumber for Wood Farm Fence
Several types of lumber can be used to build farm fencing. The design you choose will influence the types of wood available to you.
However, some manufacturers offer only specific lumber options for certain styles. Post and rail wooden cattle fences tend to have the most variety.
Let’s explore the different types of lumber commonly used for wood farm fences.
Split Rail Fence Lumber Types
Split rail fences typically use two types of lumber: pressure-treated pine and cedar. Cedar contains natural oils in its grain, which help it resist the elements and insects.
Pressure-treated pine, on the other hand, is infused with chemicals to prevent rot and decay. This makes treated pine ideal for damp or wet conditions. Cedar, however, is better suited for drier environments.
Round Rail Fence Lumber Types
Round rail wood farm fences are typically made from pressure-treated yellow pine. This type of wood is treated to resist rot and decay, making it suitable for outdoor use.
Post and Rail and Crossbuck Lumber Types
Post and rail and crossbuck fences offer a variety of lumber options. The three most commonly used types are pressure-treated yellow pine, poplar, and oak.
Pressure Treated Yellow Pine Rails
Pressure-treated yellow pine is a popular choice for farm and barn-style fences. It’s strong, readily available, and offers a good lifespan, with most manufacturers guaranteeing it for up to 15 years against rot or decay.
1×6 boards are the standard, but using 2×6 rails adds extra strength. However, pine is a softer wood, and horses tend to chew on the boards. As a result, pressure-treated pine boards can be easily damaged by horses.
Poplar Rails
Poplar is a great option for farmers and ranchers who prefer a wood that’s free from foreign chemicals. It’s stronger than pressure-treated pine, mainly because poplar boards are rough sawn and cut thicker.
While poplar boards are more durable, they’re still susceptible to being chewed on by horses. However, they tend to stay straighter than pine, which can warp over time.
Oak Rails
If you’re looking for the strongest and most reliable wood for a farm fence, oak is the top choice. As a dense hardwood, oak is tough enough to withstand the wear and tear of farm life.
Horses generally avoid chewing on oak boards due to their toughness. However, when oak dries, it can sometimes warp or develop a wavy appearance. Despite this, oak offers exceptional strength and longevity.
A wood farm fence made from oak can last for many years with little to no maintenance.
Gates for Wood Farm Fences
Chances are, you’ll need a gate in your wood farm fence. While each type of wood fence discussed in this article can accommodate a custom gate, I wouldn’t always recommend it.
Wood gates are heavy and, for farms and ranches, often need to be wide. The extra weight places stress on the gate posts, and over time, heavy gates tend to sag—unless they’re steel-framed. Additionally, wood gates can be cumbersome to operate.
For these reasons, we recommend pipe-style farm gates for most pasture fences. They’re affordable, practical, and easy to install. While they may not match the aesthetic of your fence, they’re lightweight, easy to operate, and don’t put significant stress on the hinge posts.
Some pipe gates also come with welded wire mesh, which helps contain smaller animals.
After 30 years of experience, my advice would be to opt for pipe gates.
Conclusion
I hope these wood farm fence design ideas have given you some helpful options to consider. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to farm or pasture fences, and the best style for you will depend on your specific needs.
The task you want your fence to perform will guide your decision. Pricing is another important factor, and the total amount of fencing required will affect the overall cost.
For larger farms and ranches, there are more affordable options. Be sure to check out our articles on cattle panel fences and other wire fence types for additional options.
