Farm fences in Ontario are a great way to protect your livestock from escaping and from intruding pests and predators. Choose quality and craftsmanship. Create the best farm fence today to protect your livestock or family with Jay Fencing.
Farm Fencing By-Laws
Ensure your property is correctly zoned and verify that it is legal for you to set up a farm fence before doing so. Every jurisdiction prevents barbed wire and electrical currents from being run through installed fences on properties unless for farming and agricultural uses.
See here for an extensive listing of fencing bylaws to ensure you stay compliant and penalty-free, or reach out to our experienced team. The following cities have noted restrictions on the use of barbed wires or electric fences in certain zones in Ontario:
It is appropriate to use barbed wire or electrical fencing in these jurisdictions for protection in commercial and industrial areas:
Please note that the list is not exhaustive and it is recommended that you refer to your own jurisdiction’s bylaws.
Ontario is a rich and fertile land for agriculture as presented by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing in their reports:
Types of Farm Fences
Here are the top choices in farm fencing materials to help you protect your animals and crops from unwanted visitors and pests.
Wire Fences
Wire fences include the following options and have proven effective over many decades in the modern farming and agricultural industry.
Barbed Wire
This type of fencing is great for keeping birds from resting on your fence and disrupting your crops or livestock. It further discourages predators from going over your fence to hurt or injure your animals. Barbed wire is typically prohibited in Ontario from being used in commercial and residential zones.
Pros: great for containing cattle, sheep, and horses.
Cons: often not used as farm animals can be harmed.
Be sure to check your city’s bylaws to ensure that you are allowed to use barbed wire in your agricultural zone or commercial area.
Smooth wire
Similar to the barbed wire in its material and construction but without the barbs, making it friendlier to animals that are being enclosed.
Pros: low cost material, great for containing horses.
Cons: because it’s less sharp than barbed wire, animals may lean against this material and cause the smooth wire to stretch or sag.
Farm Fence Start to Finish with Jay Fencing
“Thanks so much for the great work! After our fence was blown over in winds on Sunday, I called Jay Fencing on Monday. I was impressed that Kelly was able to see us that day. We had great advice, posts in by Thursday and a completed fence by Saturday. It looks fantastic and in timely fashion as well. I’m sure the neighbours appreciate it too. The workmanship is great and the service was top notch. I don’t say that often these days. Jay Fencing earned it! Thank you.”
-Rocky
High tensible(HT) wire
A rigid, springy steel material that outperforms mild steel for durability.
Pros: isn’t stretched by pressure animals or trees.
Cons: because of its rigid material, it may be fatal for animals to get stuck in or collide with this type of fencing.
Woven wire
Characterized by the knots that interconnect each woven wire, this type of fencing is great for keeping non-predatory animals on your ranch or farm.
Pros: Great at keeping horses, ponies, sheep, pigs, and goats safe. Great inexpensive material to use to create an expansive perimeter that allows the animals to roam.
Cons: Watch out for spot welded fences that may be of lower durability and can break, causing sharp edges to be exposed and pose a risk to the health of the animals.
Deer fence (anti-jumping)
This fence is great at keeping animals that are known to leap out of their pens or enclosures. Typically, it comes in woven wire that spans 2 metres overall in height.
Pros: great at keeping in goats, deer, or any other animals that can leap.
Cons: not as durable against collisions from more aggressive animals.
Electric Fence
An effective way to create a perimeter that provides feedback to the animals that are enclosed. Over time it is expected that animals will stay away from fences because of the uncomfortable electric shock provided.
Pros: Keeps predators and pests from bothering your animals. It also reinforces animal behaviour, encouraging them to stay away from the perimeters.
Cons: It requires the use of electricity, meaning operation costs will be more than when using a traditional fence, some animal owners may be sensitive to this approach.
*Refer to city fencing bylaws in Ontario to ensure your jurisdiction permits use of electrical currents in fences
Synthetic Fences
A new entrant to the agricultural industry are the synthetic fences that are incorporate varieties like vinyl coated wire, graphite to enable electric currents, and vinyl rail (enclosed wiring).
Pros: relatively inexpensive, there are large assortments of colours, and it is considered effective at keeping out other animals.
Cons: industry experts are still debating whether synthetic fences are more durable or perform better than the other options.
Cultivate Your Work With Farm Fence Installation
Avoiding common challenges and pitfalls is easy when you choose an experienced fence installer to complete the project for you! Jay Fencing has the experience and the know-how to get the job done right. With over 20 years of experience delivering quality service to our clients, we will make sure you don’t have to experience the difficulties of DIY fence installation.
At Jay Fencing, our professional team has all the proper tools, an understanding of weather and soil conditions, and the ability to work through any issue that may arise during the installation process. You can rely on the knowledge and experience of Jay Fencing. Feel confident that we will recommend only the products or services that meet your specific needs and budget.
At Jay Fencing, we value:
- Top notch customer service
- Providing the highest quality products and services available
- Being a name that you can trust
- Having experienced and hardworking staff
Choosing to install a new fence, whether on your residential, agricultural, or commercial property, is a big decision. Jay Fencing will help guide you through the entire process and help you to plan the ideal fencing solution to suit you and your needs, all at the very best value.
Images Courtesy of:
Jiron from Wikipedia
Woven wire, synthetic, and electric fence images by Montanabw
Deer fence image by Lisa Burke