Building A Simple Fence
We had held off on building a fence when we first moved in because Drew and I had plans for a certain style of fence. The cost of the fence we wanted was more than our budget would allow at the time. However, between the neighborhood dogs and the birds wandering into our neighbors’ yards we knew we needed a short term (or long term, who knows) solution. Building a simple fence was the quickest way to contain the animals.
We kept it very basic by using welded wire fencing and t-posts. We didn’t have much on hand for this project. Once we realized we were going to have goats we kept a look out for any of the supplies. We came upon some welded wire on Craigslist, and this is all we had on hand when we started the fence. These were roughly twenty-five feet long by three feet high. Since we were going to need more fencing, Drew and I measured the part of the yard we intended to fence, about 300 feet give or take. Each roll of fence was three feet tall by fifty foot long, and we bought several t-post, t-post clips and a t-post driver. I believe we only ended up buying another four rolls and had some left over.
We started at the side yard, we figured since the birds wandered into the neighbor’s yard more than anywhere, we would start there. Our neighbor behind us has a chain link fence around their back yard. The first t-post was placed by the corner of their fence. We then placed several t-posts along the side yard about six feet apart. When we had four or five t-posts in the ground we would roll out the fence and use the t-post clips to secure the fence to the t-posts. Then we would drive more t-posts and continue rolling out fence as we went.
Once we made it to the front corner of the side yard, Drew and I had to come up with a way to reinforce the corner posts so they would stay upright and keep tension on both sides of the fence. After some research we had a plan. We put a t-post about three feet away from the corner post and one t-post in the ground at an angle. Using the hole at the top of the t-posts we secured them together with a nut and bolt. This didn’t seem to be needed after all, when we added the goat fencing, we used some of these t-posts for it instead and the corners are holding up fine.
The fence started working at keeping the birds in our yard as soon as we had the first section done. It was kind of comical, the birds would start wandering towards the fence and then walk along it or away from it. Sometimes they were pretty close to the open end of the fence, wouldn’t notice and just ventured back to our yard. Unfortunately, the birds still fly over it from time to time, but it is only one or two birds. The grass is greener on the other side, you know, or maybe there are tastier bugs? Anyway, once we had all the fences done on the side yard and front yard, we went to the other end of our neighbor’s fence and started the last section of the fence.
Again, we put a t-post at the corner of the neighbor’s chain link fence and went out about ten feet to make a corner then up to the house. This part didn’t take long at all then we started making the front gate. It is roughly eight feet wide by three feet tall and made from wood we had laying around and hardware cloth. Next, we decided to add a gate to the back yard so we wouldn’t have to walk all the way around to get to the other side of our yard. This gate is much smaller at around four feet wide by three feet tall. Overall, this fence has served its purpose. We did buy landscape stakes to secure the fence more, but we haven’t gotten around to putting them in everywhere, maybe one day… The back fence is in need of an upgrade, and we have had to “patch” the corner where our fence meets the neighbor’s fence because Marty found a way to wiggle out through a gap. If possible, try to find t-posts and welded wire fence on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist or locally. If not, buying these from a big box store won’t necessarily break the bank.
