Dividing pastures and corrals is an important part of managing grazing livestock. Using rail fences is a time-tested method to separate areas for controlled grazing, confine animals, and organize farm workflow. There are many benefits to utilizing simple and versatile rail fencing to portion land on a farm or ranch.
Why Divide Land for Livestock
There are quite a few good reasons why sectioning off pastures makes sense for those raising domesticated animals like horses, cattle, sheep and goats. Here are some top advantages:
- Manage grazing – By splitting a pasture, you can rotate where and when herds feed to prevent overgrazing in one area. This gives grass and plants time to regrow for sustainable long term use.
- Separate animals – Special fencing allows farmers to divide groups by age, size or diet needs. For example, separating rams, ewes and vulnerable newborn lambs.
- Designate space – Specific areas can serve distinct functions like birthing pens, training corrals or privacy fence on concrete zones to contain sick animals.
- Limit access – Sensitive ecosystems require protection from trampling hooves and hungry mouths. Fencing these fragile habitats off limits preserves native vegetation.
As you can see, rail fences help create an orderly system to carry out all kinds of essential ranch activities.
Rail Fencing Offers Advantages Over Other Barriers
Rail fencing has been used for centuries because it’s simple and versatile compared to other types of barriers. What makes rail fences useful across so many different agricultural settings?
Visually open – With spaced wooden rails, animals can still see through to the other side. This helps prevent panicked running compared to metal and wood fence.
Moveable – The posts and rails can be dismantled and reconfigured as needs change over seasons. This adaptability suits the fluid nature of working farms.
Affordable – Basic lumber is an economical, easy-to-source fencing material. And DIY-friendly for farmers wanting to save on building costs.
Low maintenance – Unlike intricate wire fencing, wood rail fencing doesn’t require specialized equipment or know-how to install or sustain.
Keep these advantages in mind when deciding how to divide your own pastures and corrals. Rail fencing offers timeless functionality and flexibility for all types of agricultural endeavors.
Plan Out Rails and Gates
Careful planning is necessary before breaking ground on rail fence building projects. Having an overall layout with expected divisions sketched out will clarify needed quantities of materials and gates.
Here are a few key considerations as you map it out:
Space required – Estimate square footage to enclose for each pasture or corral area based on herd size. Agree on must-have separations between groupings of your livestock.
Gate placement – Where will gated fence openings allow access between each defined area? Gate quantity and width should suit your machinery and stock flow throughout the land.
Terrain challenges – Identify any sloped, wet, rocky or obstructed areas that will be difficult to fence across cleanly. Consider special adjustments.
Future flexibility – Farming is always adapting. Ensure your rail fencing design has capacity to shift along with innovations you implement down the road.
Having these details pre-planned, even roughly, will give helpful guidance during the building phase. Tweak as necessary but start off structured.
Construct Your Fences to Stand the Test of Time
The materials for rail fencing are simple – posts, rails and hardware. But proper construction technique is key to erecting lasting boundaries. Follow these tips for assembling sturdy, long-lasting rail fences:
Dig post holes correctly – Hole width should be about 3 times the post width. Hole depth reaches 3 feet or slightly deeper if soil conditions permit. Add gravel fill for improved stability.
Space posts appropriately – For 4-5 rail fences, set posts between 8-12 feet apart depending on grade changes. More slope means shorter distances between posts. Space evenly.
Allow post tops to protrude – Top of wooden posts should measure about 36″ above ground level once buried. This allows for plentiful attachment of multiple rails.
Level and attach rails – Check that rails will align evenly across posts for best weight distribution. Pre-drill holes to prevent splitting. Consider metal post caps for clean finishes.
As always, tailor materials and assembly to terrain specifics. But follow these structural guidelines as able for professional-quality handiwork.
Enjoy the Benefits of Versatile Rail Fencing
The number of wooden horizontal rails built between posts can vary quite a bit. And serve varying functions depending on livestock types and planned usage of pastures.
Two-rail set-ups provide a basic barrier, typically 42 inches high. Often used for sheep and goats. Can serve as perimeter property lines too.
Four-rail fences supply a visible boundary while still allowing some interaction. Works for cattle in managed grazing rotation set-ups. Also can divide types of stock.
Five-rail, also called Virginia rail fencing, creates a distinctive look alongside roads. The close rail spacing deters pushing through. Useful for high traffic zones.
The possibilities are truly wide open when it comes to utilizing rail fencing on your own land. Creatively work within your ranch’s needs and budget while leveraging this adaptable system.
With smart planning and purposeful divisions, rail fences can optimize land usage across your operation. And provide order that makes daily workings less stressful for both man and beast. Use these guidelines to enhance how your space functions through fencing choices built to enrich pasture environments.
