You have probably already lost a lamb to a coyote, or you know someone who did. That is the point where fence shopping stops being theoretical and starts being urgent. After comparing dozens of setups across specification sheets, independent reviews, and years of owner feedback, I landed on five options that match how sheep farmers actually work: fixed pasture, tight budget, large operation, first flock, or daily rotation. The 8 ft welded wire in the premium pick handles predator pressure that electric alone might not stop. The 35 in ElectroNet sets up fast if you have never driven a fence post before. No hands-on testing happened here; these picks come from reading what works and what fails in the field.
My Top Picks
| Product | Award | Best for | Why it won | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
High Tensile Electric Fencing | Best Overall | farmers wanting durable all-around protection | Strong balance of toughness, predator blocking, and long-term value | Check price |
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Woven Wire Fencing | Best Budget | budget-minded farmers with large areas | Solid containment at a lower cost per foot than most alternatives | Check price |
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Welded Wire Fencing | Best Premium | large operations needing maximum security | Top-tier durability and predator protection for demanding conditions | Check price |
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ElectroNet® | Best for Beginners | first-time sheep owners | Simple to set up with no prior fencing experience needed | Check price |
| ElectroStop® Plus 10/42/12 Electric Netting | Best Temporary Fencing | rotational grazers and mobile flocks | Lightweight and quick to move between temporary pastures | Check price |
| Product | Height |
|---|---|
| High Tensile Electric Fencing | — |
| Woven Wire Fencing | 48 in |
| Welded Wire Fencing | 96 in |
| ElectroNet® | 35 in |
| ElectroStop® Plus 10/42/12 Electric Netting | 42 in |
Best Overall: High Tensile Electric Fencing
【FITS 2.0MM-3.25MM FENCE WIRE】：Compatible with a wide range of common agricultural fence wires with diameters ranging from 2.0mm to 3.25mm, designed to match 14-11...
Quick Verdict
High tensile electric fencing wins Best Overall for anyone running sheep on a permanent pasture who needs solid predator control without the labor of woven wire. The wire lasts decades and costs less per foot than barbed wire, though you will spend more time on installation than with temporary options. The main downside: this is not a setup you move every season.
Key Specifications
- Durability: 25 years
What It Does Well
- Long service life. High tensile electric fencing can last 25-40 years, so you are not rebuilding fence lines every decade.
- Lower material cost. A permanent 5-strand high tensile system runs about 43% less per foot than 5-strand barbed wire, which matters when you are fencing acreage.
- Predator protection. Independent reviews note it is effective in keeping out common predators, a point where lighter electric options often fail.
- Faster to install than traditional wire. Owner feedback frequently mentions it goes up easier and faster than barbed wire or woven wire, despite the learning curve.
Where It Falls Short
- Installation demands. The setup is more complex than polywire or step-in post systems; plan on a full weekend and probably a neighbor with experience.
- Not for temporary grazing. If you rotate pastures monthly, the permanent posts and tensioning work against you.
- Requires a working energizer. Unlike physical barrier fences, dead batteries or lightning damage mean gaps in protection.
Who It’s For
Buy this if you have a fixed pasture boundary and want a near-permanent solution that stops coyotes and dogs without the weight of woven wire. Skip it if you need flexibility for rotational grazing or want something you can string up in an afternoon with no tools.
How It Compares
Woven wire fencing is the closest runner-up and matches high tensile on predator control and longevity, but independent reviews note it takes longer to install and costs more per foot. Choose woven wire if you want a physical barrier that works even when the power is off; choose high tensile electric if you prioritize lower upfront material cost and faster installation day.
Where to buy: Amazon · kencove.com
Best Budget: Woven Wire Fencing
⚡ HEAVY-DUTY 12-GAUGE HIGH-TENSILE WIRE FENCE: Built from premium 12-gauge high-carbon steel wire, this cattle panel fencing delivers superior tensile strength and impact...
Quick Verdict
Woven wire fencing won our budget pick because it keeps sheep contained and predators out without demanding constant upkeep. It is the right choice if you need a permanent boundary you can install once and mostly forget. The catch: you will spend more time on installation than with a simple board fence, and this is not a weekend-take-down option.
Key Specifications
- Height: 48 in
- Durability: 1 long-lasting
- Installation Complexity: 1 complex
- Maintenance: 1 minimal
- Predator Protection: 1 effective
What It Does Well
- The 48-inch height matches what sheep actually need; they stay put without expensive extras.
- Predator protection is built in, so you are not laying out more money for secondary defenses later.
- It lasts for years with basic care, which matters when you are fencing acreage, not a corner lot.
- Maintenance stays minimal compared to wood options that rot, warp, or need repainting.
Where It Falls Short
- Installation is complex and needs proper tensioning; independent reviews note this trips up first-timers.
- It is not designed for temporary setups, so rotational grazers or renters should look elsewhere.
Who It’s For
Buy this if you own your pasture and want a one-time permanent solution that protects your flock. Skip it if you need flexibility or plan to move your fence line seasonally.
How It Compares
The runner-up, 3-Board Fence with Welded Wire, costs less upfront and goes in faster, but it does not match woven wire’s predator protection. That makes the board option better for dog runs or areas where coyotes are not a concern. Choose woven wire when your sheep sleep in fields where predators roam; choose the board fence when containment alone is enough.
Where to buy: redbrand.com · Amazon
Best Premium: Welded Wire Fencing
WELDED WIRE FENCE ROLL FOR ANIMAL ENCLOSURES AND GARDEN PROTECTION – 2 in. x 4 in. mesh welded wire fence roll designed for animal enclosures, rabbit fencing, chicken runs,...
Quick Verdict
Welded wire fencing wins Best Premium for operations that need physical barrier strength without relying on electric charge. The 8 ft height and galvanized steel construction handle predator pressure that electric lines alone might not stop. The tradeoff is a steeper upfront investment and more upkeep than a hot wire system.
Key Specifications
- Height: 8 ft
What It Does Well
- Predator-grade barrier. The 8 ft height and rigid mesh stop coyotes and dogs cold; no voltage dependency means a downed charger does not leave you exposed.
- Field-adjustable setup. You can cut and modify sections on site instead of shipping material back for factory changes.
- Rust-resistant longevity. The galvanized coating shrinks maintenance to occasional tension checks rather than yearly replacement of corroded sections.
Where It Falls Short
- Higher entry cost than electric. You pay more at purchase for materials and posts.
- More maintenance over time. Posts shift, mesh sags, and vegetation accumulates; electric fencing avoids most of this.
- No psychological deterrent. Animals that contact the wire do not receive a learned shock; they keep testing until the physical barrier fails.
Who It’s For
Buy this if you run a larger flock in open country where coyote pressure is constant and electric reliability is uncertain. Skip it if you move pastures often or need a lightweight temporary boundary; high tensile electric fences travel faster and cost less to relocate.
How It Compares
High tensile electric fencing runs cheaper and installs lighter, but its protection disappears when the charger fails or vegetation shorts the line. I would point budget-minded buyers with reliable power toward electric; I would send anyone sleeping a half-mile from the barn toward welded wire.
Where to buy: Amazon · agrisupply.com
Best for Beginners: ElectroNet®
ElectroNet is an electrifiable, prefabricated portable mesh that arrives at your door as a complete fence. Posts are preinstalled at set intervals. Strong plastic struts...
Quick Verdict
I picked ElectroNet® for beginners because the setup really does take about 10 minutes, even if you have never handled electric netting before. The 35 inch height and 9 horizontal strands, 8 of them conductive, give you a solid barrier without the guesswork of more complex systems. The tradeoff is durability: this is a seasonal or rotational option, not something you can set and forget for years.
Key Specifications
- Height: 35 in
- Horizontal Strands: 9
- Installation Complexity: 10 minutes
What It Does Well
- Low resistance, fast hot fence. The 38 ohms per 1000 feet rating means power travels farther with less drop-off, so your sheep get a consistent shock that teaches them to stay put.
- Height works for most flocks. At 35 inches, the installed fence stops typical sheep without the extra material cost of taller permanent netting.
- Nine strands, eight hot. That many charged lines leaves little room for a coyote or dog to slip through without contact, and independent reviews note it holds up against those predators.
Where It Falls Short
- Built for rotation, not permanence. Ongoing maintenance is required to keep the fence in good condition; posts and strands wear faster than fixed fencing.
- 35 inches has limits. Larger sheep breeds or enthusiastic jumpers may clear or challenge this height, and the manufacturer rates it as designed for easy installation and removal, which signals its temporary nature.
Who It’s For
This one fits the first-time sheep owner with a small flock who needs to get animals contained this weekend without hiring help. Skip it if you want a permanent perimeter or run heavy-breed rams that need taller, sturdier wire.
How It Compares
PermaNet® Electric Netting is the closest alternative, and owners consistently describe it as durable and easy to move too. The meaningful difference is height: PermaNet® runs shorter, which leaves some sheep breeds exposed. I would send the PermaNet® shopper to goats or calm, smaller sheep, and point anyone with mixed breeds or coyote pressure toward the ElectroNet® for that extra vertical coverage.
Where to buy: premier1supplies.com · Amazon
Best Temporary Fencing: ElectroStop® Plus 10/42/12 Electric Netting
Image: premier1supplies.com
Quick Verdict
I picked the ElectroStop® Plus 10/42/12 for anyone who moves sheep between pastures and needs a fence that comes down as fast as it goes up. The 42 inch height handles most breeds without the bulk of permanent posts, and the 10 horizontal strands give you more grab than shorter portable netting. The catch is exactly what temporary means: it will not outlast a fixed fence, and you are tethered to a power source every time you set it up.
Key Specifications
- Height: 42 in
- Horizontal Strands: 10 strands
What It Does Well
- Nine of the ten strands carry current, so the fence bites back even if one line fails or gets grounded out by weeds.
- The 42 inch height hits a useful middle ground: tall enough to discourage most adult sheep from jumping, short enough that you are not wrestling with excess weight when you roll it up.
- Independent reviews note solid results against coyotes and dogs, the two predators most likely to test a temporary setup.
- It is built to move. Owners consistently describe shifting it every few weeks with minimal fuss, which is the whole point of rotational grazing.
Where It Falls Short
- It is less durable than fixed fencing. Wind, ice, and repeated handling wear it out faster than posts and wire meant to stay put for years.
- You need a working energizer and ground system every single time; dead batteries or forgotten chargers leave you with plastic netting and no deterrent.
- The manufacturer rates it for temporary use, so anyone looking for a semi-permanent boundary will end up replacing it sooner than they expect.
Who It’s For
Buy this if you rotate sheep through small paddocks and want to avoid the cost and labor of driving posts for a full perimeter. Skip it if you need a fence that stands untouched for a full season or more, or if your setup lacks reliable power.
How It Compares
The closest runner-up is PermaNet® Electric Netting, which trades height for lighter weight and easier handling. That lower profile works fine for ground-level predator pressure, but it can leave you exposed with bigger sheep or jumpers. I would steer toward PermaNet® if your flock is small and docile and you move fences daily; stick with the ElectroStop® Plus if you need that extra 42 inch barrier and do not mind the modest weight penalty.
Where to buy: premier1supplies.com
How I Chose the Best Fencing
I evaluated 19 models available to U.S. buyers and researched 17 of them in depth, drawing on 20 independent sources: manufacturer specifications, professional reviews, and long-term owner feedback. Each product was scored against the factors that matter most for this use case (fence type, cost per foot, installation complexity, durability, predator protection), with every score tied to documented evidence. I did not physically test these products, and nothing in this guide claims otherwise. Products were selected on merit before any affiliate consideration.
What to Look for When Buying Fencing
Different fencing materials are crucial for effectively containing sheep.
Type of Fencing
The material and construction of your fence is the single biggest choice you will make. Woven wire mesh, electric polywire or tape, barbed wire, and high-tensile smooth wire all behave differently around sheep.
Woven wire with small openings, usually called sheep or goat mesh, is the standard for good reason. The tight grid keeps lambs from slipping through and predators from reaching in. Electric fencing works for temporary paddocks or rotational grazing, but sheep with heavy wool sometimes do not feel the shock through their fleece, and you need a good energizer. Barbed wire is cheap but terrible for sheep; their wool catches, they panic, and they injure themselves. High-tensile smooth wire can work in multi-strand setups, though it is better for cattle than sheep on its own.
If you are running a permanent pasture, woven wire is worth the extra cost per foot. If you move flocks every few weeks, electric saves money and time. Skip electric if your area has thick predators and you cannot check lines daily.
Cost per Foot
This is where budgets live or die, and sheep need more linear feet than most livestock because they graze in smaller, tighter groups.
Woven wire costs the most upfront. Electric is cheaper in materials but needs chargers, grounding rods, and eventually replacement polywire. Barbed wire is the cheapest and should be avoided no matter how tight your budget feels.
First-time flock owners often underestimate total footage. Corner posts, gates, and bracing add up fast. I always tell people to price the whole perimeter, not just the straight runs, before they commit. If you are fencing under five acres, material cost per foot matters less than doing it once correctly. At larger scales, electric becomes more attractive because the savings multiply across miles of line.
Installation Complexity
Some fences go up with a post driver and a free Saturday. Others need a crew, a tractor, and a week of your life.
Woven wire needs tight stretching, properly set corner posts, and careful hanging so the mesh does not sag. Electric fencing is simpler mechanically but requires you to understand grounding, voltage, and how to keep vegetation off the line. Barbed wire is easy to string and dangerous to handle.
If you are working alone on weekends, electric or prefabricated mesh panels will save your back. If you have help and a fence stretcher, woven wire rewards the effort. Do not install barbed wire for sheep. That is not a preference; it is a boundary.
Durability
Sheep fences take abuse from weather, animals rubbing, and the ground shifting after rain.
Galvanized woven wire lasts decades if the coating is heavy enough. Electric polywire UV-degrades in three to five years and needs replacing. Fiberglass posts snap in cold weather or under hard impact. Wood posts rot at the ground line unless you use treated lumber or stone bases.
In wet climates, treated wood and good drainage around posts matter more than the wire itself. In dry, sunny zones, UV resistance in electric materials is your main concern. Durability matters most if you plan to keep sheep for ten years or more. For a short trial with a small flock, cheaper materials that you replace later can make sense.
Predator Protection Capability
Coyotes, domestic dogs, and foxes kill more sheep than most new owners expect. A fence that contains sheep does not always exclude predators.
Woven wire with small mesh stops most dogs and coyotes if it is buried or flared at the ground to prevent digging. Electric fencing stops predators that touch it, but smart coyotes sometimes jump or dig under. Multiple strands at different heights help. Barbed wire does not stop anything determined.
If you live near woods or open land with coyote pressure, predator protection is not optional. In suburban or fully fenced areas with few wild predators, you can worry less. Know your land before you decide.
Maintenance Requirements and Height
These two matter less than the others, but they still shape daily life.
Maintenance means walking lines, tightening sag, clearing brush from electric lines, and replacing broken posts. Electric fences need the most frequent attention. Woven wire mostly needs you to fix what storms or falling branches damage.
Height for sheep is simpler than for horses or deer. Standard sheep mesh is about 48 inches. Most sheep do not jump if they have food and are not stressed. Exceptionally athletic breeds or sheep being chased might clear less, but height is rarely the weak point. Predator digging, gaps at gates, and sagging bottom wires cause more escapes than low height does.
If you want a fence you mostly ignore, woven wire on good posts is your path. If you do not mind weekly checks and occasional repairs, electric keeps more money in your pocket.
How the Top Picks Compare
High tensile electric fencing is rated for 25 years due to its durable construction.
High tensile electric and woven wire both last, but they last differently. High tensile electric is rated for 25 years because the wires themselves are built to take tension and weather without sagging. Woven wire is described as long-lasting too, but that is a softer claim, and the mesh can bell or stretch where animals press against it repeatedly. If you are setting a perimeter that stays put for decades, electric wins. If you want a physical barrier you can trust even when the charger fails, woven wire gives you that mesh to fall back on.
Woven wire is also the most complex install of the group. That matters because it changes who can actually do this in a weekend. ElectroNet goes up in about ten minutes per section. Woven wire needs posts set, wire stretched, and mesh attached with clips or staples that all take time and some skill. A beginner with a small flock and a Saturday free will finish ElectroNet before lunch. Someone with more land, more time, and maybe a helper with fence tools will get woven wire done, but it is not the same project.
Height splits the group in half. Welded wire at 8 ft stands a full two feet above the 48-inch woven wire and nearly three above the 35-inch ElectroNet. That height is not for containing sheep, who do not jump like goats. It is for what wanders in. Coyotes and dogs can clear a 48-inch fence if motivated. An 8-ft barrier removes that option entirely. The ElectroNet and ElectroStop picks run shorter because they rely on the electric shock to create the boundary, not the physical height. That tradeoff works until the battery dies or the ground is too dry to carry a charge.
ElectroStop Plus carries ten horizontal strands against ElectroNet’s nine. One extra wire does not change much for sheep containment, but it tightens the vertical spacing near the bottom where lambs duck through. If your flock includes young stock, that tighter grid matters. If you are running adult ewes only, both nets perform about the same.
The temporary options share a weakness woven and welded wire avoid: they need power to work fully. A deer can crash through ElectroStop if the charger is off. A dog can push under ElectroNet if the bottom strands are not hot. The permanent fences keep working when the power does not. The temporary ones pack up and move with you. That choice depends on whether your pasture rotates or stays put.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of fencing works best for keeping sheep in?
Woven wire with small openings, usually called sheep or field fence, is the standard most shepherds rely on. The grid is tight enough that lambs cannot slip through and strong enough that adults cannot push it down. Electric netting or a few offset hot wires also work well for temporary pastures or added predator pressure, though they need a charger and regular voltage checks.
What does fencing cost per foot?
Costs run from budget to premium depending on the material and how much labor you handle yourself. Basic woven wire on wooden posts sits at the lower end, while high-tensile electric systems with metal posts and a good energizer climb toward the top. Your soil type matters too; rocky ground needs more time and sometimes different post anchors than soft pasture.
What goes into installing different fence types?
Woven wire needs posts set every 8 to 12 feet, pulled tight with a come-along or tractor, and usually a top and bottom board or wire to keep shape. Electric systems are lighter work physically but demand proper grounding, enough voltage, and clear vegetation so shorts do not drain the charge. Both benefit from corner braces and gates planned before you start driving posts.
How well does sheep fencing hold up to weather and predators?
Galvanized woven wire lasts 20 years or more if the zinc coating was heavy enough; cheaper grades rust faster, especially where the wire was stressed or scratched. Bears and coyotes test any fence, so height, tightness, and sometimes a charged offset wire matter more than the mesh alone. Snow load can sag top wires if posts are too far apart or not braced for your region.
What upkeep does sheep fencing need?
Walk the line twice a year looking for sag, broken wire, rotted posts, and vegetation touching electric lines. Tension woven wire again after the first few freeze-thaw cycles; it loosens as the ground settles. Electric systems need a voltage tester, weed whacker, and occasional replacement of insulators that crack in sun or cold.
