Asked on Mar 17, 2014

Hog Wire Fence Design/Construction Resources

Randy
by Randy
Looking for info and resources on constructing a hog wire fence (e.g. 'metal mesh' fence). I added a few pics for example and you can also take a look at this link to get a general idea of what I am looking for: http://bit.ly/1qNLx7C I want to use this for a dog fence in my backyard. Would like to build it myself and I have a pretty good idea, but would love to find some resources for more detailed construction/design discussions. Thanks in advance!
  13 answers
  • Having the wood that close to the ground is just asking for issues & as dogs like to dig, I prefer to bury the wire mesh a little into the ground. It also appears that they are not using typical wire fencing, but instead panels which can actually make it easier on you as long as you have the spacing right. To attach those you can dado out a channel or simply attach to the wood members with a clip, big U shape staple, etc... No matter the materials used, the layout is the most critical, especially the post spacing if going with panels. I use a string to get everything straight & mark where the holes will go. Dig said holes (at least 1/3 of post deep - deeper frost areas maybe more like a minimum of 4') with a post hole digger, pour just a little gravel in the bottom & then set your post & brace it. Then all you need to do is add a bag of quick crete & then water - in about a day your post is ready to go. The rest of the work is cosmetic & attaching. Based on the pictures above it appears that they attached the wire to 2x4's attached to the posts & then simply covered over it with another piece of wood or left it visible
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    • Donna W Donna W on Aug 26, 2017

      Pat, be sure to provide shade in summer, a shade tree just outside the fence, or a roof for shelter from the sun that also allows a breeze to hit the dog. I keep seeing dog runs with no protection from the hot summer sun...cruel!

  • Tractor supply has the fencing materials you would need. Make the wood panels out of deck materials such as Trex or the like. This way they never rot. What the photos show is perhaps cedar or redwood. Both very expensive materials. But its soft and if the pooch likes to chew, he will be out of yard in no time flat.
  • Moxie Moxie on Mar 18, 2014
    Thanks for the post!! Nice pics and ideas!
  • Adrianne C Adrianne C on Mar 19, 2014
    I built a fence similar but with chain link inside a wood frame. I threaded 1/2 galvanized pipe through the sides to hold it securely, and inset the pipe into the top and bottom piece. I used fence staples and secured the end v's to the top and bottom. The dogs could see through, but not get through. Effective. I currently have a fenced area with hog wire and 1x6's on the bottom. My dogs haven't dug it out yet.
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    • Gus baker Gus baker on Jun 24, 2020

      Well my seeing eye dog just recently passed a little over a yr ago when i first got her she was a pup even trained pups form bad habits...whose the owner whose the dog...train and correct a dog and they wont dig chew bark or be of any kind of nuisance. Like a small child they want attention give them the wrong kind or none at all they both child and dog will seek out trouble. A wise lady once told me if you have two dogs both need feeding. Which one grows up faster...the one you feed the most.God bless and be kind to your dogs.

  • Randy Randy on Mar 19, 2014
    Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas - would love to find some specific construction plans. Even if I had to modify them slightly!
    • Donna W Donna W on Aug 26, 2017

      Don't forget to provide a shaded area where there is a breeze in summer. We planted a shade tree safely outside the fence for our pets.

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    • Randy Randy on Jun 13, 2016
      @Christina No. Nothing specific unfortunately! I've had several fencing guys tell me they could build me one. It's not been a big issue, but I sure would love to find some plans one of these days.
  • Therese C Therese C on Nov 09, 2014
    This gives a good basic idea to go off of. Pretty simple and straight forward. Good luck! http://xericstyle.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/how-to-build-a-cedar-post-and-hog-panel-fence/.............I being a farm girl, can vouch that you need HEAVY gloves when working with these materials!
  • Gary Gary on Apr 07, 2015
    Looks great. Several of the places I went to look at buying the fencing had fencing that was showing some rust at the welds. Anything I can brush or spray to protect these panels?
    • Donna W Donna W on Aug 26, 2017

      Don't forget some shade. A shade tree planted outside the fence worked great for our dog. A dog house breaks the cooling breeze.

  • DORLIS DORLIS on Aug 17, 2015
    Check with Lowes or Home Depot or a farm supply store. They should be able to give you some tips/
  • DORLIS DORLIS on Aug 17, 2015
    This is a really nice looking fence. I would like it for a deck
  • ObiaMan ObiaMan on Jun 12, 2016
    I'm a believer in cemented in treated 4x4s and I love these hog panels. Lowe's sells them - 4'4"x16' for $20. I have 3 attached to 4x4s for my kiwi vines. I put one around a 6'Diameter blueberry circle. I draped 2 of them up and over a ditch attached to my fence for my merlitons to grow on. My next project is to build a fence around my front yard like the one in your top pic. Just cement 4x4s every 8 feet and connect with 2x4s, top and bottom, leaving the bottom one up off the ground. Attach the panel to the back side and have it go to the ground or even below grade if you have diggers. The level of nice and the finish is up to you. I want to allow chickens to roam at times, so I plan on adding a layer of chicken wire . I'll plan to add a row of cinder blocks along the fence like the fence around the rest of my yard. 4x4s fit into the holes perfectly and I cement the post from the bottom to the top of the block. I just glue the blocks together using construction adhesive. I really did a good job of leveling the blocks with sand and it has held up for 25 years now. So, no wood touching the ground. Put gravel down into the post hole. With the blocks and a panel you get an easy 5'tall fence. I'll probably be redoing my old fence in the near future and I plan on adding a second row of cinder blocks as I am continually adding to my massive raised garden beds. And in many places, I plant small plants or herbs in the open holes.
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    • Paul Paul on Dec 22, 2019

      This is what I am looking for as well. Please if you have a picture that would be awesome.

  • DORLIS DORLIS on Jun 13, 2016
    If you are using it to fence in your dogs, may as well get smaller holes to help keep out coons. Put wire at the top at 45 degree angle to keep them from trying to climb over.
  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Dec 23, 2019

    Don't know how to build this, but love the look - it is a very attractive fence.