Quick Answer
Wire spacing depends on the animal being contained. For cattle, 2–3 strands at 18, 30, and 42 inches work well. Sheep and goats need 4–5 strands with the bottom wire at 6–8 inches. Horses need 2–3 strands at 24, 36, and 48 inches. Predator control requires 6–8 strands with 4-inch bottom spacing and optional underground apron.
Wire Spacing by Livestock Type
| Animal | Strands | Wire Heights (inches from ground) |
|---|---|---|
| Beef cattle | 2–3 | 18, 30 (add 42 for bulls) |
| Dairy cattle | 2–3 | 20, 32, 44 |
| Horses | 2–3 | 24, 36, 48 |
| Sheep (shorn) | 4 | 8, 16, 24, 32 |
| Sheep (woolly) + alternating | 5 | 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 (alternate hot/ground) |
| Goats | 5 | 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 |
| Pigs (adults) | 2–3 | 8, 18, 28 |
| Piglets/young pigs | 3–4 | 4, 8, 14, 20 |
| Deer deterrent | 7–8 | 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 |
| Coyote/fox control | 6–8 | 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36 + buried apron |
Understanding Hot/Ground Alternating Systems
For woolly sheep and in dry soil conditions, an alternating hot/ground wire system dramatically improves shock effectiveness. Instead of relying on the animal's feet to complete the circuit through dry soil, the animal simultaneously touches a hot wire and a ground wire, completing the circuit directly. Wire spacing in this system is typically 6 inches between hot and ground wires. This system requires the hot wires and ground wires to be clearly marked to avoid accidentally connecting them.
Bottom Wire Height Is Critical
The bottom wire must be low enough that the animal cannot easily duck under it, but high enough to avoid constant vegetation contact (which drains voltage). For goats: 8 inches maximum. For pigs: 4–6 inches. For cattle: 18 inches is usually fine since cattle won't attempt to duck under a fence they respect. On rocky or uneven ground, adjust bottom wire height per post to maintain consistent clearance above vegetation.
Multi-Species Fencing
When fencing mixed livestock, wire spacing must accommodate the smallest, most escape-prone animal. If running cattle and goats together: use goat spacing (5 strands at 8, 16, 24, 32, 40 inches). This will contain both species. The extra cost of closer spacing is justified by avoiding the constant goat-escape management that inadequate fencing creates.
Our Recommendation
When in doubt, use one more strand than you think you need — the incremental cost of an extra wire is minimal compared to the cost of managing escapes. For a mixed-species operation, design the fence for your most challenging animal (usually goats or pigs) and every other species will be contained safely.