Barbed Wire. Why?

[Stereo]

I've grown up on a dairy farm and we also did a lot of beef cattle / sucklers/ arable etc. So, I'm a farmer's lad. I know about blood, brains, death, balls, salt licks (yum) and Denkovit.

 

I went to buy some pig netting today and the guy was confused as to why I didn't want any barbed wire to go on top.

 

Why do farmers use barbed wire?

 

If it's a deterant, it's not a good one. The animals first experience of trying to jump it will usually end in a costly injury. I've never yet seen a bovine look at barbed wire with a look of comprehension of potential injuriy in his / her eyes.

 

If it's punishment, it is a good one. But I doubt bovines are clever enough to appreciate the subtelty of a human punishing them for busting through the fence. It's just retribution on a dumb animal.

 

So, what's it all about? What good does it do except harden up farmer's sons and daughters as they try to climb through hedges erected by their idiot, ignorant parents?

 

Convince me.

[Daniël Bos]

In civilized countries, it's illegal...

[felixthelogchopper]

It's sponsored by the firms that make chainsaw trousers

[born2trot]

That was a well put across point ' stereo '

 

It certainly didnt do the dutch rider any good in the Tour De France last year.

He summersaulted head first into a barb fence and was completely lacerated.

He still finished the stage incredibly.

[Daniël Bos]

That was a well put across point ' stereo '

 

It certainly didnt do the dutch rider any good in the Tour De France last year.

He summersaulted head first into a barb fence and was completely lacerated.

He still finished the stage incredibly.

 

How ironic, considering The Netherlands has banned the use of barbed wire to use for animal fencing. (It's fine to use on people, they should know better)

[tree monkey]

its there as a deterrant when pig or sheep netting is erected with 2 strands of barbed wire on the top it makes the fence look taller also it should be tight this is to stop live stock trying to jump over wen they push against it they are pricked with the barbs.

In my experince it works and we use it on our fields.

[born2trot]

How ironic, considering The Netherlands has banned the use of barbed wire to use for animal fencing. (It's fine to use on people, they should know better)

 

His name was Johnny Hoogerland , and he won the bravery award that day , really deserved. Good on the Netherlands.

Sorry for the slight derail stereo

[skyhuck]

Cows will lean over a fence to reach grass or other vegetation, if its plain wire they just keep leaning until the fence is broken or flat.

 

Barbed wire prevents this, I've lived next to a dairy form for over 20 years and have never seen a cow injured by barb wire.

 

This week I have released two sheep, one had its head stuck in standard stock fencing, the other had got some pain wire tangled round its leg.

[Stereo]

I've lived on a working farm for most of my years and I have seen plenty of nasty injuries from barbed wire. Torn udders and bellies etc.

 

I don't buy this cow leaning over a fence business. Why is the cow in a field with no grass so she has to lean over the fence to get a meal? I already know the answer and see it around here all the time.

 

How about a fence high enough so a cow can't lean over it at such a height that her neck makes contact with spikes? How about netting high enough so that you put it up in one hit without the need to go back through with 2 strands of barbed wire?

 

These cows are not rocket surgeons. They can be lovely animals but are pretty dim all considered. Why not put up a cow sized fence and not punish them for seeing an opportunity for some tasty grub outside of the fully grazed field we have kept them in for too long?

 

Nah, screw that. Spike them in the neck. That will teach them to question our farming methods.

[Stereo]

Oh and Skyhuck, I have released many sheep from netting over the years. We have never kept them but our neighbours do. I'm not sure they count because as a species, they seem intent on dying as soon as they are born. Sheep make a bench vice look smart.

 

That said, if you put up a 3 strand barb wire fence, the lambs will get under it anyway and destroy your hazel coppice in it's first year of growth.

 

Sheep are like deer, they need brash fencing, or should just be eaten straight away.