Barbed wire fences, used for agricultural or security purposes, consist of wire tied together with barbs.
A barbed wire fence is a fence made with barbed wire, a fencing product consisting of wire tied together with barbs. Barbed wire fences are used to keep people and animals in or out of the fenced area, depending on the need and the project. They are used all over the world and there are a number of fencing products that can be used to build a barbed wire fence. Hardware stores and livestock dealers often carry the equipment needed to make a barbed wire fence.
Ranchers have used barbed wire to contain cattle since the 19th century.
The development of barbed wire dates back to the 1800s, when farmers were looking for a fencing product that could contain livestock and be inexpensive to implement. The project, using drawn wire with small barbs, proved to be very effective and very popular. A basic barbed wire fence with three or four strands of barbed wire can be an effective way to keep many breeds of cattle contained, as they don’t feel like pushing against the fence because the barbs are sore.
The barbed wire prevents the cattle from escaping.
Other barbed wire fences may mix fence products. For example, a mesh fence can be installed with a strand of barbed wire on top. This design creates a more solid barrier that is difficult to penetrate or climb over. Barbed wire can also be used with barbed wire, also known as barbed tape, which includes sharp blades often used specifically to repel humans from the fence.
Barbed wire fence posts can be made of wood or metal. An advantage of metal posts is that they can be put up quickly and efficiently and can be fitted with ties or clips that can be used to tie down barbed wire. The wire itself can show splinters at varying intervals, can be single or double stranded, and can be treated to resist rust and other forms of corrosion, which can be a common problem with fences exposed to the elements.
Other variations of the barbed wire fence include electrified fencing, in which contact with the barbed wire produces an electric shock, and fencing combined with more solid barriers, such as concrete walls. These fences can be seen in use on farms, prisons, and military installations, used to control the movement of people and animals for safety. Companies that specialize in building fences can be approached by people who are not comfortable designing and building their own fences.