Shepherd stakes – types, choice, prices

Fences in the form of an electric shepherd are widely used in agriculture and breeding. These are a simple construction of live barriers that effectively discourage wild or farmed animals from crossing the designated boundaries of the plot. For the installation of this type of fence and fixing the steel cord, posts for an electric shepherd are used. Which stakes to choose and how much do they cost? Get the answers.

Posts for the shepherd: what are their types?

Electro-shepherd requires stable, strong supports that will effectively resist changing weather conditions and mechanical damage. Electric shepherd stakes available on the market are made of various, more or less durable materials. In stores and wholesalers, you can choose 3 basic types of these products:

• plastic posts for the shepherd,

• galvanized steel stakes,

• concrete poles (prefabricated),

• wooden dowels,

• fiberglass poles,

• stakes made of a mixture of polypropylene and fiberglass.

Posts for electric fencing can be smooth (straight) or equipped with special hooks for fixing the wire. Stakes also have different heights, for example: 155-140 cm for horses, 105-130 cm for lower species, for example: goats, pigs, cows. Poles for the construction of the shepherd are available in pieces or in ready-made assembly kits.

Fence posts for the shepherd: which ones to choose?

Which poles for electro-shepherd are worth choosing? There is no single, simple answer to this question, because it all depends on what the fence is ultimately intended for. If it is to protect crops located in the vicinity of the forest or separate large animals from frequently used roads, it is worth choosing durable steel or plastic posts. For backyard breeding of small animals (dogs, goats) impregnated wooden stakes will work.

In fruit growing, zoos and cultivated fields, massive concrete poles are often used, which serve for many years without being damaged. An alternative to expensive prefabricated and metal concrete piles are fiberglass poles, resistant to moisture and temperature fluctuations, perfect for both the construction of temporary fences and perennial supports for trees and shrubs.

Plastic stakes for shepherd – advantages and disadvantages

Currently, plastic fence posts for shepherd, made of polypropylene, are very popular among farmers, fruit growers and breeders. What advantages does this material have? First of all, it is a durable raw material, resistant to UV rays, low and high temperatures and variable humidity. Plastic posts can be quickly moved if desired, they are perfectly visible from afar. Many breeders choose polypropylene stakes because of the price – it is the cheapest material available on the market for electro-shepherds.

The main disadvantage of plastic stakes is their weight – the bars are very light, so massive animals or sudden, strong gusts of wind are able to knock them over. Polypropylene stakes will not be a good solution for people who want the fence to serve more than one season. Inaccurately impregnated wood is also very susceptible to fungi and mold.

Steel and wooden posts for electric fences

Instead of plastic stakes, steel posts with an anti-corrosion layer can also be used for the electric fence. They are very durable and are great for building permanent shepherds. The zinc layer protects the metal from moisture and rust, thanks to which the supports serve many seasons. Their disadvantage, however, is that they conduct electricity and incorrectly insulated, they can pose a threat.

For the construction of breeding and orchard fences, wooden pegs for an electric shepherd are very often used. They are cheap, easy to assemble and lightweight, but they have one main drawback – they quickly rot if they are not properly impregnated. Electric fences, mounted on light wooden piles, tend to tilt, they tolerate moisture and constant changes in temperature and sunlight badly.

Shepherd posts – price per piece and the whole set

In stores you can now find different variants of stakes for electric fences: single posts, complete shepherd or sets of stakes. What is the price of a shepherd's post? Plastic stakes with a height of 70-100 cm, cost about 3-5 PLN, fiberglass posts are an expense of 10-15 PLN per piece. For metal posts we will pay 12-16 PLN, and for wooden ones from 4 to 20 PLN, depending on the height, diameter (fi) and impregnations used.

In stationary and online stores, ready-made mounting kits for shepherds have also appeared, containing both an electrician, power supply, as well as wiring, marking, insulators and posts. When choosing a set, however, you need to pay attention to whether a given manufacturer offers posts in the package. The cheapest sets consisting of 50 plastic stakes and accessories can be found at a price of 500-600 PLN and they are usually intended for small animals: cats, dogs, poultry and rodents.