6 Best Short T Posts For Poultry Netting That Prevent Common Fence Fails
Avoid common poultry fence fails. We review the 6 best short T-posts for optimal netting support, stability, and predator-proof security.
You’ve seen it happen: the premier poultry netting you bought is now a sagging, droopy mess after the first big storm. The flimsy plastic posts that came with it have buckled, creating a perfect entry point for a wily fox or a curious raccoon. Choosing the right short T-post isn’t just about holding up a fence; it’s about creating a reliable barrier that protects your flock day in and day out.
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Why Stock Netting Posts Fail Your Flock
The fiberglass or thin plastic posts included with most poultry netting kits are designed for convenience, not durability. They are lightweight and easy to move, which is great for daily pasture rotation. But they lack the rigidity to withstand real-world pressures.
A strong wind, a heavy downpour that softens the ground, or even a determined hen leaning against the fence can cause these posts to bend and fail. This creates slack in the netting, lowering the top line and allowing predators to hop over or push underneath. The stock posts are a weak link that undermines the entire security of your fence. They are a temporary solution at best, not a reliable long-term perimeter.
Upgrading to steel T-posts, even short ones, fundamentally changes the integrity of the fence. A metal post provides a rigid anchor that holds the netting taut and upright, maintaining its height and tension. This simple switch transforms a flimsy barrier into a formidable defense, giving you peace of mind and your chickens a truly secure space.
Zareba 3-Foot T-Post: The Reliable Standard
When you need a post that just works, the Zareba 3-foot T-post is the answer. It’s the quintessential workhorse found on countless small farms for a reason. Its construction is solid, the studs are spaced correctly for standard clips, and it has the heft to drive into most soil types without bending.
Think of this as your baseline for a secure poultry fence. It’s heavy enough to resist wind and animal pressure but short enough to be manageable and perfect for 36-inch or 42-inch netting. For most hobby farmers, the Zareba post strikes the perfect balance between cost, durability, and ease of use. It’s not the fanciest option, but it’s a dependable one you won’t regret.
Red Brand Heavy-Duty Posts for Rocky Soil
If your property is more rock than dirt, you know the frustration of trying to drive a standard T-post. They hit a hidden stone, bend into a useless U-shape, and you’re left with a half-dug hole and a lot of wasted effort. This is where a true heavy-duty post makes all the difference.
Red Brand is known for its robust, American-made steel, and their heavy-duty posts live up to the name. They are noticeably thicker and heavier than standard posts, giving them the backbone to punch through compacted, clay-heavy, or rocky soil. The anchor plate at the bottom is also larger and more substantial, providing a better grip once it’s in the ground.
While they cost more per post, the investment pays off immediately in reduced frustration and fewer bent, wasted posts. If you’ve ever given up on a fence line because the ground was too tough, a heavy-duty post like this is your solution. It allows you to build a secure perimeter where lighter posts would simply fail.
CountyLine T-Posts: The Economical Bulk Buy
Setting up a large perimeter or multiple paddocks can get expensive fast. When you need to buy 50 or 100 posts at once, the per-post price really starts to matter. CountyLine posts, often found at Tractor Supply, are the go-to choice for farmers prioritizing quantity and value.
These posts are generally a bit lighter than premium brands and the finish might not be as thick, but they get the job done. For long, straight runs on decent soil, they provide more than enough support for poultry netting. You are trading a bit of longevity and brute strength for significant cost savings.
The key is to use them smartly. Use heavier-duty posts for your corners and gates where the tension is highest, and fill in the straight sections with these more economical options. This hybrid approach gives you a strong, reliable fence without breaking the budget.
Behlen Green-Coated Post for Rust Prevention
A T-post’s worst enemy isn’t a predator; it’s rust. Once the paint wears off, moisture begins to eat away at the steel, especially right at the soil line where water and microbes are most active. A rusted-out post can snap unexpectedly, bringing down an entire section of your fence.
Behlen’s green-coated posts offer an extra layer of defense against corrosion. The powder-coating is more durable than a simple coat of paint, resisting chips and scratches from installation and daily wear. This is especially important in humid climates, areas with acidic soil, or places with heavy rainfall where posts are constantly damp.
While any steel post will eventually rust, a good coating can add years to its life. Investing in a rust-resistant post means you’ll be replacing them far less often, saving you time and money in the long run. It’s a small upfront cost for much greater longevity.
SpeeCo Studded T-Post for a Non-Slip Grip
One of the most common poultry fence failures is netting sag. Over time, the netting slowly slides down the smooth shaft of a post, creating a droop at the top and a dangerous gap at the bottom. The studs, or nubs, on a T-post are designed to prevent exactly that.
SpeeCo posts feature prominent, well-defined studs that run the length of the post. These studs provide a secure purchase for your fence clips or wire ties, locking the netting in place. When you pull the fence taut, the clips bite against these studs and can’t slip down. This keeps your top line high and your bottom line secure against digging pests. A post without good studs is just a slick pole; a well-studded post is an integrated part of a secure fence system.
Dare Poly T-Post: A Lightweight Alternative
Not every situation calls for a heavy steel T-post. For temporary paddocks, interior divisions, or highly portable setups, a heavy-duty poly T-post is an excellent alternative. These posts are incredibly lightweight, making them easy to carry and install without a post driver.
The Dare Poly T-Post is a great example. It’s more rigid than the flimsy posts that come with netting kits and often has a step-in feature for easy placement. Because they are plastic, they will never rust and are non-conductive, making them a perfect choice for electric netting without needing separate insulators. This simplifies your setup significantly.
However, there is a tradeoff. Poly posts lack the sheer strength of steel. They are not ideal for perimeter fences where you face pressure from larger predators or livestock. Use poly posts for their portability and electrical safety, but rely on steel for your permanent, high-security boundaries.
T-Post Installation Tips to Stop Fence Sag
The best posts in the world won’t work if they’re installed poorly. A taut, upright fence depends as much on technique as it does on materials. Driving posts correctly is the key to preventing the dreaded fence sag that plagues so many poultry keepers.
First, focus on the corners. Your corner posts bear the most tension and are the foundation of the entire fence line. Always use your heaviest, strongest posts for the corners and consider adding a diagonal brace post for extra support on long runs. This creates a solid anchor that allows you to pull the rest of the fence tight.
Follow these simple rules for a fence that stays tight for years:
- Depth is everything. Drive posts at least 12-18 inches into the ground. The deeper the post, the more leverage it has against being pulled over.
- Space them correctly. For poultry netting, place a T-post every 8 to 12 feet. Any further apart and you’ll get significant sag between posts.
- Use a post driver. Don’t try to use a sledgehammer. A T-post driver is safer, directs all the force downward, and prevents you from bending the top of the post.
- Pull tension from the corners. Anchor one end of your netting securely to a corner post. Then, walk the roll to the next corner, pulling it snug before attaching it to the line posts in between. This ensures even tension across the entire line.
Ultimately, your fence posts are an investment in the safety of your flock and your own peace of mind. By moving beyond the inadequate stock posts and choosing a T-post suited to your soil and needs, you build a reliable system that works. A strong fence lets you rest easy, knowing your birds are secure.
