7 Tools for Installing Sheep Netting on Your Pasture

Rolling out electric sheep netting across uneven pasture can quickly transform from a quick chore into a frustrating tangle of saggy lines and lost voltage. Having the proper kit on hand turns this demanding labor into a straightforward, efficient system that keeps livestock secure. Investing in purposeful fencing tools ensures tight nets, reliable grounding, and a fence line built to withstand thick wool and inquisitive hooves.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Preparing Your Pasture Line Before Fence Setup

Unrolling sheep netting over unmanaged terrain guarantees shorts and sagging lines. Tall weeds, fallen limbs, and hidden depressions pull down the bottom strut, grounding out your charge before livestock ever touch the fence. Taking time to prep the layout prevents future headaches and preserves pulse strength.

Mow a strip at least four feet wide along the intended fence line down to a low height. Clear out rocks, deadwood, and brambles that could snag fine polywire strands during placement. Level out sharp dips using surrounding dirt to prevent sheep from ducking under low gaps.

Mark corner post locations with high-visibility flags to establish straight runs. A straight fence line holds uniform tension, whereas snaking paths create slack points that slip off support posts. Clean ground preparation ensures full electrical flow across the entire netted enclosure.

Post Driver – Man Saver Pneumatic Fence Driver

Corner and end posts absorb all the pulling force of high-tensile support lines and stretched netting. Driving wood or heavy steel posts manually with a sledgehammer leads to fatigued arms and crooked posts. The Man Saver Pneumatic Fence Driver automates this heavy lifting, driving posts straight into firm soil with rapid pneumatic cycles.

This compact driver runs off a modest farm air compressor, delivering hundreds of strokes per minute without destroying post tops. Its lightweight aluminum body keeps physical strain low, making it manageable for solo operators working long fence lines. The tool features interchangeable sleeve adapters to fit various post shapes, from small steel T-posts to round wooden posts.

Operating this driver requires a reliable air hose supply and a portable generator or gas-powered air compressor in remote pastures. Ensure the driver head stays oiled according to the manufacturer guidelines to prevent internal seal wear. It is the ultimate time-saver for smallholders installing permanent corner assemblies, though it represents an unnecessary expense for pastures requiring only temporary step-in posts.

Fence Tensioner – Dutton-Lainson WG1500 Strainer

Maintaining high tension on anchor lines keeps sheep netting from sagging between line posts. The Dutton-Lainson WG1500 Strainer provides the controlled pulling power needed to stretch guy wires and high-tensile brace wire tight. Without proper strain on support lines, net posts lean inward under weather stress or animal contact.

Constructed from heavy-gauge, zinc-plated steel, this strainer features a 1,500-lb pulling capacity suited for small-farm fencing tasks. Its smooth ratchet design allows incremental adjustments, giving precise control over line tightness. The spring-loaded latch holds wire securely under tension, preventing dangerous slippage while securing ends.

Using the strainer safely requires attaching it to a solid anchor, such as a tractor drawbar or established corner post. Keep hands clear of the tensioned cable or wire harness when releasing the ratchet lock. This tool is indispensable when building stable end-post brace assemblies, though it offers little utility for lightweight, non-tensioned step-in lines.

Fencing Pliers – Channellock 85 Heavy Duty Tool

Every fence builder needs a single, reliable hand tool capable of tackling wire work on the fly. The Channellock 85 Heavy Duty Fencing Tool combines six distinct functions into one drop-forged steel chassis. It eliminates the hassle of carrying separate hammers, wire cutters, and pliers across the pasture.

This tool features a corrugated hammer head for driving staples, heavy-duty wire cutters capable of snipping hard wire, and a staple-pulling claw. The jaw grips wire firmly for twisting splice loops or crimping connection clips. Made from high-carbon steel, the tool stands up to wet weather and dropped impacts on stony ground.

New pliers feel stiff right out of the packaging and require a drop of oil on the pivot joint to loosen up. Avoid using the hammer face on hardened steel T-posts to prevent chipping the tool head. Every sheep owner setting up perimeter netting should keep this pair on their tool belt, as no job setup is complete without it.

T-Post Driver – YARDGARD Heavy Duty Post Driver

While step-in posts support the body of electric netting, heavy metal T-posts provide essential stability at gates, corners, and sharp elevation changes. The YARDGARD Heavy Duty Post Driver uses weighted gravity to force posts into hard-packed clay or rocky soil. It delivers straight down-force that prevents bent posts and split tops.

Featuring weighted side handles welded to a heavy steel tube, this driver delivers maximum impact force per stroke. The tapered inner bore directs force straight down the post shaft, reducing splintering or hazardous off-center hits. Its durable powder-coat finish resists rust even when stored in damp farm sheds.

Using a manual driver demands upper body effort and creates loud steel-on-steel noise, making ear protection essential. Always check overhead clearance for low tree branches before lifting the driver above the post top. It is an absolute necessity for anyone setting T-post corner anchors, though unnecessary for light rotational setups relying purely on step-in fiberglass posts.

Fence Energizer – Premier 1 SolarStop 80 Unit

Electric netting relies entirely on high voltage to shock through thick sheep wool and deter predators. The Premier 1 SolarStop 80 delivers intense, short-duration pulses engineered specifically to overcome the capacitive load of multi-strand net fencing. Without adequate joule output, long netting runs lose their shocking power rapidly against weed contact.

This all-in-one unit integrates a weather-sealed solar panel, internal battery, and energizer circuit into a rugged carry-handle casing. Delivering 0.8 stored joules, it generates sufficient output to power multiple connected nets in remote paddocks. The Smart-Boost technology manages power consumption during cloudy periods to prevent battery drain.

Position the solar face due south at a clear angle to maximize daily battery charging. Periodically wipe dust, mud, and pollen off the glass panel to maintain peak solar absorption efficiency. It is the gold standard for rotational grazers working off-grid pastures, though farms with nearby mains electricity may prefer a plug-in energizer for lower costs.

Wire Crimper – Nicopress 3-CG9 Heavy Duty Tool

Permanent splices and terminal brace loops must hold firm under constant wire tension without slipping. The Nicopress 3-CG9 Wire Crimper creates cold-weld joints on galvanized high-tensile wire using specialized sleeve fittings. Hand-twisted splices tend to unravel or snap under impact, whereas crimped sleeves preserve line strength.

Built with hardened alloy steel jaws, this tool generates immense crushing pressure across multiple jaw grooves. The extended steel handles provide comfortable leverage, letting operators apply maximum crimping force with minimal fatigue. Each jaw cavity is clearly marked to match standard sleeve sizes, ensuring accurate connections every time.

Check sleeve alignment before fully compressing the handles, as incorrect positioning can damage the crimping die. Keep the mechanical pivot points oiled to ensure smooth arm travel during cold weather installations. This tool is essential for constructing permanent corner braces and high-tensile anchor lines, though irrelevant for temporary netting setups using quick-clip connectors.

Digital Voltmeter – Gallagher Smart Fault Finder

Finding electrical leaks along hundreds of feet of polywire netting can turn into a tedious search without proper diagnostic tools. The Gallagher Smart Fault Finder measures voltage while displaying the directional flow of electrical current faults. It leads operators directly to short circuits caused by weeds, broken strands, or grounded posts.

This digital reader features an easy-to-read backlit LCD screen that displays kilovolts and amperage simultaneously. The integrated contact slot clips directly onto charged polywire without requiring ground probes for basic voltage checks. Its rugged, water-resistant housing withstands accidental drops onto pasture stones.

Always ensure clean metal-to-wire contact when taking readings to avoid false lower voltage displays. Replace the internal 9V battery at the start of the grazing season to prevent unexpected power loss during field diagnostics. This device is mandatory for anyone managing multi-roll electric nets, while owners of single short nets might manage with basic probe testers.

How to Properly Anchor Corners for Net Stability

Corner posts absorb the tension of the entire fence line, making them the most critical structural points of your pasture setup. A sagging corner post causes the net to drop, creating low spots where sheep can jump over or push through. Constructing sturdy corners requires solid posts and correct anchoring technique to resist inward pulling forces.

• Use treated 4×4 timber posts or heavy steel T-posts for all corner positions.
• Drive corner posts at a slight outward angle, roughly five degrees away from the direction of the fence line pull.
• Secure guy wires from the top of the corner post down to a heavy-duty ground anchor screwed deep into undisturbed soil.

Connect the net support posts securely to these anchored points using high-tensile guy lines or deadman anchors. Tension the lines evenly so the corner post stands completely upright under full net tension. Proper corner geometry keeps the entire net taut, upright, and effective against pasture escapees.

Testing Soil Conductivity for Good Grounding

An electric fence energizer cannot deliver an effective shock unless the pulse returns cleanly through the earth back to the ground rod. Dry, sandy, or rocky soil creates high electrical resistance, drastically reducing the shock felt by an animal touching the netting. Testing and improving soil conductivity is vital for maintaining high fence performance.

Drive at least three six-foot galvanized ground rods into moist earth, spacing them ten feet apart along the energizer setup. Connect these rods in series using heavy insulated lead-out wire and rust-proof ground clamps. In dry summer periods, pour water around the base of the ground rods to saturate the surrounding soil and restore conductivity.

To test your ground system, short out the fence line several hundred feet away from the energizer using a steel bar leaning against the live net wire. Touch the ground rod with a digital voltmeter probe while grounding the meter’s reference pin in the soil nearby. If the meter reads over 200 volts at the ground rod, add additional ground rods until the voltage drops to near zero.

Troubleshooting Voltage Drops Along the Fence

Voltage drops along electric netting usually stem from heavy weed contact, damaged conductive filaments, or poor electrical connections between rolls. When net voltage falls below 3,000 volts, sheep will push through the net, relying on their insulating wool for protection. Methodical troubleshooting identifies and fixes these power drains quickly.

Start at the energizer to verify that the unit is outputting full voltage into the lead-out wire before it hits the net. Walk the fence line with a fault finder, looking for places where bottom strands rest against tall grass, wet soil, or metal gates. Clear all vegetation touching the live horizontal polywires using a string trimmer or herbicide strip.

Inspect connection clips between netting rolls to ensure metal contacts are clean and free from rust or dirt build-up. Look closely at individual strands for snapped stainless steel conductive threads within the plastic weave. Bridge broken conductive strands using stainless steel wire sleeves to restore full current flow throughout the netting grid.

Maintaining Your Sheep Netting Season After Season

Proper seasonal maintenance extends the life of sheep netting and prevents frustrating tangles during spring setup. Leaving nets exposed to winter ice, heavy snow loads, and UV exposure degrades the plastic struts and weakens polywire conductors. Taking down and storing nets correctly preserves your investment for years of grazing.

• Clear all debris and weeds from the net before rolling it up for winter storage.
• Gather all step-in posts together in one hand while letting the netting fold neatly into accordion-style loops.
• Tie the gathered post bundle firmly with twine, then wrap the loose net body neatly around the bundle to prevent tangling.

Store rolled nets off the dirt floor in a dry, rodent-proof shed or hanging on wall pegs. Inspect nets every spring for broken struts, damaged clips, or frayed wires before setting them back out in the pasture. Timely repairs during the off-season ensure smooth, hassle-free spring deployments when pastures green up.

Equipping your farm with these specialized tools converts fence installation from a grueling chore into a fast, repeatable process. With a tight, well-grounded net line in place, your sheep stay safely where they belong while enjoying fresh pasture all season long.