Fencing systems significantly affect farm animal welfare through injury risk, social management, and access to resources. Understanding best practices prevents common welfare problems.
Fence-related welfare problems are common and largely preventable. Cattle caught in barbed wire experience acute pain from wire cuts and can sustain severe lacerations while struggling to free themselves. Sheep with heavy fleeces that become entangled in wire or fence netting can be trapped for hours or days, experiencing distress, dehydration, and hypothermia. Poorly maintained electric fences that animals learn to test and cross expose them to road traffic risk. The design, installation, and maintenance of appropriate fencing for each species is a basic welfare responsibility for all livestock keepers. Visual inspection of fencing as part of daily animal checks prevents the prolonged suffering that occurs when fence-related welfare incidents go undetected.