Quick Answer
Portable livestock fencing uses electric netting, polywire on step-in posts, or lightweight wire systems that can be moved quickly for rotational grazing, temporary paddocks, and emergency containment. A complete portable system for 1–2 acres costs $200–$600 and can be set up or moved by one person in under an hour. Key requirements: a reliable portable energizer, quality wire or netting, and sufficient grounding.
Types of Portable Fencing
Electric netting: All-in-one solution with integrated posts and electrified horizontal strands. 164-foot sections at $80–$130 each. Best for poultry (48-inch height) and sheep/goats (35–48-inch height). Moves easily but requires vegetation-free ground for good voltage.
Polywire on step-in posts: Most flexible system. Posts push in by hand; wire clips to built-in hooks. Reel systems make setup and takedown faster. Cost: $0.50–$2.00 per post, $20–$50 per 1,320-ft reel. Best for cattle in simple single-strand temporary paddocks.
Polytape on step-in posts: Flat ribbon wire more visible than round polywire — better for horses that need to see the fence clearly. Higher wind resistance; not ideal in gusty conditions. Similar cost to polywire.
Energizer Selection for Portable Systems
Portable systems need a portable energizer: solar-battery or 12V battery unit. A Gallagher S200 or Parmak Solar 12 at $150–$250 provides 1–2 joules — adequate for 1–3 sections of netting or up to 1 mile of single-strand polywire. D-cell battery units work for very small, short-term setups but become expensive for regular use.
Setup Best Practices
- Clear vegetation under the fence before setting up — short grass contact drains voltage quickly
- Install ground stakes in the moistest available soil at the energizer location
- Test voltage at the far end before moving livestock into the paddock
- Keep polywire taut — sagging wire touches vegetation and loses voltage
- Wind wire back onto reels during takedown to prevent tangles
Livestock Training
Never move untrained livestock into a portable electric fence paddock without first training them in a small, secure pen with electric wire. Untrained animals panic when first shocked and may run through the fence before learning to respect it. A 2–3-day training session in a small area saves significant fence management problems when moving animals to larger portable paddocks.
Our Recommendation
Invest in quality portable fence components from the start. Quality step-in posts ($1.50–$2.00 each), quality polywire (6+ strands), and a reliable solar energizer ($150–$250) form a system that will last 5–10 seasons with good care. Cheap components — D-cell energizers, 3-strand polywire, and thin-walled step-in posts — fail within 1–2 seasons and cost more in total than quality components purchased once.