Fencing out big, determined animals is different from keeping sheep in. Deer test height. Pigs find their way under. Macropods squeeze through gaps or push at weak spots. Getting the specs right saves repairs, stock loss and crop damage.
Start with behaviour, not brand names
Think about how each target moves. Deer will jump if they can see a landing, so height and a clear top line matter. Pigs root and pry, so the weak point is nearly always at ground level. Macropods often try to go under or through rather than over, which is why tight apertures near the base reduce escapes and injuries. Barbed-wire tops can snag kangaroos, so use them with care and keep the spacing at the top consistent to avoid entanglement.
Mesh size: when to tighten the apertures
Deer exclusion fencing has a helpful baseline: 17/190/15 netting at a minimum height of 1.9 metres, with 15 centimetre vertical spacing that deer cannot push through. That same mesh spec also resists macropods and pigs, provided the bottom apertures are tight and well anchored. On older boundary fences, a practical retrofit is a base strip of vermin mesh wired to the lower line to close large openings and stop young animals slipping through.
How high is high enough?
For deer, plan on at least 1.9 metres, preferably a touch more on uneven ground or where animals are pressured. Large macropods are routinely held by 1.8 metres in managed enclosures, which lines up with many farm builds. Add a plain sight wire at the top if you need a clearer visual barrier for jump-prone stock. Check local terrain, because a dip can hand animals a step-up.
Apron depth: the silent deal-breaker for pigs
If pigs are in the mix, the budget line to protect is the apron. A ground-level mesh skirt stops prying and digging before it starts. Field standards call for a netting apron of about 300 millimetres, pegged out from the fence on the outside and tied to the bottom wire. In sandy soils or heavy pressure areas, managers extend the apron or bury netting further and shorten post spacing to keep the edge pinned. In practice, expect to go to 5-metre post intervals where aprons are used.
Post spacing that won’t sag or “pump”
The deer standard allows posts up to 10 metres apart on level, firm runs, but that is a ceiling, not a target. Close the spacing on rises, dips and creek approaches, and use more droppers to keep the fabric true. Once you add an apron, halve the gap to around 5 metres so the skirt stays in contact with the ground and doesn’t lift after rain or traffic.
Electric offsets and gateways
A low, external outrigger wire 20 to 60 centimetres above ground deters pigs and dogs from testing the base. Fitted correctly, it protects the apron investment and reduces wear at pressure points like gateways and corners. Match that with stiff gate bottoms and buried or pegged skirts where vehicles pass.
Orchard edges and wildlife corridors
Where fences flank orchards or vineyards, keep apertures tight near the base for macropods and pigs, then carry height for deer. Overhead or canopy treatments can help with birds, yet the fence still does the heavy lifting for ground visitors. If you run integrated netting on blocks, choose compatibles so posts and end assemblies handle both the fence load and the span of bird netting without twisting.
Horticulture pests and soft fruit
Soft-fruit growers often combine perimeter fences with targeted nets to cut pest pressure. In high-value rows, selective use of fruit fly netting over sections reduces losses while the fence keeps the larger animals out. The key is sequencing: build your fence first, then fit nets so you are not retrofitting around strained wires and stays.
Sheds, silos and feed stores
Pigs follow scent. If the fence does its job and they still find a way into a shed, the fix is often simple hardware: seal gaps at slab level and screen vents. Heavy-gauge rodent mesh holds up well on intake grilles and auger housings and can be replaced cheaply if it wears.
Water crossings and services
Many rural fences cross drains or skirt trough lines. Allow for flood flows and plan a break-away section or hinged panel you can lift and re-pin after a flush. When you order posts, netting, strainers and tie wire, it pays to collect clamps, valves and spare risers in the same run from irrigation supplies Perth so you can tidy water points as you go.
Buying for WA conditions
Galvanised coatings earn their keep near the coast and saline flats, and heavier picket wires cope better with shifting sands. Freight adds up fast, so bundle orders and pick-up locally where possible. If you are juggling fencing and water gear, speak with irrigation suppliers Perth WA about loading plans and delivery windows so your crew is never waiting on a single roll or fitting.
Quick reference table
| Target animals | Step-up triggers | Mesh and height | Apron depth | Post spacing |
| Deer pressure or known crossings | Jumping or leaning on corners | 17/190/15 mesh at minimum 1.9 m | Add apron where pigs or erosion present | Up to 10 m on firm, even ground |
| Pigs present or fresh rooting | Digging at base, soft soils | Tight apertures at ground; mesh to base line | Netting apron about 300 mm; extend or bury in sand | Shorten to about 5 m with aprons |
| Macropods on cropping edges | Under or through behaviour | Keep base apertures small; carry to ~1.8 m | Pegged skirt reduces crawl-under | Match deer spec on uneven ground |
Putting it all together
Walk the line, read the sign, then spend where it counts. Tighten mesh at the base, size the fence for the jumper in the mob, pin the ground edge with a real apron and keep posts close enough that the fabric stays true. Add a low electric offset and build gateways that match the rest of the fence. The result is fewer breaches, cleaner paddocks and less time pulled off other jobs.