Jackal & Predator-Resistant Fencing Guide

What does jackal-resistant fencing mean?

Jackal-resistant or predator-resistant fencing aims to reduce access by the assessed animals. It is a complete perimeter detail, not merely a roll called Jackal netting. No fence is presented here as 100% predator proof.

Inspect the route of entry before choosing a remedy. Under-fence gaps, digging, climbing, damaged openings, gates and drainage points can each need a different response. Design for the actual predator and vulnerable livestock.

Do jackal and caracal require the same solution?

Not automatically. Jackals can exploit openings underneath and some can climb. Caracal can climb or jump barriers intended for ordinary livestock. A base apron addresses digging or under-fence access; it does not establish that the top of the barrier is suitable.

Confirm which animals are present and distinguish predation evidence from assumptions. Include young stock, the smallest relevant openings and the pressure likely at the fence. Obtain specialist advice for unusual risks and avoid applying one farm’s result as a universal guarantee.

Which WFSA netting is labelled Jackal?

The title dimensions describe the material. They do not certify a completed predator-resistant enclosure. Bird and Chicken netting have different openings and listed diameters; do not substitute them merely because both are hexagonal.

The Wire Netting Guide includes the reviewed Bird, Chicken, Jackal and Pig ranges. Mzansi and Light labels with missing diameters require confirmation; a trade name cannot establish the needed strength.

How can the fence base resist digging?

Possible approaches include a designed buried continuation, an anchored horizontal apron or another approved ground barrier. Choose for the animal, soil, erosion, drainage, adjacent land and maintenance access. No universal burial depth or apron width is prescribed.

A buried detail needs adequate material below the finished ground level and a secure connection to the upright barrier. The trench, backfill and coating exposure must suit the site. Locate services before excavation and assess whether soil contact changes the corrosion specification.

An apron must remain connected, in contact with the intended ground surface and appropriately anchored. Its direction must suit the approach risk and land available. Corners and joins need continuity. Do not leave exposed sharp edges or loose mesh that traps livestock or people.

What role do stones and anchoring play?

Appropriately selected ground restraint can help keep a planned base treatment in position. Stones do not replace the mesh connection or a designed anchor detail. Loose packing can move, expose gaps or damage the mesh.

Check stability, drainage and future access for inspection. Do not assume that placing a few rocks against the fence makes it resistant to all digging. Floodwater and repeated animal activity can change the ground detail.

Use compatible fastening and anchoring materials and account for corrosion at ground contact. The appropriate interval, shape and embedment depend on the actual assembly; no fixed anchor schedule is implied here.

How do gates affect predator resistance?

Inspect beneath the closed gate, beside hinge and latch posts, at the centre of double gates and where the adjacent fence terminates. The opening needs a base detail compatible with safe movement and the assessed exclusion objective.

A gate can lose clearance control when hinges wear or ground erodes. A threshold or other ground detail must not create a drainage, vehicle or trip hazard. Confirm the actual site solution rather than simply extending a rigid apron across a moving leaf.

Keep latches reliable and establish an operating routine. A gate left open defeats the enclosure. Read Farm Gates for dimensions, supports and swing clearance.

What changes at drains, culverts and uneven ground?

Treat every discontinuity as a separate detail. Water flow, debris and seasonal erosion can create an access route or overload the fence. Blocking a drainage channel can have consequences beyond containment.

Obtain a design for water crossings and any relevant environmental requirements. Allow for inspection and debris removal while preserving the assessed animal barrier. Review the detail after heavy rain, not only at installation.

Rocky ground, banks, retaining structures and existing burrows can require another approach. Identify where an animal can travel around a short treated area or use an opening made by other wildlife.

What must be considered above the base?

Height, opening pattern, climbing features and nearby objects must suit the predator risk. A secure lower edge does not establish resistance to jumping or climbing. Any overhang or offset needs compatible supports and safe placement.

Avoid ad hoc sharp additions that create injury or entanglement risks to livestock, workers or non-target wildlife. A site-specific design should also address visibility, emergency movement and maintenance access.

The whole perimeter must work together: a short strong section can be bypassed through an untreated gate or neighbouring boundary. Coordinate the maintenance of shared fence lines where appropriate.

Can electric offsets help?

Electric conductors may be considered as part of a qualified design for the target animals and site. Their operation depends on insulation, earthing, connection quality, power, vegetation management and monitoring. Do not prescribe an energiser or live-wire spacing from this general material guide.

Use appropriate equipment and a qualified installer to confirm current requirements, public access, signage and safe animal interaction. Do not energise razor or barbed wire; entanglement can expose an animal or person to repeated shocks.

A loss of power or vegetation short can reduce deterrence. Keep the physical barrier and inspection plan under review rather than assuming electrification removes every weakness.

How are predator-fence materials estimated?

Measure vertical fence and base-treatment requirements separately. If part of one roll is turned or buried, subtract that portion from the available upright height. A separate apron needs its own width, joints, corners and fastening estimate.

For example, an illustrative 120 m length plus 5 m of planned extra material gives 125 m, or three 50 m rolls for one continuous layer. This does not determine the required base width, attachment or above-ground height.

Count supports and corners from a measured layout. Include gates, changes in level, vulnerable crossings and repair stock. Do not apply the typical roll-mesh support spacing as a universal predator-fence engineering detail.

How should coating and economy materials be selected?

For the complete explanation of zinc, alloy and outer coating systems, read the WFSA Corrosion, Galvanizing & Protective Coatings Guide.

Select protection from exposure, specification and required service life. Soil, moisture, fertiliser and animal waste can be aggressive even inland. Light/commercial and heavier/heavy galvanising, Zn/Al and polymer systems are different specifications.

Do not substitute an economy product where required diameter, strength, coating or certification cannot be confirmed. Mzansi / Econo can serve suitable price-sensitive general applications; that range label does not establish suitability for a specific exclusion design.

No coating-life or animal-exclusion warranty is created by this guide. Statutory consumer rights remain where applicable.

What is the inspection and management plan?

Inspect the base, joins, gates, anchors and crossings regularly and after storms, fire or evidence of digging. Repair an opening promptly; repeated use can enlarge it. Keep records of faults and likely access points so repairs address the cause.

Fence measures can be combined with appropriate livestock-management practices, protected lambing areas or other professionally assessed non-lethal methods. Fencing is one part of a broader plan, not an assurance that every livestock loss is prevented.

Confirm current provincial, environmental, veterinary and project-specific requirements. This material guide does not authorise trapping, poisoning, lethal control or wildlife relocation.

What should WFSA receive for a quote?

Send the target animals, livestock, location, measured perimeter, planned height, base-treatment detail, soil, exposure and gate/crossing layout. Specify aperture, diameter, coating and required support components.

Confirm branch availability and quantities from the approved design before buying. Plan access for construction, inspection and repairs.

Which supporting components should be specified?

The netting is only one part of the assembly. Specify posts, standards, stays and bracing for the approved perimeter layout. Where the design includes separate line or support wires, select their actual diameter, strength and coating using the high-strain wire guide; tensioning wire does not replace netting attachment or ground restraint.

Barbed wire may be part of an assessed agricultural boundary, but it is not a default predator-exclusion detail and must not be electrified. Select any ground staples, pegs, anchors and compatible fasteners from the actual soil and apron design.

Frequently Asked Questions

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