How to Fence a Breeding Paddock — 8/90/15 Mesh Guide

A breeding paddock fence has one job: keep every single lamb inside and every single predator outside. Standard fencing with 30cm vertical spacing doesn't cut it — lambs slip through, foxes squeeze in, and you lose stock. The 8/90/15 mesh is purpose-built for this job, and here's how to install it properly.

WHY 8/90/15 SPECIFICALLY?

The numbers tell the story: 8 horizontal wires, 900mm mesh height, and 15cm vertical spacing. That 15cm spacing is exactly half of the standard 30cm, which means the gaps in the mesh are too small for newborn lambs to push through and too tight for foxes to squeeze past.

The 8 horizontal wires in 900mm height gives you spacing of approximately 115mm between line wires at the bottom (where it matters most) tapering to wider gaps at the top. Combined with the 15cm verticals, every opening in the mesh is small enough to contain even the tiniest Merino lambs.

At $440 per 200m roll, it's more expensive than standard 8/90/30 at $310/200m. That's about $0.65/m extra on the mesh alone. For a dedicated breeding paddock, it's the best investment you'll make.

PLANNING YOUR BREEDING PADDOCK

Before you start building, think about these factors:

Size: A breeding paddock doesn't need to be huge. Many producers use 5-20 acres — enough for the breeding mob during lambing, small enough to monitor closely. You're not running this as a permanent grazing paddock.

Location: Choose a paddock close to the house or shed where you can check ewes easily, especially during night lambing. Flat or gently sloping ground is ideal — steep terrain creates gaps under the mesh.

Water: The paddock needs reliable water. You don't want ewes trailing long distances to water troughs during lambing.

Shelter: Some natural shelter (tree lines, hills) protects newborn lambs from wind and cold. A paddock with zero shelter is a poor choice for lambing.

MATERIALS LIST FOR A 500M BREEDING PADDOCK PERIMETER

This is a realistic size for a dedicated lambing paddock on a Central West property:

Mesh — 8/90/15:

  • 3 rolls x $440 = $1,320 (600m total, allows for offcuts and overlap)

Star pickets — 180cm black bitumen at $8.40 each, 4m spacing:

  • 125 pickets x $8.40 = $1,050

Strainer assemblies — assuming a roughly rectangular paddock (4 corners + 1 gate + 2 intermediate strainers = 7 assemblies):

  • 7 strainer posts x $70 = $490
  • 14 stays (40nb) x $25 = $350
  • Hardware and concrete: ~$200

Barbed wire — bottom wire and top wire, 1.8mm MT at $125/500m:

  • 2 rolls x $125 = $250

Gate — 1 x 12ft N-brace:

  • $145

Clips, tie wire, sundries:

  • ~$150

TOTAL: approximately $3,955 ex GST

That's about $7.90/m — not cheap, but this is the paddock where your income is literally being born.

INSTALLATION GUIDE

Step 1: Set your strainer assemblies first. These are the backbone of the fence. For a breeding paddock, use treated hardwood strainer posts minimum 150mm diameter, set 700mm deep. Every assembly gets a horizontal stay and a diagonal brace.

Step 2: Run a bottom barbed wire first, 50mm above ground level or even pegged to the ground surface. This wire prevents predators from pushing under the mesh and stops lambs from wriggling underneath. Use 1.8mm MT barbed wire for durability.

Step 3: Drive pickets at 4m spacing. Don't stretch this to 5m — the tighter spacing keeps the mesh firm to the ground across undulations. Use 180cm heavy pickets (2.1kg/m) and drive them to at least 400mm depth. Make sure the lugs face the stock side.

Step 4: Roll out the 8/90/15 mesh along the stock side of the pickets. Start at a strainer, tension the mesh, and secure it to the post. Work along the line, attaching the mesh to each picket with at least 4 clips per picket. Keep the bottom of the mesh tight to the ground — any gap is a failure point.

Step 5: Where the ground dips and creates a gap under the mesh, fill it. Pack earth, rocks, or even an offcut of mesh into the gap. Don't leave it.

Step 6: Run a top barbed wire above the mesh. This discourages foxes from climbing over and adds structural strength to the fence.

Step 7: Hang your gate. Make sure the bottom of the gate sits close to the ground — predators exploit gate gaps.

ADDITIONAL PREDATOR-PROOFING

For properties with serious fox or wild dog pressure:

  • Add a 300mm mesh apron on the ground on the outside of the fence
  • Install an electric offset wire at 150mm height on the outside
  • Clear vegetation 1m either side of the fence for visibility
  • Install trail cameras at vulnerable points to monitor predator activity

PRE-LAMBING FENCE CHECK

Before every lambing season, walk the entire breeding paddock fence. Check every clip, every join, every gate latch. Look for gaps under the mesh, loose bottom wire, or any damage from roos hitting the fence. Fix everything before the ewes go in.

A few hours of checking and repair now prevents lamb losses during lambing. It's the highest-return maintenance job on the whole property.

We carry 8/90/15 mesh in stock year-round at 76 Astill Drive, Orange. If you're setting up or upgrading a breeding paddock, give us a call on 0434 093 077 and we'll put together a complete materials list for your specific paddock.

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