How to Fence Buffalo

The bison, often referred to as buffalo, is a grazing animal native to Western North America. The bison is the largest mammal in North America, and it is important to have a large grazing area when keeping bison farms. Bison can be temperamental animals. That temperament combined with their size makes it essential to use the right materials to fence them in as well as creating safe areas for humans when necessary.

Provide the bison with a large, open grassy pasture. Although shade is not necessary, it is best to provide a source of heat relief.

Choose an area with some trees, which will provide shade. Also provide large rocks. Trees and large rocks provide scratching and rubbing areas for the buffalo.

Use a minimum of 47-inch high heavy duty woven wire for the fence material. You will need enough lengths to surround the pasture area.

Use seven-foot tall heavy duty posts spaced no more than one rod apart. You will attach the woven wire to these poles from 10 inches above the ground, reaching to the top of the seven-foot poles.

Provide corrals and chutes if desired. Corrals and chutes can be readily seen by the bison and they tend to avoid them. Corrals constructed from planks will allow humans an escape area when they're dealing with an exited animal.

Discourage buffalo from trying to escape by covering pipe corrals with plywood panels. If the buffalo cannot see out, they will be less likely to try to get out.

Provide buffalo with short prairie grasses or tall grasses like wheat grass. Buffalo also need salt, essential minerals and a constant supply of fresh water for survival.