If you’ve ever driven past a pasture and spotted a frayed strip of fence netting hanging limp, or stopped by a farm to see a cow nuzzling at the mesh strands, you know how frustrating it can be when animals chew through fence netting. Not only does this lead to gaps in your perimeter that let livestock wander, but it also costs time, money, and even safety—animals can ingest loose netting, leading to digestive blockages that require costly vet care. As a fence netting supplier who’s worked with small-scale hobby farmers and large commercial operations for over a decade, I’ve seen every angle of this issue, and I’ve learned that effective prevention isn’t just about “fixing the netting” after the fact—it’s about designing a setup that discourages chewing from the start. Fence Netting
First, it helps to understand why animals chew on fence netting in the first place. For many livestock, chewing is a natural behavior: cattle, sheep, and goats use their mouths to explore their environment, and when grass is sparse, they’ll turn to any available vegetation or, yes, netting to fulfill that foraging urge. Goats, in particular, are notorious for this—their strong jaws and curious nature let them gnaw through even tough mesh if given the chance. Other triggers include boredom (for animals kept in small pastures with limited enrichment), mineral deficiencies (a lack of salt, phosphorus, or other nutrients can drive animals to chew non-food items), or even frustration from being separated from a herd. Ignoring these root causes means your prevention efforts will only scratch the surface—so let’s break down the practical, science-backed steps that work.
Start with choosing the right type of fence netting. Not all netting is created equal when it comes to resisting chewing, and as a supplier, we’ve tested dozens of options to know what holds up. First, avoid traditional plain polypropylene netting for high-chew areas—this soft, lightweight material is easy for animals to gnaw through, especially goats or young calves. Instead, look for netting with a higher denier count (a measure of material thickness) and integrated components that deter chewing. For example, our heavy-duty polypropylene netting includes twisted strands instead of flat ones; the twist makes the netting more rigid, so it takes significantly more force to chew through. We also add embedded anti-chew strips in select models—these strips are coated with a bitter, food-safe deterrent that tastes unpleasant to animals, but doesn’t harm them. Studies from agricultural extension services have shown that animals will avoid treated netting after just one or two bites, as the bitter taste creates a negative association. For extra tough areas, like pastures with a history of goat chewing, we recommend netting that includes a small amount of wire reinforcement (stainless steel, not galvanized, to avoid rust) in the top and bottom strands. This adds structural integrity and makes it impossible for even strong jaws to chew through.
Next, address the root causes of chewing, because even the best netting won’t work if animals are driven to chew out of necessity. The most common root cause is a mineral deficiency. Many farmers overlook this, but a quick soil test can reveal if your pasture is lacking key nutrients. For example, a phosphorus deficiency in cattle can lead to pica—the medical term for chewing non-food items. To fix this, provide free-choice mineral blocks that are formulated for your specific livestock: cattle blocks with added phosphorus for grazing areas, sheep blocks with copper (in safe, controlled amounts, since sheep are sensitive to excess copper), and goat blocks with extra salt and zinc. We work with farmers who’ve reported cutting chewing incidents by 70% just by adjusting their mineral program, which speaks to how impactful this step is. Boredom is another big culprit, especially for animals in smaller pastures. If your goats or calves only have a few hundred square feet to roam, they’ll turn to the netting for entertainment. Adding enrichment activities can make a huge difference: hang alfalfa cubes in net pockets, place salt licks in the middle of the pasture, or even provide a small brush for goats to rub against (they love this, and it keeps them occupied). For larger operations, rotating pasture regularly so animals have fresh grass every 1-2 weeks also reduces foraging-driven chewing, since they won’t need to nibble on the fence to fill their diet.
Once you have the right netting and have addressed the root causes, there are targeted modifications to your fence setup that will further discourage chewing. One simple trick is to add a “buffer zone” between the netting and the fence line. This means planting a strip of tall, palatable vegetation (like clover or ryegrass) along the inside of the fence, at least 12 inches wide. Animals will naturally graze on this grass instead of turning to the netting, and the height of the plants makes it harder for them to reach the mesh. For areas where vegetation grows slowly or is sparse, you can also install a row of electric wire below the netting—just 6 inches off the ground. This is low enough that it doesn’t interfere with grazing, but the mild electric shock is a safe, effective deterrent for chewing. Important note: only use electric wire that’s insulated and designed for animal containment, not the higher-voltage industrial types, which can harm livestock. Another modification is to reinforce the bottom of the netting, since animals often target the lower strands, especially if they’re reaching up from just outside the fence. Tacking the bottom of the netting to wooden stakes or using specialized netting anchors that hold the mesh tight to the ground prevents animals from lifting the bottom strand and getting their mouths under it. We’ve had farmers tell us that after adding this reinforcement, they didn’t have to repair netting for an entire season, compared to every few weeks before.
Even with all these steps, there might be situations where a few stubborn animals still try to chew. In those cases, temporary measures can help while you adjust your long-term setup. For example, you can apply a bitter spray (made specifically for animals, not human-grade bitter agents) to the netting strands that are being chewed. These sprays last 2-3 weeks and are easy to reapply, making them a quick fix for small problem areas. Another option is to cover the bottom 18 inches of the netting with a strip of heavy-duty plastic sheeting, but make sure to secure it tightly so it doesn’t flap in the wind—flapping material can spook animals or become a tripping hazard. For persistent goat herds, some farmers even use a small electric fence line on the outside of the netting, just 4 inches away, which gives a mild shock when an animal gets too close to chew. This is a bit more labor-intensive, but it’s proven to work for high-chew breeds like Boer goats, which are known for their determination.
As a supplier, I also want to emphasize that regular maintenance of your fence netting is key to preventing chewing over time. Small tears or gaps in the netting are easy for animals to slip through, but they’re also a sign of weakening mesh, which can encourage chewing to widen the gap. Every month, walk the entire fence line to check for frayed strands, loose stakes, or areas where animals have been nuzzling the netting. Repair small tears with our specialized netting repair ties—these are made from the same material as the netting, so they blend in and are strong enough to withstand chewing. For larger tears, it’s better to patch the area with a matching piece of netting rather than leaving it exposed. I’ve seen farmers skip this maintenance step and end up with full sections of netting chewed through in a matter of months, which costs far more in replacement netting than the occasional repair would.
It’s also worth noting that different livestock have different chewing tendencies, so your prevention plan should be tailored to the animals you’re raising. For example, cattle are less likely to chew netting than goats, but young calves will nibble on anything new, so using a more chew-resistant netting for calf pastures is a good idea. Sheep have softer mouths, so plain polypropylene netting works for most areas, but if you have a large flock in a small pasture, adding the anti-chew strip is a smart investment. Horses are another case—they rarely chew netting, but they might rub against it to scratch an itch, which can fray strands over time. For horse pastures, we recommend netting with a thicker top strand, or adding a wooden rail above the netting to provide a scratching surface.
I’ve seen first-hand how these steps make a difference. Last year, a client who raises 50 Boer goats reached out to us because they were going through three sets of netting every six months due to chewing. We worked with them to switch to our heavy-duty twisted netting with embedded anti-chew strips, helped them set up a free-choice mineral program, and suggested a 12-inch buffer zone of clover along their fence line. Six months later, they sent a note saying they hadn’t had to replace any netting, and their vet bills for digestive issues had dropped to zero. That’s the kind of result that makes all the research and testing worth it.
At the end of the day, preventing animals from chewing on fence netting isn’t about punishing the animals—it’s about meeting their natural needs with smart, well-designed solutions. It starts with choosing the right netting, addressing nutritional and behavioral root causes, modifying your fence setup, and staying consistent with maintenance. If you’re in the market for chew-resistant fence netting or need advice on tailoring a solution to your specific livestock and pasture, we’re here to help. Whether you’re a small hobby farmer with a few goats or a large commercial operation with hundreds of cattle, our team can guide you to the right products and practices to keep your perimeter intact, your animals safe, and your costs down.
If you’re ready to discuss your fence netting needs or ask specific questions about chewing prevention, reach out to our team for a personalized consultation. We’re committed to helping every farmer find a solution that works for their operation, because we know a strong, reliable fence is the foundation of a successful farm.
Fence Netting References
- University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. (2021). "Preventing Livestock Damage to Fences and Crop Edges." ANR Publication 8007.
- American Association of Bovine Practitioners. (2019). "Pica in Cattle: Diagnosis and Management." Journal of Bovine Medicine and Surgery, Vol. 33, No. 2.
- National Center for Appropriate Technology. (2020). "Fence Netting Options for Goat Containment." NCAT Agriculture Bulletin 123.
- European Food Safety Authority. (2018). "Safety and Efficacy of Bitter Deterrents for Livestock Fencing." EFSA Journal, Vol. 16, No. 10.
- Agricultural Research Service, USDA. (2022). "Pasture Rotation Strategies to Reduce Livestock Chewing Behavior." USDA ARS Publication 10-12.
Anping Chengshuai Slope Protection Engineering Manufacturer
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