How to Install Y Post and Star Picket Fence | Dutai
Installing a Y post (also called star picket) fence correctly is the difference between a fence that lasts 15 years and one that sags after one season. This guide walks through fence post spacing, driving, straining and fixing wire for a professional result on any farm or ranch.
What You Need Before Starting
For a standard farm fence you need Y posts (star pickets), a post driver or mechanical driver, strainer posts for corners and ends, barbed wire or woven wire, tie wire or clips, and a strainer tool. Check the soil: soft ground is easy to drive, rocky or clay ground may need pre-drilled holes or concrete for strainer posts.
Fence Post Spacing: How Far Apart Should Y Posts Be?
For sheep and goat fences, space Y posts 2-3 meters apart. For cattle fences, 2.5-3 meters is standard with 5-6 strands of barbed wire. If you use high-tensile wire with droppers, line posts can be spaced 6-10 meters. Always place strainer posts at every corner, gate end and change of direction, no more than 100 meters apart on long runs.
Driving Y Posts into the Ground
Using a manual or mechanical driver
Drive the Y post so the deepest rib faces the direction of wire tension. Bury the post to a depth of at least 300-400mm (about one quarter of its length). Use a post driver with a cap to avoid mushrooming the top, or use a mechanical driver for long runs. For hard ground, wetting the soil or pre-drilling a pilot hole saves time.
Level and line
Check that posts are plumb and in a straight line before tensioning wire. A slight lean toward the tension direction is acceptable; leaning the wrong way makes the fence pull over in time. Use a string line along the fence to keep posts aligned.
Fixing Wire to Y Posts
Use galvanized tie wire or purpose-made fence clips to fix each strand to the Y post. Fix the wire on the inside face of the post so livestock pushing against the fence presses the post into the ground instead of lifting it. Tighten wire with a strainer, working from the lowest strand upward, and re-tighten after the first wet season.
Corner and Strainer Posts
Use heavier strainer posts at corners and gate ends, set at least 600mm deep with concrete if possible. Install a diagonal brace or angle stay between the strainer post and the first line post to absorb wire tension. This is the most common failure point of farm fences, so it deserves the most care.
Choosing the Right Y Post Size
Choose 1.65m or 1.8m posts for 4-6 strand cattle fences, and 1.2-1.5m posts for small stock or temporary fences. Heavier posts (1.6-2.2kg) suit long permanent runs; lighter posts suit hilly or temporary layouts. Hot-dip galvanized posts last longest; PVC-coated posts add a finished look for boundary lines.
FAQ
How deep should a Y post be driven?
Drive Y posts at least 300-400mm into the ground, about one quarter of the post length, for stable support.
Can Y posts be driven into rocky ground?
Yes, but pre-drill or wet the soil first. In extreme cases use a mechanical driver or pour a small concrete footing for each post.
How many strands of barbed wire do I need?
Use 4-6 strands for cattle, 5-6 for sheep, and 6-8 strands for security fences depending on animal pressure.
Do I need concrete for every Y post?
No. Line posts can be driven directly; concrete is recommended only for strainer, corner and gate posts.
Related Products
See our hot-dip galvanized Y post and star picket for specifications, or browse the full Y post category.
Contact Dutai Wire Mesh
Tell us your fence length, post size and wire type, and we will provide factory-direct pricing and loading plans within 24 hours.
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