Digging Into Badger Safety This National Badger Day
The good news is that modern rural fencing solutions now make it possible to protect livestock, crops, forestry projects, and property boundaries while still allowing badgers to move safely through their natural habitats.
Why Badger Safety Matters
Badgers follow established routes when travelling between feeding areas and setts. When solid fencing or unsuitable wire barriers interrupt these pathways, badgers often attempt to dig underneath or force their way through.
This can lead to:
- Torn or sagging wire fencing
- Damaged stock netting
- Gaps in rural boundaries
- Increased maintenance costs
- Injury risks for livestock and wildlife
- Reduced fence effectiveness
For farms and estates, damaged fencing can quickly become an expensive and ongoing problem. For wildlife, poorly planned boundaries can disrupt natural movement patterns and create unnecessary hazards.
That’s why wildlife-friendly fencing systems are becoming increasingly important across the UK.
Creating Wildlife Corridors with Badger Gates
One of the most effective ways to balance rural security with wildlife conservation is by installing dedicated badger access points.
PastureGuard® Badger Gates are specifically designed to integrate into stock fencing and wire mesh systems, allowing badgers to pass through safely without damaging the surrounding fence structure.
Instead of forcing animals to dig under fencing or push through wire, these gates create a controlled passageway that helps maintain:
- Fence tension
- Boundary integrity
- Livestock security
- Natural wildlife movement
The two-way gravity swing system encourages badgers to use the designated opening naturally, reducing repeated pressure on surrounding fencing.
Built for Tough Rural Conditions
Rural fencing faces constant exposure to wet ground conditions, animal pressure, and changing weather. That’s why durability is essential.
Constructed from heavy-duty 4mm galvanised steel, PastureGuard® Badger Gates are designed to withstand repeated use without bending or losing alignment. Their galvanised and powder-coated finish also provides long-term resistance against rust and corrosion, making them ideal for damp ground-level installations.
For estates, forestry projects, grazing land, and conservation areas, this means fewer repairs and a more dependable long-term fencing solution.
Protecting Livestock Without Harming Wildlife
Badger activity can be particularly concerning for farms and agricultural land due to the risk of fencing damage and potential livestock exposure to disease.
Badger Netting provides a humane and effective exclusion method designed to help protect land while avoiding injury to wildlife. Unlike improvised fencing solutions, purpose-designed badger netting is built specifically to withstand pressure from burrowing and pushing without creating dangerous snags or sharp edges.
When installed correctly, including burying part of the mesh below ground level, the fencing helps discourage badgers from breaching perimeters while still maintaining animal welfare standards.
This makes it suitable for:
- Agricultural boundaries
- Livestock fields
- Embankments
- Forestry protection
- Roadside and perimeter safety
- Rewilding projects
Please be aware that under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, you must ensure your fencing does not interfere with an active sett. Always consult your local ecological guidelines during installation.
Supporting British Wildlife This National Badger Day
National Badger Day is an opportunity to recognise the importance of protecting British wildlife and to support the people who manage rural land every day.
With thoughtful fencing design and purpose-built products, it’s possible to create safe, durable boundaries that protect farmland, estates, and conservation areas without disrupting the natural behaviour of badgers.
By investing in wildlife-conscious fencing solutions, landowners can help preserve the balance between effective rural protection and responsible environmental stewardship for years to come.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about helping to preserve natural environments and help wildlife, please contact us for more information. We are available by:
- Phone on 01283 512 111
- Email at sales@firstfence.co.uk
- Live chat on our website
We can also help set you up with a trade account, so you can benefit from bulk discounts, 30-day invoicing, and delivery direct to site.
