Security signs for fences/gates.

[dianneS]

I'm in need of some signs stating that visitors are not to enter the fenced areas without authorization etc... something of that nature.

I never really thought that it would be an issue. I would never enter or open a gate to a fenced livestock pasture or enclosure without authorization. I just assumed that others would have that same courtesy.

Apparently not...

I had a client here last week who was waiting for her friend and I told her she could take a walk around the property since it was such a nice day. My husband told me later that this woman was inside the horse pasture with the horses so that she could pet the goats and dog on the other side of the fence! I about freaked out!

Now today, my sister in law was visiting and waiting for my husband to finish working on her car. She allowed herself into the goat pasture and then through the gate from the goat pasture into the horse pasture. Well, she didn't latch the adjoining gate properly and when my husband and I came home from dinner tonight all of the goats were out, as well as the LGD and luckily the horses were only in the goat pasture, not "out". I had goats in the chicken house, goats in the back yard... goats everywhere!!

I need to post some sort of sign telling people to "KEEP OUT", or somthing of that nature. Does anyone know where they sell signs like this or know of a place where I could get something printed? Any ideas for wording on a sign of this nature that would get the point across?

I really wish our entire property were fenced, but that's not possible without a gate across the driveway.

 

[patandchickens]

Home Depot type places often have a reasonable selection of generic signs like "keep out", "no unauthorized entry", "no unaccompanied entry", etc.

"Always latch gate!!" is useful but hard to find premade versions. YOu could certainly whip one up yourself though. If you want fancy, you could get a quote on it from a sign shop or somewhere that mail-orders horse stall nameplates... but I think you'd have to be pretty Martha Stewart to care that much

Also, since these were people you knew were on your property, I would suggest being Very Very Very Clear To Them (to everybody who comes over, for any reason) that they Cannot Go In With The Animals At All, So Sorry, But You Seriously Mean It.

Unfortunately though there just ARE a large number of people floating around in the world who a) think signs do not apply to them and b) see absolutely no possible harm in the world in traipsing into your stock pens and paddocks. There is not a whole big lot you can do about those people, short of padlocks (not always a great idea) or latches that are complex or hidden enough that people can't easily figure out how they work, or things like stiles and pass-throughs that casual city-type visitors may not know how to use them.

(Giant stinking mudpuddles at the gate are a surprisingly good deterrent, actually; but obviously not the most appealing idea for gateways that YOU use frequently TOO )

Pat

 

[goodhors]

I ckecked Ebay for keep out signs, found some pirate types "Keep OUT This means YOU", some humorous, some serious. A good one was "Warning, Shark Sighted, Keep Out".

On the "keep gate" search there were a variety of endings to choose from. I liked "Keep Gate Closed Our animals are fast and loose". Also "Keep Gate Closed Dogs Inside and Please Keep Gate Closed At All Times". Not sure what you would turn up with a search on Livestock signs.

If you have backer pieces, metal, plastic, you might be able to get adhesive backed signs made up less expensively for posting about the place. Wording could be specific to suit your needs and animals. Probably a big one is STAY OUT DO NOT PET THE ANIMALS. Some people with LSG dogs have dogs that will protect their flocks from stranger people! You don't want the idiots getting bitten as well as turning everyone loose.

We have a gate on the driveway to barn, kept shut unless we are using it. Often locked, and we just deal with the problem of carrying the key. Better than having nutcases out in the barnyard. Closed gate has contained any escapees when the paddock gates were not closed and fastened.
Safety measure for all concerned, our road is fairly busy, no one expects to see loose livestock in our area. We are about the only ones with animals.

Signs might need to be rude, even relatives need to GET A CLUE when visiting and leaving havoc in their wake!! One I saw was "You are NOT special!
Keep Out DOES mean YOU!! That was a custom made, but they were tired of friends thinking Keep Out sign meant everyone ELSE.

I would check at a local sign shop, we got 4-H stickers made there cheaply. If you bought a quantity, you can just put up a new one on the metal backer when it fades or wears out!

You may want to get that driveway gate, shut and lock it even without a perimeter fence. Many folks won't walk on to house, though some will. Gate could say Keep Out Unless You Have An Appointment! Gate Will Be Open For Appointments.

I can't believe how rude some folks are barging into your place and SNOOPING everywhere. Stories I hear are just amazing.

 

[animalfarm]

The driveway gate isn't FOOL proof either. I had an electric gate across my drive to allow the horses to mow the lawn. 2 ropes with flourescent pink and green ribbons tied along them and 2 bright orange traffic cones in front. The mailman came bombing down the driveway went through the whole shebang letting the horses escape and killing a turkey in the process. Tried telling me I had no business blocking the road like that. Had to have a lawyer send a bill to the post office explaining the meaning of driveway vs road and that a gate is a good indication to stop. Now I have some deep pot holes in the drive as well as a gate and I have to go to the post office to pick up my packages.

I have beware of bull signs on all my pastures even if the bulls don't happen to be in them. No one messes with bulls.

 

[dianneS]

Wow animalfarm your mailman sounds like an idiot!

People are unbelievable some times. I am concerned that family and friends may not obey the signs anyway, thinking that they don't apply to them. So I may have to come up with some rude wording to get the point across!

I wasn't home when my SIL was traipsing around our pastures, but my husband was. I already have LGD signs and my SIL ignored those. I feel like I can't ever go anywhere because my husband is not responsible enough to tell people not to enter fences or go back and double check that everything is closed properly. I guess I just can't ever leave the house if I want to be sure that everyone stays secure.

My SIL was spoken to about the mishap, she won't be doing anything like that again. I told her it could have been a disaster if the horses had gotten out. Two wethers gorged themselves on chicken feed and who knows what landscape plants the goats may have helped themselves to. I don't think that I have anything poisonous.

Turns out my SIL didn't even attempt to latch the gate properly, she just pushed on it really hard and wedged it into place since the gate only swings one direction. She pushed it in the opposite direction, then the horses did the same, pushing the gate the wrong way and bending the hinges! So I have a gate to repair now as well.

I am still trying to think of a way to fence the entire property, but it would be tricky and costly. I will be getting myself some signs in the meantime!

 

[jodief100]

I know someone who has signs stating her animals bite (they don't) and something about liability. It seems to work.

 

[ksalvagno]

I would think you could find signs at places like TSC or Rural King.

 

[freemotion]

I am still trying to think of a way to fence the entire property, but it would be tricky and costly. I will be getting myself some signs in the meantime!

Mine was tricky and costly. I did it one roll at a time, and let me tell you, it was SO worth it!

For a sign.....hmmm...."If you open this gate you will be receiving a bill for any damages. Think twice."

 

[glenolam]

You could also print out some home-made signs and laminate them. Then you can nail/tape/glue/whatever the signs to the fence posts or on a stake.

"Do you like your hand? Great! Then don't pet the animals!"
"Warning - these goats love to jump on people and cars!"

I bet you could even go back to that "Goat Trauma Org" website and print off some of their 'awesome' signs!

 

[patandchickens]

If your gates are wooden, I bet you could just PAINT a sign on the top board. "Re-latch gate immediately, OR ELSE"

Pat