For smallholders and poultry keepers, electric fencing is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect chickens, ducks, and geese — or to create small grazing areas for sheep and goats. But posts are the backbone of the system, and choosing the wrong ones can turn your fence into more hassle than it's worth.
If you've shopped around, you'll know there are plenty of cheap plastic posts and "no-name" kits available online. They look tempting at £1.50–£2 per post, but in practice they often snap within a couple of winters, lean badly in soft soil, or turn brittle in the sun.
If you want to know more then read our complete UK guide to electric fence posts
That's why most experienced smallholders recommend spending just a little more on trusted brands like Gallagher and Hotline. Their posts are still affordable, but they're built to last, saving you money (and a lot of frustration) in the long run.
Why Budget Doesn't Have to Mean Flimsy
When people hear "budget", they often think it means buying the absolute cheapest posts. But budget should really mean best value — posts that do the job reliably, without constant replacements.
Cheap imports:
- Snap at the base in frost.
- Lean after a season in wet ground.
- Fade and go brittle under UV exposure.
- Waste money over time because you end up buying replacements every couple of years.
Gallagher and Hotline posts cost a little more upfront, but their durability means you replace fewer, less often. Over ten years, they're actually cheaper.
Hotline Poultry Posts — Best for Chickens, Ducks, and Geese
Hotline has built a strong reputation with smallholders, especially for poultry fencing. Their poultry posts are designed specifically for netting systems:
- Lightweight and portable, perfect for rotational poultry runs.
- Stronger shafts than generic posts, which stop them leaning after a few months.
- Available in kits, so you can buy posts, netting, and connectors together.
- Affordable at £2.50–£4 per post, with bulk packs available.
For poultry keepers, Hotline posts hit the sweet spot: affordable, reliable, and designed for British weather.
Gallagher Plastic Posts — Best Value for Small Grazing Systems
For smallholders with sheep, goats, or mixed grazing animals, Gallagher's plastic posts are a better choice.
- UV-stabilised plastic that resists brittleness.
- Reinforced footplates to stop snapping when pushed into firm ground.
- Multiple clip heights, ideal for mixed stock or flexible paddocks.
- Still affordable at £4–£6 per post.
Budget posts may look cheaper, but once you factor in replacements, Gallagher's longer lifespan makes them the more economical choice.
Cost Per Acre (2025)
- Hotline poultry posts (for netting): ~£200–£350 per acre setup.
- Gallagher plastic posts (for sheep/goats): ~£300–£500 per acre setup.
- Cheap imports: ~£150–£250 upfront, but often double that once replacements are factored in over 5 years.
Why Avoid No-Name Posts?
Criticising other brands is easy — because the problems are well known:
- Thin plastic that bends in the sun.
- Footplates snapping the first time you push into firm ground.
- Poor UV resistance, turning chalky and brittle in two summers.
- Clips that don't hold tape properly, causing sagging and animal escapes.
Compared to this, Gallagher and Hotline posts might look more expensive at checkout, but they save endless hours of repairs and reduce the risk of stock breaking out.
Final Word: Budget Should Mean Best Value
For smallholders and poultry keepers, the "cheapest" option isn't the £2 post — it's the post that doesn't break, doesn't sag, and doesn't need replacing every year.
- Hotline poultry posts are the best value choice for chickens, ducks, and geese.
- Gallagher plastic posts are the most reliable budget-friendly option for sheep, goats, and small paddocks.
Buy cheap and you'll buy twice. Buy Gallagher or Hotline, and your "budget" fence will still be standing strong years later.
