Alternatives to Bullets

[JackE]

Your fox is being a bit more easier on your flock, then my fox was on mine. I lost 9 out of 11, within just a couple of hours, in one daylight attack. Then, a couple of months later, I lost 7 more in another day attack. The fox was interrupted in the last attack, or I would have probably lost more. I really enjoyed letting them freerange around the property. Got away with it for almost a full year, with no problem. When I got home from work, they would all come running up to greet me. (Really they were looking for a handout, I carried some scratch in the truck.) The answer for me was electrified poultry net, from Premier. Started out with 300'. It worked so well, I went and bought 350' more. The chickens get to come out every day and roam around in a pretty big area. And all the fox can do, is sit and watch them. They get a 80000V snootful of the fence, they forget all bout having chicken for dinner.

 

[Catnip5]

Wow, JackE that looks huge ~ do the chickens get shocked or are they wise to the electricity? Can they fly over it? Have you lost any to aerial predators? Finally, how difficult was it to install and how deep does it go in the ground and is it on all the time (ie nightime)?
Happy chickens I bet! Roughly, what was the estimated cost for install and what does it cost to run on a monthly basis? Good stuff, thanks!

 

[enola]

Wow, JackE that looks huge ~  do the chickens get shocked or are they wise to the electricity?  Can they fly over it?  Have you lost any to aerial predators?  Finally, how difficult was it to install and how deep does it go in the ground and is it on all the time (ie nightime)?
Happy chickens I bet!  Roughly, what was the estimated cost for install and what does it cost to run on a monthly basis?  Good stuff, thanks!

This is the fencing I pm'd you about. Very easy to install.

 

[Catnip5]

Super helpful JackE & enola!!! (Torilovessmiles too Thanks again one and all ~ BYC has been a fantastic resource and I do appreciate all the helpful feedback and ideas!

 

[Catnip5]

For those of you using electric netting/fencing - do you take it down in the winter or leave it up? I expect the chickens will not have much interest in roaming in snow higher than they are, lol, so the predator risk is diminished considerably, I would think, thereby eliminating the need to have the fence up?

 

[JackE]

Wow, JackE that looks huge ~ do the chickens get shocked or are they wise to the electricity? Can they fly over it? Have you lost any to aerial predators? Finally, how difficult was it to install and how deep does it go in the ground and is it on all the time (ie nightime)?
Happy chickens I bet! Roughly, what was the estimated cost for install and what does it cost to run on a monthly basis? Good stuff, thanks!

It is kinda huge. When I first put the fence up, I had one bird go over it. I clipped one of her wings, and that ended that. She has not gone over, in over three years now. And I don't even have to clip a wing. As far as the birds getting shocked. The first couple of days, they were curious, and a few of them got zapped. It was real obvious, when they got hit by the fence. But there is no damage done, and they quickly learn to respect the fence. I lost one to a hawk a year ago. I provide the chickens with hiding places, and they are usually really tuned in to airborne threats, but she must not have been paying attention that day. The fence (Netting) is VERY easy to install. Each post, depending on what you order, has one or two spikes at the bottom. All you do is step the post in, and go to the next. The fence is energised 24/7. The electric draw is next to nothing, not even noticeable on the bill. You can get a solar charger if you want. Here's a link to what I have. It ain't the cheapest way to go. But, you can surround a far larger area for way less, than a wood framed, hardware clothed "Run" a fraction of the size.

http://www.premier1supplies.com/fencing.php?mode=detail&fence_id=93

 

[JackE]

For those of you using electric netting/fencing - do you take it down in the winter or leave it up? I expect the chickens will not have much interest in roaming in snow higher than they are, lol, so the predator risk is diminished considerably, I would think, thereby eliminating the need to have the fence up?

I leave mine up year round. If I get a powdery type snow, I have cleared the fenceline with a broom. But, if it's a heavy wet snow, I just turn the fence off. Even with the fence turned off, I've had no problems. I think the predators in my area have all had a taste of the fence, and give it a wide berth. As far as chickens in snow goes. My birds don't seem to like it too much. Unless I clear the ramp area, by the pop-door, they seem perfectly content to just stay in.

 

[Catnip5]

I agree JackE, it's much larger and affords them more room than a straight hardware cloth run. I was getting confused with all their choices so the link was very helpful. I do think it's going to be the way to keep them safe and they'll still have access to the trees and bushes they've come to enjoy. Thanks so much for the information!

 

[Catnip5]

Awww, cute picture! Maine winters are pretty challenging so I expect they'll be happy staying in and dry. So the fence is permenant in your situation. Probably easier to leave it up then take it down and store it? Hmmmm....whole new world this chicken business...they are wonderful little creatures but clearly they are on everyone's menu...except mine, lol.

 

[123RedBeard]

Just remember when working near the electric fence to turn it off (or unplug it!) you will probably only need to get "bit" (shocked) once to remember!

The bottom strand is not "hot" ... So that can be in contact with the ground and grass, and held down with stakes if you wish ... But wet grass or brush will short out the "hot" wires, and render the fence useless ... As you can see in the previous pictures that Jack has put out some kind of weed/grass killer to solve that problem ... Some choose to just mow a short (height wise) path nearby, and move the fence every couple of weeks ...

Have a good ground(s) rod is also important, a damp location near the fence is best ...

ETA:
Don't forget to order a "gate kit" too ... It will make your life so much easier! (I sure like spending other peoples money (OPM)!) and less "Shocking"!