anti-dig, hot wires, or both?

[DobieLover]

This is what I was thinking of doing. Have you had any issues with predators, @DobieLover? Electric netting would be a lot easier than setting posts here because my land is rather uneven/hilly. We use netting for both our birds and our goats.

Just hawk strikes. I've witnessed 2 unsuccessful strikes and found the remnants of one successful one on a 10-week old pullet that was missing on nightly head count.
I purchased enough additional poles to double the number included with the net. That helps with uneven ground.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Just hawk strikes. I've witnessed 2 unsuccessful strikes and found the remnants of one successful one on a 10-week old pullet that was missing on nightly head count.
I purchased enough additional poles to double the number included with the net. That helps with uneven ground.

Fantastic! I'm going to cover my area with net, too, so I should be pretty good. Thanks for the input!!!

 

[Aunt Angus]

can it deliver the same punch as hot wires? if a coyote comes around i want it to never come back.

The only thing I think It wouldn't deter, or at least hinder, are mountain lions (unfortunately).

 

[DickMidnight]

The only thing I think It wouldn't deter, or at least hinder, are mountain lions (unfortunately).

do you have them by you? that’s terrifying. luckily no lions here.

if i decide to go this route i’m gonna put a huge charger on the netting.

 

[Aunt Angus]

do you have them by you? that’s terrifying. luckily no lions here.

if i decide to go this route i’m gonna put a huge charger on the netting.

We do have one in the area. I haven't seen evidence of it, but folks in local neighborhoods have. Closest sighting was 3 miles from here, but given that they roam hundreds of miles, it's safe to say we live in its territory. We close our animals up at night in locked buildings. It's the best we can do without having LGDs. I'd be down to get a good LGD or 2, but hubby is adamantly opposed.

 

[jher77]

I have a hot wire that hangs out on the 3" long yellow insulators about 3" above the ground. I've never had anything try to dig under my fence. I have a rather weak fence controller too.

I turned the bottom wire off one time and baby rabbits would run right through my fence like it wasn't there, which is 2"x2" squares. After I turned the wire back on, no more rabbits crossed.

 

[DickMidnight]

Mine keeps away the local black bear momma. And the neighbors rotten German Shepherd dogs. I power it with a 10,000 volt charger with a 1.2 Joule output.

what happens when it snows? does the netting work when the bottom, let’s say foot of it, is covered in snow?

 

[DobieLover]

what happens when it snows? does the netting work when the bottom, let’s say foot of it, is covered in snow?

No, it doesn't work as the fence grounds.
But the chickens aren't going to venture out in foot deep snow either. That's why having a large run with a solid roof is important in snow country.

 

[DickMidnight]

No, it doesn't work as the fence grounds.
But the chickens aren't going to venture out in foot deep snow either. That's why having a large run with a solid roof is important in snow country.

good point. i’m assuming they won’t want to leave the fully covered run with wind blocks in the snow

 

[Aunt Angus]

It doesn't snow much here, but my chickens don't leave the coop and run in inclement weather. My netting has worked in light snow. I go around and shake it pretty good. The output does diminish a bit, though.