Any tips on installing electric fence

[chickendude]

I just got back from my local TSC where I purchased a ZAREBA brand electric fence. The charge is good up to 2 miles. I will be running it around my 10x20 (dog kennel) chicken run to keep those coons and other critters out. I was thinking of running one wire about 10 or 12 inches off the ground and another wire about 6 or 8 inches from the top completely around the run. If any one has any tips, hints or better ideas it would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[azelgin]

If possible, I'd lower the first wire to 4" ~ 6". Keeps curious noses from wanting to investigate much further. Works great on small dogs and other little critters. I ran three wires around my runs. One at about 6", which nailed the weenie dog almost right away, one at 18" to eliminate climbing and another at 36", to keep the mules from leaning on things. Best of luck to you.

 

[chickendude]

Thank you for your input. I will put the first wire at 4-6 inches. That does make sense.

 

[Davis5454]

I"m trying to think....I saw something that had good info on how to do fences.

I do remember that the 1st wire was very low....like 6~8".....then another higher one for mid size.

Make sure to follow the instructions closely on grounding and not to let grass grow into the lower wires.

Check the web....you'll likely find diagrams and suggestions.

I put a Zareba 50 mile charger around my 2 acres......."CRACK!!!" .......

It keeps the neighbors bull out....and my cows IN.

 

[Davis5454]

PS - If you have climbers....you can also alternate a ground wire with a hot wire....or ground your main fence. This will zap them when they connect between the 2.

 

[TexasVet]

I kept zapping myself on the wire (I'm not too bright sometimes!), so I plugged the charger into a photoelectric timer. Now it turns on at dusk and off at dawn. Keeps the little chicks from getting zapped too; a hotwire hurts the big chickens, but kills the little ones.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com

 

[chickendude]

Quote:
I will ground the fence to do just that to the climbers. Thank you.

 

[cmom]

I have electric wire going around the outside of my coop, run and my bird's yard. One night I was outside on my back patio which faces my chickens. I heard a really good "OUCH" scream like sound. Something came into contact with the electric wire. It's putting out 6000 volts. The amount of current also depends on how damp your ground is. A while back it was so dry and we were in such a drought that my voltage was around 2000 volts, but since we have had quite a bit of rain and pretty much no more drought it's at 6000 volts. I have gotten quite shocked by it myself so I imagine an animal who weighs far less than I really gets a good zap. I doubt it will be back. Some of these pictures are older pictures. I put the electric wire up initially because I believe it was a dog by the tracks, dug under my fence and killed one of my hens.

Make sure to keep the grass and weeds off the wires. I use my weedeater under my wires. Also make sure you got a big enough power supply. My ground rod is around 6+ ft under ground. I think it is a 10' or 12ft rod. I bought some splices so I can add wire if I want to. Originally as in the pictures I had two strands. Now I have 3 strands.

 

[kathyinmo]

cmom.... Is it expensive to do that? Is your fencing portable? It doesn't look stationary. What if it "tips" over?

callemin: sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread.

 

[chickendude]

I don't mind the hijack.In my opinion it adds to the thread. As for my cost I paid about $80 for the transformer, wire, some insulated brackets, 2 insulated gate handles and 3 ground rods. Not too bad in my opinion. I'm sure I will sleep better with the added protection.