Electric fence advice.

[dianefbarfield]

After losing my 9 chickens I am adding more hardware cloth to the run and putting an extricate wire around it. I'm not familiar with this so I got a Patriot energizer and wire. If I use chain link fence insulators, will that mean the wire is hot and not the fence? I'm sorry to be so ignorant. Also, does it jave to be a complete loop or can I skip the gate. Thank you.

 

[dianefbarfield]

After losing my 9 chickens I am adding more hardware cloth to the run and putting an extricate wire around it. I'm not familiar with this so I got a Patriot energizer and wire. If I use chain link fence insulators, will that mean the wire is hot and not the fence? I'm sorry to be so ignorant. Also, does it jave to be a complete loop or can I skip the gate. Thank you.

Electric. Sorry.

 

[Percheron chick]

Correct. The electrical pulse is not transmitted through the plastic insulators. You can do a straight line of wire and not have wire at the gate but now that is your weak spot that predators can gain access through. You can also nail 2x4s to the gate posts and go up and over the gate or they also sell spring loaded gate handles you disconnect to walk in.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

You can multiwire "Hot" the gate, too, but its a "p i t a".

 

[dianefbarfield]

Correct. The electrical pulse is not transmitted through the plastic insulators. You can do a straight line of wire and not have wire at the gate but now that is your weak spot that predators can gain access through. You can also nail 2x4s to the gate posts and go up and over the gate or they also sell spring loaded gate handles you disconnect to walk in.

Thank you so much.

 

[3KillerBs]

Here's an excellent article on electric fence: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/

 

[FowlRancher]

Can't you just turn it off when you use the gate?

 

[Percheron chick]

Sure if it's right there.

 

[dianefbarfield]

Copper pipes are so expensive. What are options for grounding rods?

 

[Aunt Angus]

Copper pipes are so expensive. What are options for grounding rods?

They sell grounding rods specifically for fencing. Not very expensive.