Electric fence atop 7' enclosure to stop raccoons from scaling? +/-

[mjuenem]

I have a 12x12 chain link enclosure 7' tall. It is covered by bird netting. I had a raccoon scale the fence and drop inside when the bird netting tore. Rather than trying to cover the entire top in chicken wire (I would need to make a truss structure to hold the wire 3' above the 7' pen so I can raise the top of my henhouse now and then whereas now I just raise up the bird net) $$. Why not put an electric fence on insulators about 3" above the top frame of the enclosure? Seems quick, easy and effective.

 

[Hoss1975]

I would put the hot wire about half way up the fence.

 

[mjuenem]

Quote:
I was hoping to keep it out of reach of most humans.

 

[mdbokc]

The humans will only touch it once or twice. Not a problem.

I like down low and about half way up. No digging and no climbing. The top won't hurt any. I have hot wires running across the top of a metal shed that serves as the end of the run. Had a raccoon got on top of that and then go into the run through a bush opening in the top. After hearing the screaming and seeing the pulled wire on top of the shed the next morning, I knew where he hit it that night. Haven't been on the shed top since.

A single wire can be climbed over by the raccoon, multiple wires will not be tampered with more than once or twice.

 

[Stingrayg4]

I live in serious raccoon country and as such my run has to be totally enclosed. I'd think you'd be better off just taking the extra time and money and enclosing the top of yours rather than fooling around with electric fencing. Raccoons are crazy smart, there's a strong possibility that they'd be able to figure out a way to get around the hot wire.

-S

 

[twentynine]

As suggested multiple wires. I keep a wire about 12" above ground level. Seems to take care of diggers and sightseers.

I warn visiters of the wire and what it would do to them, strange as it sounds I have a few people touch it just to see if I was telling the truth.

 

[Hunter0704]

Chillin with my Peeps....I had seen on BYC a few months ago where a huge enclosed area was covered with a pitched roof, attached to the chain link fence.
I did some searching and found this one that is very nice also. Check it out! It will save your birds and your stress level.

www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=562900

If for some reason the link above doesn't work, search "roofs for chain link fence" and it will come up. Good luck!