Electric fence?

[Feathered_Texans]

In my area there are lots of predators, especially fox’s. We live by the lake so even if I tried trapping more predators would still be there. I occasionally let my chickens free range, but only when I’m with them. Soon I will have young pullets in the outside coop and, I am worried a fox will get in since I have had predator attacks on babies before.
I am interested in purchasing an electric fence to go around the perimeter of the coop. If I do, what kind should I get and what kind is the most affordable? Also, would I need one that is single a wire and wrap a few layers, or the portable fence kind that is like a net?

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

Interested too!

 

[DobieLover]

Netting is expensive but effective with the correctly sized charger.
If you want to run wire, you'll want to use multiple strands. I would run strands at 6, 12, 18 and 24" up from the ground.
I use a 10,000V, 1.2 Joule output charger with 2 eight foot ground rods placed 10' apart in swampy soil.
Nothing has ever gotten into my pen. I use netting but a multiple strand system would be equally effective.
That being said, the multiple strands would have to go outside a chicken fence as they will just go right through the wires. Unless they're comb touches a wire, they feel nothing because of the insulating properties of their feathers.

 

[BennieAnTheJets]

Agree with DobieLover - nothing has ever gotten into our pen either and we have foxes, racoons, coyote, skunk, opossum, etc. - they tried but yelped at night and that was it - seems like they only try again when there is a next generation who has to experience the e-fence for themselves once

yes, multiple strands at all entry points (roof line, window line, floor/door) and don't forget to run hot and ground about 3 inches apart to shock a racoon that comes from the top and does not have ground contact with its feet - do need to keep birds away from that when it is on - I ran into it once and it is memorable, shall we say, even for a big critter like me

good grounding rod

I tested the spark with a metal pitch fork with a wooden handle but putting the metal prong across the wires - whoo-whheee! Blue sparks!

The emf may not be good for the birds but I did it for years and they seemed fine - can mount the fencer further away from the coop and run a wire to it if that is a concern, to keep the emf ffrom the fencer down (they will still get some from the wire being close but not as much, I think) - my fencer was right on the other side of the wall from where they roost - oops

here is a picture with some descriptions of our set-up (below)

I used a 50 mile horse fencer and aluminum wire (excellent conductor) and fence post insulators - they actually sparked in places and I had to double up on the insulators (putting one on top of the other before nailing it on and running the wire on the top on, away from the coop that can get wet in the rain)

the nice thing about the horse fencer, rod, wire, insulator combination is that you can make it any shape you want - just keep the wire from touching anything and you can run it around the coop and run and windows and doors, etc. it is firm and stays in place and lasts for years

I made a "gate" across the door with an insulated handle so that I can string the wire across the door when I lock up at night

like I said, wildlife has tried to get in, but learned not to try again - we had a few yelps at night and birds toppled everything over inside overnight due to flight, but nothing got in and no birds have been killed inside the coop so far (7 years)

Now we have the dogs and I got rid of the e-fence so they don't get sparked - hope we stay safe!

 

[Howard E]

If you are just talking about securing a coop and/or run, you should be able to do that sans the electric. Just a physical barrier. Should do that regardless. When the doors close at night, birds should be safe in a secure coop that will repel all boarders. Nothing and nobody gets in. About the only need for electric at the coop itself would be for bears. The other exception is if you existing coop is a bit flimsy and is not up to the task. If you used chicken wire, for example. Dogs and all manner of varmints can breach that with ease. If that is the case, then electric will help a lot.

But if secure, and you then want to expand their horizons during the day, that is when the electric fence shines. Some threads that may help.......

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-treatise-on-electric-fencing.1117877/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/quick-and-easy-electric-fence.1191333/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dogs-and-electric-fences.1210854/

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

What about using electric fencing with Ducks? They are messy creatures, love to play with water and make mud everywhere. - Water and Electricity doesn't mix well from my experiences…

 

[DobieLover]

They're be fine.
Keep their pool away from the fence. They are also protected by insulating feathers.
A few of my chickens got a zap on my fence. The rest learned from the ones that got zapped and everyone stays away from the fence. No one was hurt or killed.
The chargers for electric fences pulse. The current is not on constantly.

 

[Magnolia Ducks]

What about using electric fencing with Ducks? They are messy creatures, love to play with water and make mud everywhere. - Water and Electricity doesn't mix well from my experiences…

I lost almost my whole flock to predators during the day when trying to free range. I bought them an electric netting fence for daytime use and they seem fine with it. I have not lost one since. Not sure that means it's foolproof but it seems to help. Ordered it from Premier1 and it was pricey but I was able to install by myself. I have been shocked by it and while it was unpleasantly tingly, not anything that would injure a duck. Not for ducklings though.