I use a solar powered fence, and I haven't had any problems at all. I've got two lines one about 5 inches of the ground, and one that's right along the top edge of the fence itself. I usually turn it off during the day (for my own safety) but if I'm gone during the day it's on. I don't know for sure if my chickens have ever been zapped, but with 2x4 welded wire fencing it sure is possible.
One tip I do have is that if your electric fence is close to the metal fence, make sure you ground to metal fence to the system. That way if anything tries to get under or over the wire, the contact between the two fences will cause a shock.
On an interesting side note: My neighbor about 200 feet away is only up on the weekends. He constantly has raccoons on his porch. They get his birdfeeder (which should be put away in the summer here). They get his trash all the time, and make a huge mess.
I live here, have left all sort of stuff available to them (not on purpose) and I've never seen evidence of one on my property. It doesn't mean I don't take precautions, but I'd think chicks would be a great target for them. I guess I'm doing something right.
One tip I do have is that if your electric fence is close to the metal fence, make sure you ground to metal fence to the system. That way if anything tries to get under or over the wire, the contact between the two fences will cause a shock.
On an interesting side note: My neighbor about 200 feet away is only up on the weekends. He constantly has raccoons on his porch. They get his birdfeeder (which should be put away in the summer here). They get his trash all the time, and make a huge mess.
I live here, have left all sort of stuff available to them (not on purpose) and I've never seen evidence of one on my property. It doesn't mean I don't take precautions, but I'd think chicks would be a great target for them. I guess I'm doing something right.
