Electric fencing recs

[lmpeebles]

Hi everybody! In April I'm planning on adding a coop to the land where we run our business - so it would be outside of town and no one living there, but someone is there 7 days a week during at least daylight hours. I'm thinking about all the ways I can predator-proof this coop and run, as I have learned from experience that the predator pressure on this land is WAY higher than for my 5 backyard chickens in the city.

So far, I'm considering electric fencing around the perimeter of the coop and run (in addition to every other predator-deterrent I can think of). BUT we have customers on the property during the weekends and I've heard stories of people's chickens electrocuting themselves on the wire, so I was thinking I'd like to make it so that the fencing is only electrified during the night, when the chicks won't be walking around. Does anyone have any electric fencing recommendations, especially perhaps a fencing I could rig up to electrify at a set time every day and turn off in the morning? Thanks in advance!

 

[wamtazlady]

Having the electricity turn on and off at a certain time shouldn't be a problem. They do make timers to do that. As to fencing, I love my Premier1 electric netting. So far have never last a chicken to a 4 legged predator while using the netting.

 

[cavemanrich]

You do have your priorities set correctly. Predator proof to the max. Most of the electrocuted chicken stories must have came from peeps using chicken fencing, rather than a Hot Wire method. The chicken fencing supposedly is also prone to fire if not used with a higher grade energizer.
Premier had an article on their site before about this. I cant find it now. Maybe they took it down since it may have been overstated.
I have a CHEAP ONE, and no fire. It is a continuous output type. The Higher dollar models are Pulse type.
A hot wire installation is slightly more labor intensive, but will keep the predators out, and if installed properly, you chickens will not get zapped.
Most predators are nocturnal, but there are enough that will hunt during day. Coyotes and fox, have no problem during day. There are others.
If you read some threads on electric fencing, you may come across posts with a proactive approach. They bait the hotwire with chicken skins, peanut butter and other things. A raccoon is one to learn very quickly. One taste of multiple Jules and will avoid returning for more. I thing other predators will also stay away once the experience the shocks. You do need overhead netting protection from flying raptors as well. No electric there.
WISHING YOU BEST.......

 

[Howard E]

If the coop is tight, and run is tight and nothing can get in (meaning built with durable, sturdy materials.......not chicken wire, for example......then do you really need an electric wire? I have one such fences.....and I may be BYC's biggest advocate of electric fences, for birds that are out and about.......but if yours are safely tucked away inside, is anything going to harm them?

But if you do go that route, and if one is determined to provide maximum protection, do not worry about killing chickens and do not worry about visitors. Light up your fence during the day too. A lot of birds get attacked in broad daylight.

Hot fences will nip the birds same as varmints, but won't kill them. Chickens may seem dumb about some things, but not hot fences. They won't get it twice. As for visitor safety, just about anywhere that sells fencing supplies also sells little yellow signs to hang on the fence, warning visitors it is hot. If they get zapped they deserved to get zapped.

 

[centrarchid]

Will birds be released to free-range during the day? What are your prospects on large dogs having access to your coop and run perimeters?

Putting charger in timer and having a fence alert warning light in highly visilble location and near expected foot traffic will help manage risk for manager and visitors.

 

[lmpeebles]

Shoot I hadn't thought to worry about coyotes and foxes in the daytime! I'm thinking we will free range during the week when I'm out there, then keep them in the coop and run during the weekends when patrons are out, so perhaps we can leave the electricity off during the weekends except on a timer to come on at night for a bit of extra protection. (I'm super paranoid because of a massacre last year that I can't quite get out of my mind I still don't know what got them or even how it/they got in, it was terrible). We let customers bring dogs but they're supposed to be leashed, and it's considered a family-friendly place, I'd hate to have kiddos get zapped even if we do have warning signs!

I was leaning towards the fencing but now I'm nervous about fire hazards as it gets very dry around here in the summers. I also didn't realize the premier1 fencing would be so expensive! Ugh, I'm going to have to think on this a bit longer. Thank y'all for your insight!

 

[m1chelle1]

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Running regular insulated hot wires doesn't carry any fire risk I've ever heard of. So that's one thing to not worry about anyway. Also way less expensive than electro netting.

 

[lazy gardener]

A well maintained fence should not be a fire risk. I'd be more worried about your customers being a fire risk than an electric fence! And, if I were you, I'd run the fence even during the day, unless the birds are out free ranging.

 

[Hopperkiller]

You do have your priorities set correctly. Predator proof to the max. Most of the electrocuted chicken stories must have came from peeps using chicken fencing, rather than a Hot Wire method. The chicken fencing supposedly is also prone to fire if not used with a higher grade energizer.
Premier had an article on their site before about this. I cant find it now. Maybe they took it down since it may have been overstated.
I have a CHEAP ONE, and no fire. It is a continuous output type. The Higher dollar models are Pulse type.
A hot wire installation is slightly more labor intensive, but will keep the predators out, and if installed properly, you chickens will not get zapped.
Most predators are nocturnal, but there are enough that will hunt during day. Coyotes and fox, have no problem during day. There are others.
If you read some threads on electric fencing, you may come across posts with a proactive approach. They bait the hotwire with chicken skins, peanut butter and other things. A raccoon is one to learn very quickly. One taste of multiple Jules and will avoid returning for more. I thing other predators will also stay away once the experience the shocks. You do need overhead netting protection from flying raptors as well. No electric there.
WISHING YOU BEST.......

As to nighttime predators i have lost 9 chickens between 11 am and 1 pm. 2 confirmed kills within 20 feet of the house. The last one i witnessed. It is coyotes. Today there was a coyote trying to get into my coop at noon when i returned from doctor. He ran off. Two hours later when i returned from borrowing a tool my wife had jumped one headed our way from other direction. I set up an electronic call and in less than 2 minutes 2 showed up from the neighbors house. They sat along the fenceline watching the call and my dog pen obout 200 yards out. Then a third showed up. I missed my offhand shot with a rimfire magnum.

I have also seen a bobcat crossing the road twice around noon.

My grasshopper control squad isnt going to be very effective penned up. They are mad at me now since they have only been let out 3 times just before roost time when i could sit watching over them since the last attack. I think a rooster is a predator call, premium grade.