Electric fencing

[esjro]

We have electric poultry netting from Premier. There are lots of foxes around, so I like the design better than the types with strands - the whole netting is electrified. So far no issues with the foxes, though it doesn't solve the hawk problem. We also bought the tester too, because leaves, weeds and grasses growing underneath it can drop the voltage.

 

[crtrlovr]

This may not belong here, and if that be the case, I apologize but it goes along w/ the electric fence issue. For those who've had the premier net fencing for a while, do you use Roundup or some other herbicide to keep grass & weed growth down under the fence? If so, is it safe for chickens to eat? Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[saboyd]

I have a single strand of electric fence around the bottom of the chicken coop about 3-4 inches of the ground. We have a couple of dogs and they have got popped a few times, but they soon learned not get too close.

It works well for us. I have a light switch that runs electric to an outlet and I just flip the switch at night and turn it off during the day since my chickens free range almost everyday...

We too have had a couple of rats that got cooked and a squirrel...

 

[cmom]

So far my electric fence is working good. I did buy a tester and I have gotten zapped myself so I know it's working. We bought everything heavy duty. Next weekend I will be moving the juveniles next to the big girls. I am going to electrify it too. I also have a fence inside the electric fence so if any critter get past the electric fence then they have to climb over or dig under the regular fence. I have the electric fence about 4 inches away from the regular fence.

 

[esjro]

crtrlovr, no, I check the voltage frequently and take a hoe to any weeds that get out of control underneath it. I have noticed my barred rock eating the weeds growing out from under the fence too which helps - she doesn't touch the fence with her head though when she does this so I guess she doesn't get shocked.

 

[Jay13]

Quote:
Generally speaking, chickens won't get shocked if they just barely touch an electric fence since you have to be grounded in order to get zapped. this is the same reason that birds can sit on electric lines and not get fried. My chickens use to get zapped all the time before we removed the excess line inside the pen because they would try and step over it, so their foot on the ground and a foot on the wire would complete the circuit and :::zap::: They would also get zapped if they tried to pull their head back and the line went under their feathers to contact the skin. They were definitely NOT Happy with the shock. Something to be aware of if having electric fencing near the ground where the chickens may have access.