Electric Net Q’s

[Scooby308]

Greetings all:

I am starting a homestead…I have been looking at options for fencing. The big picture sees poultry, American Guinea Hogs, and Nubian & Boer goats. I have heard you need a stronger fence for goats than anything. 6 joules or higher is what I am being told is recommended for goats. Would this be too strong for poultry?

I am building a tractor on an old camper frame so I can easily move it. The plan is to make the run out of the electric net so I can move the whole system as needed (herd in the birds, lock the door, move the fence then tractor, open the door, viola…fresh grass).

I would like to make everything as compatible as possible so I can borrow fencing from one run to extend (or shorten another run).

Never used any type of electric fence, but it seems the best option for predator deterrence. Also, I am going solar on this because it will be in areas where electric service is unavailable.

Thanks,
Noob aka Christopher

 

[Scooby308]

Anyone? Did I post this in the wrong place? I have read some posts on it here; did I miss one that answers these questions?

Thanks

 

[BigECarter]

I am probably going to use electronet poultry fencing. Since the electro part of the fencing is designed to deter dogs, coyotes, foxes, etc., I would think it is strong enough for goats. I will probably get the 100' version that has more supports and is thus less likely to short out on grass. You can combine multiple sections of fencing. The solar option is pretty pricey - I am planning on using a battery charger, at least starting out.

I suggest looking at the electronet fencing and compare between the poultry version and the livestock version. Once big difference is the size of the mesh - the livestock version is too large to contain chickens. There may also be differences in where the hot wire is located - keeping goats in vs. the inquisitive carnivore nose sniffing along the base of the fencing.

Unfortunately, I have no practical experience to offer - just what I have gleaned from research.

- E

 

[Contrary]

Greetings all:

I am starting a homestead…I have been looking at options for fencing. The big picture sees poultry, American Guinea Hogs, and Nubian & Boer goats. I have heard you need a stronger fence for goats than anything. 6 joules or higher is what I am being told is recommended for goats. Would this be too strong for poultry?

I use Premier 1's fencing, and if I had a similar question the first thing I would do is contact their customer service department.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I use Premier 1's fencing, and if I had a similar question the first thing I would do is contact their customer service department. 

This would also be my suggestion. I'm sure Premier has heard this question many times.

I use Premier's electric netting for chickens but I'm not sure how well it would work for goats, especially if you have a billy. One weakness of the electric netting is that if a larger animal hits it running, it can break the posts. I had a deer to that to mine one night. It broke a corner support post.

I'd think goats would learn to avoid it after a few shocks, though I'm not sure about billy's learning anything, but for sheep that stampede easily electric netting might not be a great choice.

The electricit netting is not to keep the chickens in; it's to keep other things out. One possible solution might be to have a portable electric fence with portable non-electric netting to keep the chickens in. But I have not used it for goats so I just don't feel comfortable making a true recommendation.

Editted to add. The chicken's feathers pretty well insulate them from the electricity, so they can get through holes in larger netting. But if a chicken hits the fence with its comb or wattles, it will get a shock. I've seen that happen several times, especially with my rooster and his big comb and wattles. Several times, which means he had trouble learning to avoid it.

 

[akovia]

Harvey Ussery covers this subject in great detail in his new book. I highly recommend it if you are going to integrate other livestock with your chicken program.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Small-Sca...340988868&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=Harcey+Ussery