Help with electric fencing?

[Highlander]

Quote:
I can't imagine why the company would say it would shock one animal and not another, fences can't distinguish between species as far as I am aware! Again I can only tell you what happened with my chickens. Yes, they did get shocked by it, but it didn't injure them in any way and they learned very quickly not to go too near it. The voltage is not high enough to cause any harm, it is meant to be an unpleasant experience therefore deterrant. My dogs only had to get shocked once about 10 months ago, now they still wont go within 20 feet of it.

 

[Amiga]

priss,

anything standing on the ground can get zapped by electric fencing (take it from one who has experienced it firsthand!).

Perhaps the person you spoke with has been told it will not harm the birds (as in, they will get shocked once and stay away from it), and they assumed that meant that birds are somehow immune. If they are in flight, up in the air, not touching the ground, it won't shock them, but if they are walking around, they can get a shock.

I looked at the setup, and it looks like the entire net is electrified. The only way I can think of that the ducks won't be at risk of getting shocked is if there is some kind of barrier on the inside of the electric fence that would keep them away from it.

Here in the states, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education has written that poultry farmers prefer the netting.

My plan is still in development - I bought electric ribbon, such as is often used by horse people, and plan to run one ribbon about six inches above the ground around their night pen and shelter, and one ribbon around the top. I am planning to also use the ribbon similarly with their movable fence as well. The charger I am buying is relatively small and works on D batteries, so it is portable, too. I will run it around the outside of their poultry fence.

(Gotta go, duckies calling . . . . .)

 

[priss]

Lol, Amiga I'm glad someone else has ducks that demand room service!
We went out and got the netting. We also got electric wire and six foot poles so we can take it up super high and stop birds of prey. I think it's going to work. I'm going to put a bit of chicken wire up to stop the ducks wandering into it. I talked to them today and they said it will shock them but won't do any long term damage. I don't even want em gettin shocked to be honest, they only got a few braincells as it is. I can't imagine Doog with even less! The husband is out there now seein to it. Yaaaay. Can't wait to zap those evil foxes!!

 

[WadeMD]

Keep in mind that birds that land on an electric line will not be shocked. They must contact both the live wire and a ground to get a jolt (same with climbing critters).

 

[rainplace]

I use the electric netting. It works great to keep out the coyotes and raccoons. It's a little bit harder to use if your land is not flat, like mine, but I have made ours work, just more work getting sags out. It does zap the ducks and geese... once, then they don't touch it anymore.

 

[priss]

Thanks guys. All advice is great. We got electrified wire to run over the top for the hawks. We're digging down so foxes can't dig under. Can't wait until it's all sorted and I can sleep without running into the garden at the slightest noise!

 

[WadeMD]

Quote:
Again - it will not stop flying animals to land on an electric wire. It will only work if they touch a grounded wire at the same time which is highly unlikely.

However, wire across the top at regular intervals will stop them from entering a pen/run. If they can't readily fly into it, they typically won't try.

 

[SillySilkyMom]

Would it help to have plastic netting on top to keep hawks and owls out? I too am considering using this type of fence for my new coop that will arrive on the weekend. I have a 32sqft run that I plan on using as well (it has top and sides all covered with hardware 1/2 inch wire) but will prop the door open to the run and allow them to free range when I am home in the little "pasture" that the electric net will allow. Problem we have here is hawks. So, can I put plastic mesh over top of the electric netting?

 

[WadeMD]

Yes, plastic netting would work. As will wire mesh or chicken wire or anything else of the sort.

I intend to run wires back and forth across mine, every 18" of so. Thats too small a gap for the birds to get into, and my space is too big (about 15'x25') to cover entirely with netting.

 

[SillySilkyMom]

Wade that sounds like a great plan. What kind of wire?