I really hope the electric fence does its job.

[Morrigan]

So the wire is on the same side as the bobcat? It looks like the insulators are on the inside part--that is why I ask.

Yes, the insulators are on the same side as the bobcat as well -- the angle at which the shot was taken is creating a bit of an optical illusion, but they are on the outside of the fence.

When a predator approaches an unknown obstacle (fence), it will never just decide to "hey I'm going to leap over this because I can jump 6 feet in the air". It has no idea what's on the other side or what it's landing on. They take a cautionary/investigative approach. Walking along the fence and will eventually make contact with it at ground level; either brushing against it, touching it with its nose or paw/foot. This is where you want the high voltage wires; within 3 feet of ground level and starting an inch or 2 off the ground.

That's good to know, and how we have it set up. I've noticed that after initially being terrified of going anywhere near the fence, over time, my dogs have figured out that they can walk up to within a few of inches of the wire to watch the chickens. I'm assuming (hoping) that the bobcat has gone through something similar, and that just because it's walking along the fence line, doesn't mean it hasn't already been shocked and respects the fence. The whole perimeter of our property, including the side the chicken yard abuts to, has become something of a game trail, as we clear a few feet of brush away from the fence for fire protection purposes.

 

[roosterhavoc]

I would say the fence is working since the bobcat didn’t get any birds. I’d still try to catch/kill him if you let your birds out during the day at all.
I’ve seen foxes touch the fence like was previously said. They approach pretty slowly and the two I’ve watched both touched the wire with their nose. One fell to his stomach and the other jumped back like 10 ft and both were sneezing lol. A wet nose probably makes it worse.

 

[Howard E]

I would say the fence is working since the bobcat didn’t get any birds. I’d still try to catch/kill him if you let your birds out during the day at all.
I’ve seen foxes touch the fence like was previously said. They approach pretty slowly and the two I’ve watched both touched the wire with their nose. One fell to his stomach and the other jumped back like 10 ft and both were sneezing lol. A wet nose probably makes it worse.

Curious what type of fence charger you have and best guess on voltage?

Of the animals I've actually seen get it, three were dogs and one barn cat. The dogs all let out an involuntary shrill yelp, and all three headed for the horizon at best possible speed.

The barn cat was crawling under when he got it in the back. Shot forward about 20 feet, where it danced around in circles......reminded me of a hooked bluegill on a cane pole....all the while squalling like a stuck pig. It then shot up a nearby tree.....stopped for a second to look around.....came back down to run around in more circles and then it too headed for the horizon......went airborne through the fence and didn't stop until it was 100 feet away.......where it turned to run back across the front lawn.......and a few moment later, I saw it emerge on the other side of the house, still going full speed back to the barn.

But I'm running a 3 joule / 30 mile fencer on a short length of fence. Volt meter shows 13,000 volts plus. A recent test of a short fence had it up to 16,000 volts.



No sneezes, winces or other half measures. For most, I suspect this is the closest thing to a near death experience any of them had and one that can only be traced to the fence. An extremely unpleasant experience they have no intention of ever repeating.

 

[Howard E]

I guess my point is when you are shopping for a fencer, and you are on the bubble as to what is enough, bigger (joules) is better. You want it to pack a wallop. No tickles......go for the near death experience.

 

[Northern.Ontario]

Curious what type of fence charger you have and best guess on voltage?

Of the animals I've actually seen get it, three were dogs and one barn cat. The dogs all let out an involuntary shrill yelp, and all three headed for the horizon at best possible speed.

The barn cat was crawling under when he got it in the back. Shot forward about 20 feet, where it danced around in circles......reminded me of a hooked bluegill on a cane pole....all the while squalling like a stuck pig. It then shot up a nearby tree.....stopped for a second to look around.....came back down to run around in more circles and then it too headed for the horizon......went airborne through the fence and didn't stop until it was 100 feet away.......where it turned to run back across the front lawn.......and a few moment later, I saw it emerge on the other side of the house, still going full speed back to the barn.

But I'm running a 3 joule / 30 mile fencer on a short length of fence. Volt meter shows 13,000 volts plus. A recent test of a short fence had it up to 16,000 volts.

View attachment 1544236

No sneezes, winces or other half measures. For most, I suspect this is the closest thing to a near death experience any of them had and one that can only be traced to the fence. An extremely unpleasant experience they have no intention of ever repeating.

Nice voltage!! My energizer is only 1.6 joules and puts out 7000-8000 volts. I want to get a bigger one; 30-100 joules.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Curious what type of fence charger you have and best guess on voltage?

Of the animals I've actually seen get it, three were dogs and one barn cat. The dogs all let out an involuntary shrill yelp, and all three headed for the horizon at best possible speed.

The barn cat was crawling under when he got it in the back. Shot forward about 20 feet, where it danced around in circles......reminded me of a hooked bluegill on a cane pole....all the while squalling like a stuck pig. It then shot up a nearby tree.....stopped for a second to look around.....came back down to run around in more circles and then it too headed for the horizon......went airborne through the fence and didn't stop until it was 100 feet away.......where it turned to run back across the front lawn.......and a few moment later, I saw it emerge on the other side of the house, still going full speed back to the barn.

But I'm running a 3 joule / 30 mile fencer on a short length of fence. Volt meter shows 13,000 volts plus. A recent test of a short fence had it up to 16,000 volts.

View attachment 1544236

No sneezes, winces or other half measures. For most, I suspect this is the closest thing to a near death experience any of them had and one that can only be traced to the fence. An extremely unpleasant experience they have no intention of ever repeating.

Honestly I can’t remember. I’m not home. I have two, both will drop an 80 lb Doberman right off his feet and send him squealing. The foxes I saw touch both took off like a bat out of hell as soon as they touched it or got off the ground. I was just close on my deck watching. The birds saw them come out of the woods and already raising hell.

 

[Morrigan]

Last night's offering. This is why they don't get to free range outside the fence.

 

[Howard E]

Good call on the NO free range. True free ranged birds are always at risk to predators. Most should do as you are and YARD their birds. Create an exterior boundary of protection to keep the birds in and predators out. Provide them with cover and grazing options and they will be happy.....and safe. An E fence does that better than most.

I used to think baiting the hot wire was bad form........cheating more or less. But after reading such a suggestion in the operating instructions that came with one of my fencers, it began to make sense to do so. To hasten the predator's journey of discovery of what they might expect if they tried to test the fence. Indeed.....please do.

 

[Melky]

you could use a device, which I cannot remember what it is called,but it makes it look like a large animal is watching and it has two red or green dots that blink to look like an actual animal

These are solar predator lights by predatorguard or nightguard. I do use them and it works ok. Have to change them out once a year. Electric fence ok to. Probably don’t need bait on fence just the protection. Goal is to repel not attract. Game cameras are effective in alerting you to what visits your area when not able to monitor yourself.

 

[Howard E]

Devices that mimic the glow of a predator's eyes sound good, but when you dig into it, do not make sense. Predator's eyes don't glow. The parts of their eyes than enable their night vision reflect light.....what WE see as glowing eyes if we shine a light in their direction and they look back at us. But other predators don't walk around with flashlights. They have never seen a predator's eye glow, so a glowing red or green dot means nothing to them. Save your money on these devices and spend it to upgrade your fencer!