Invisible Fencing

[MarchandPeeps]

We have a couple lovely hens in our suburban backyard. I'd love to get a couple more. They free range in our yard all day. We also have a nice outdoor patio, which is unfortunately their favorite spot. It used to be a great place for us to sit, relax, eat dinner... now it is a poop haven, even though I clean it every day.

I was wondering if it would be possible to install invisible fencing -- like the kind you can get for dogs (but a much much smaller voltage!). Does this exist? I love letting my girls free-range, but I would also like to regain my patio and nothing else seems to be working.

Any thoughts?

Michelle

 

[Gargoyle]

Don't the invisible fences require that all animals wear a special collar? Do they even make chicken collars, and would the chickens peck at those to get rid of them?

 

[MarchandPeeps]

I'm envisioning a little ring around their leg, about the same size as what they use to tag birds.

 

[Gargoyle]

Quote:
but then wouldn't the little electric shock be on the leg? It would need to be strong enough for them to feel, but not strong enough to hurt them, so it might be a custom engineered item.

of course, then you could patent it and market it; some quick googling makes me think it doesn't exist yet.

 

[Kevin565]

All of the birds have to wear the device to work. The collars are pretty expensive. Also you would need a very very low voltage. I do not believe they have a system that would fit this situation.

 

[MarchandPeeps]

I've been trying to convince my husband to create a system and sell it (he's an engineer). If we can work all the bugs out (humane, affordable system) it could be useful for a lot of people!

 

[Gargoyle]

Quote:
It will probably need adjustable settings on the collars- a bantam will need much less charge than a Jersey Giant.

btw, I was once in a house that had an invisible fence wire installed in a channel cut under the kitchen counter top, so the dog wouldn't jump up and grab a steak.

 

[ChickiKat]

But if the chicken is shocked are they smart enough to understand why they were shocked??

 

[Gargoyle]

Quote:
I know people who are easily shocked and aren't smart enough to understand why.

 

[Oregon Blues]

There is a weight limit on dogs and the shock collars can't be safely used if they are below that weight (10 pounds?). I suspect that a shock collar might be a bit much for a chicken.

The unit is too large for a chicken to carry it on their leg. You might have to place a band around their body. It could be carried on their back, between their wings. Be careful about stopping their heart with a electrical shock.

If you get something that works, patent it and make some money.