Need Advice for Electric Fence "Strength"

[Fricasee]

I live in black bear country. I rarely see them in the area, but I know I need to protect my new coop as best I can.
I bought an electric fence set up and I want opinions as to it's chance of effectiveness. ( I also plan to install a motion sensor security light )

Its .5 joules and 10 miles. My coop area is small. We plan to do a three wire fence set up away from the coop four to six feet away.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Sounds like a good plan. I don't think the strength of the fence is critical since the shock effect is what works. A black bear can destroy pretty much anything it sets its mind to and I don't think electric fencing is designed to be stretched tightly like woven wire or barbed wire is.

 

[Fricasee]

Oh I meant the "electrical stregnth" not the tensile strength.

 

[JeanR]

Complete surprise a year ago, after family farm dating back to 1906, NO bear problems. Black Bears traveled the county roads lines with Chokecherries in the fall befrore denning--and saw the scat along the road, but no one had EVER SEEN a Bear in all those years. A year ago, June 6, a GRIZZLY Bear sow and 2 or 3 cubs broke into one of my poultry houses and 3 outside pens--ATE 22 breeding birds of years of selection and best ever birds!

Fish, Wildlife, "Bear Manager"; came and set up electric fending around my other two houses and brought 2 Bear traps.
Bears had moved on, and Ducks, Guineas, chickens were destroyed in 6-8 places, but nearer the mountains--I am in the valley! Trapped several and moved them away (Grizzlies can return 50 or more miles in a day or 2!).

Bear man came back and electrified by two houses, hardward cloth on the outside of 14 windows, including on doors, all connected and left the control--no charge. On at night, off daytimes, when windows can be opened. Already had hardward cloth inner frames to keep out mice, weasels, raccoons, mink, when windows were left opened hot summer nights.

The control box says 1000 V, but any shock will deter a bear--they say...... Yes, 3 strands of smooth wire should do the job. You can have a solar charger with on off for your use. G


Hardward cloth over the window on the door doesn't show, but it is there!
Good luck

 

[JeanR]

Control for electric Bear protection.

I keep in touch with the "Bear Man", who has a huge territory to keep track of the many bears (some collared) reported all summer--and I can know when the denning in the fall, means no electric on until they emerge in the Spring. First bears are usually reported by mid April and heavy snow in the mountains can bring them to the edge or into the valley early--then they are expected to stay in the mountains until fall--then the search for small fruit especially, until weather send them to their dens. So, here, they are weather controlled--but weather changes have made the past several years less predictable--and so want to have just one house of chickens after this year! Be prepared......

 

[Fricasee]

We have easy access to an outlet for our set up so I opted for an AC unit rather than solar.
I have seen one bear in our immediate yard area a month or so ago. He pulled down some hummingbird feeders and I haven't seen him since.
Thanks for your input. I appreciate it!

 

[thomasboyle]

I have a similar charger, 1/2 joule, 10 mile charger, and it puts out 8000+ volts (that's as high as my tester goes). I have black bears on a regular basis, in fact a couple of months ago, one was scratching on the side of my house! He has never touched the coop since he can't get past the electric net fence which is 48" high. I may have to get one around the house!

 

[Fricasee]

Phew, I feel better about my defenses now! Thanks.

Eventually I would like to build an enclosure all the way around with a wire roof so they can have more freedom than what is just under the coop and run.

For now I'm doing the four wire electrice fence and would like to add a temporary mesh fence inside of it so I can let them out to run a little when I'm nearby.

I've had my girls for three days now and am seeing characters emerge. My Delaware (Sam) is the most dominant and inquisitive, My Barred Rock (Henry) is a supermodel, My two Araucana's (Hippie Chick and Autumn are clowns and the best bug catchers) , my Golden Buff (Ginger) is the most affectionate. She will sit in my lap and coo. Closes her eyes when I rub her head. Not quite sure yet about the Speckled Sussex (Snowflake) she's quiet and shy. Maybe need to spend a little more time with her.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I have a similar charger, 1/2 joule, 10 mile charger, and it puts out 8000+ volts (that's as high as my tester goes). I have black bears on a regular basis, in fact a couple of months ago, one was scratching on the side of my house! He has never touched the coop since he can't get past the electric net fence which is 48" high. I may have to get one around the house!

Phew, I feel better about my defenses now! Thanks.

Eventually I would like to build an enclosure all the way around with a wire roof so they can have more freedom than what is just under the coop and run.

For now I'm doing the four wire electrice fence and would like to add a temporary mesh fence inside of it so I can let them out to run a little when I'm nearby.

I've had my girls for three days now and am seeing characters emerge. My Delaware (Sam) is the most dominant and inquisitive, My Barred Rock (Henry) is a supermodel, My two Araucana's (Hippie Chick and Autumn are clowns and the best bug catchers) , my Golden Buff (Ginger) is the most affectionate. She will sit in my lap and coo. Closes her eyes when I rub her head. Not quite sure yet about the Speckled Sussex (Snowflake) she's quiet and shy. Maybe need to spend a little more time with her.

We did electric fence when I was a kid for cattle and hogs but I've never done it for chickens. A friend here has a square grid type electric fence for chickens that I helped them install.
My question for both of you is, does your charger keep a steady current on the wire or does it pulse intermittently?

 

[thomasboyle]

Mine pulses once a second. I would not use one that is constant - you need to have a break in the zap to allow whatever it is to get away from the fence. If you get shocked by accident, you will be grateful it is a momentary pulse!