Neighbors yard

[centrarchid]

I clip into heavy feather as most methods call for. Flight capacity is thus reduced to point where birds can not use flight to evade predators requiring other protective measures to be in place.

 

[Kusanar]

I have electric polutry fencing (although not currently 'hot' as we can't solve the earthing problem). It give my girls a massive, contained free range space, and so far they haven't tried to climb out. Easier (and maybe cheaper) than permanent fencing.

I know this is slightly off topic, but, what is your issue? I have electric fence for horses so I may be able to help. I assume dry sandy soil keeping the fence from getting hot?

 

[HillBilly64]

Any help appreciated.

We are unable to get a good earth and our guess is poor soil. Soil is clay on shale and very dry. Have gone 1.2metres (3 feet) into ground with our earth and no joy. Have tried with multiple earth rods (the 1.2 metre one, then 3 that came with the fence (1-2 feet) in a 'chain'.

There is a slight current through the fence but not enough to be of use. If my husband holds onto a tree near the fence and then touches the fence it earths (and gives him a large jolt) but other than that there is not strenght to it. The tree isn't touching the fence. We had thought the earth was in the tree route, so earthed it to another rod, and same result.

 

[aart]

and very dry.

Have you soaked the soil around the ground rod with water?

 

[Folly's place]

Plant a shrub or something at the ground rod, so you remember to water it! Or maybe a soaker hose? Ask around at farms and stables where there's electric fencing in your area, and see how it's done there. And call Premier for advice too.
Mary

 

[HillBilly64]

Did add water the other day - but maybe not enough. Will try drenching it. Great idea with the shrub too! Might move the earth into the vege garden...always plenty of water there.

 

[RWise]

Our grounds here are 6 feet, I water it (even for the home) and add salt around it (salt water or use rock salt around it and then water). This helps conductivity, and it does not take a lot of salt.

 

[Kusanar]

Any help appreciated.

We are unable to get a good earth and our guess is poor soil. Soil is clay on shale and very dry. Have gone 1.2metres (3 feet) into ground with our earth and no joy. Have tried with multiple earth rods (the 1.2 metre one, then 3 that came with the fence (1-2 feet) in a 'chain'.

There is a slight current through the fence but not enough to be of use. If my husband holds onto a tree near the fence and then touches the fence it earths (and gives him a large jolt) but other than that there is not strenght to it. The tree isn't touching the fence. We had thought the earth was in the tree route, so earthed it to another rod, and same result.

The problem is that even if you water at the ground rod, the power has to flow in a continuous loop from the fence to the animal, to the ground, through water in the ground to the ground rod and back into the box. Do you have multiple wires? If so, the easy solution is to hook one of your wires up as the ground rod, then if an animal touches that wire and another one it will get the full jolt of the fence no matter where they are standing or how dry it is. This is a recommended technique for dry or sandy soils that won't carry the power.

 

[HillBilly64]

It's one of these set ups...not sure how I can use one as an earth
https://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/poultry-electric-fencing

 

[Kusanar]

It's one of these set ups...not sure how I can use one as an earth
https://www.backyardchickencoops.com.au/poultry-electric-fencing

Yeah, doesn't look like you can and they don't seem to have any suggestions for your situation. You could run a separate wire to use as the earth, but you would need standoffs or more posts...