NY chicken lover!!!!

[Pyxis]

I've got a premier electric net fence with solar charger and I love it! It is very easy to work with and easy to change the shape and/or location of the run. Suggestions: buy the strongest energizer you can afford. I like the 48" netting with single spike posts. Also note that the solar charger is not as strong in the winter d/t less light and when the snow grounds the fence for u. Tall grass will also ground it and weaken the charge. Some birds will hop the fence on occasion, but they learn where their "safe" area is. If u want to reinforce the fence between its posts, Lowes has white plastic fence posts that work well for $2/ea.

Thanks! Did you go with regular or 'plus' with the posts every 6 feet instead of 12? I'm leaning towards the plus because I think it might be pretty saggy with posts only every 12 feet.

 

[PhoredaBurds]

Thanks! Did you go with regular or 'plus' with the posts every 6 feet instead of 12? I'm leaning towards the plus because I think it might be pretty saggy with posts only every 12 feet.

I had to go measure bc I wasn't sure. The first string I bought has posts 11' apart and yes it gets saggy. That's where the posts from lowes come in handy. The second string I bought has posts every 9+ feet and that one doesn't need much support between posts. Only if it's really windy or the ground is really wet. I didn't get the "plus" bc I wanted more length per string. Seems like premier updates & changes their product quite a bit from year to year.

 

[Pyxis]

I had to go measure bc I wasn't sure. The first string I bought has posts 11' apart and yes it gets saggy. That's where the posts from lowes come in handy. The second string I bought has posts every 9+ feet and that one doesn't need much support between posts. Only if it's really windy or the ground is really wet. I didn't get the "plus" bc I wanted more length per string. Seems like premier updates & changes their product quite a bit from year to year.

I think it's just a $20 difference to go with the plus, so I might do that. If the fence sags I have a couple hens that wouldn't think twice about flying over it, lol. Thanks for the help! Did you get an energizer kit? I'm wondering what the difference is between just getting an energizer and getting the kit.

 

[Beer can]

@PhoredaBurds what keeps the chickens from getting zapped?

 

[akaruby]

I had that same question!

 

[Chicken girl 15]

@PhoredaBurds what keeps the chickens from getting zapped?

getting zapped a time or 2. Lol. At least that's what make mine stop going in the foal paddock next door. The foals are afraid of the chickens so we electrified the fence to keep the flock out and foals in.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Is it possible to tell pullet from cockerel by the wing feathers? I ask because 4 of these little buggers have longer wings than the rest. They are so dang cute I can't stand it.

 

[Pyxis]

Is it possible to tell pullet from cockerel by the wing feathers? I ask because 4 of these little buggers have longer wings than the rest. They are so dang cute I can't stand it.

Only if the chicks were specifically bred for that trait. Unfortunately otherwise you just have to wait

 

[PhoredaBurds]

@PhoredaBurds what keeps the chickens from getting zapped?

It's actually not a very strong charge. And it's setup to zap animals that lead with a bare nose (i.e. Dogs, foxes, coyotes, etc.) It's more about keeping nasty stuff out than the chickens in. I think they see it somewhat as a visible barrier. If/when a chicken steps on the edge of it and gets a shock, she learns pretty quick not to touch it again. Probably feels like being pecked by another chicken to them. I grab the live fence w gloved hands w/o getting a shock. If I forget that it's on & I grab it w bare hands it will make me pull my hand away quick, but that's about it.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Only if the chicks were specifically bred for that trait. Unfortunately otherwise you just have to wait

are spitzhauben a breed like that? All the chicks are half spitzhauben and half BA or WL or production red. I will get pictures tomorrow for the weekly update.