Racoons, it finally happened.

[630004]

Yesterday our friendliest hen was killed by a racoon that managed to pull her head through the electric fence.

We think she either put her head through the mesh or got close enough to be grabbed. Needless to say the critter could not get her body through the mesh.

I have changed the layout of the fence so that the chickens can not go behind the coop anymore so hopefully that will help. I'm also wondering if I need to push some more current through the energizer.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[DobieLover]

Yesterday our friendliest hen was killed by a racoon that managed to pull her head through the electric fence.

We think she either put her head through the mesh or got close enough to be grabbed. Needless to say the critter could not get her body through the mesh.

I have changed the layout of the fence so that the chickens can not go behind the coop anymore so hopefully that will help. I'm also wondering if I need to push some more current through the energizer.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Did she get attacked during the day?
How many volts/Joules are you pushing now?
Have you tested the fence with a multimeter to see how much voltage it's carrying?

 

[630004]

Killed at dusk.
5,000 V as tested with Zareba fence tester.

 

[DobieLover]

Killed at dusk.
5,000 V as tested with Zareba fence tester.

I run double that through my fence.
My birds also go to roost well before dusk. I don't lock up until I get home from work which is typically 6:30. Or until it's full on dark to reduce squabbles on the roost.
Do you know why the birds hadn't already roosted?

 

[cmom]

My current through my wires are minimum 10,000 volt up to around 14,000 volts. Nothing has gotten past them. I test them every day with my tester.