solar electric fence

[mendozer]

My coop is being managed at a friends house due to our HOA and we have it on their patio. However, I'm sick of having them on concrete and not grass. I didn't make my coop portable though. I was thinking of dragging it with a handtruck.

Now onto topic...Concrete offers superior digging protection, grass does not. If i make it portable, can't have a wire fence or anything like that. So i thought about attaching some kind of solar-powered electric fence mounted to the bottom frame of the coop (2x4s) sticking like 3" off the ground so whenever something wants to come close and dig, it gets a shock and stays away.

Can you rig a basic solar panel charger to a regular AC fence kit or does anyone know of specific solar kits. Keep in mind I don't need a 10-acre kit, just like 25' of wire and one 12V charger

 

[thomasboyle]

Electric fence is electric fence, there is not one type for a solar charger and a different kind for a plug in charger. If you are rigging up a electric wire fence, you can buy short rolls of wire at Tractor Supply (even longer rolls are very cheap). If you want a net fence (I use them and love them) to make a small run, I know nets are usually sold in 100' - 164' lengths, but if you check their website, they do sell remnants that are shorter. I know Premier 1 sells short lengths. Net fences are very portable. You can pick it up and set it up in a new location in 5-10 minutes. The posts are permanantly built into the net, and have spikes that you just step on to drive into the ground. A 100' fence give you a 25'x25' run, and a 164' fence gives you a 40'x40' run.

 

[mendozer]

well my coop has a run included. It has living quarters above and run underneath, and it's good enough for 4 chickens to roam throughout the day. So i was thinking of using wire around the coop rather than making another run of electric netting. But i have seen the netting in action and would definitely use it if i had an open run for them.

 

[mendozer]

I was looking into products like these:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/zarebareg;-2-mile-ac-low-impedance-fence-charger

http://www.fishock.com/store/electric-fence-charger/ss-725cs

paired with something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Go-Power-GP-S...d=1375212617&sr=8-6&keywords=solar+DC+charger

I don't know from experience whether DC or AC charges faster, or which type is better for pests...how many joules?


this is the setup I'm thinking of. My rectangular coop with wires running along the bottom frame with charger mounted on the frame as well.

 

[thomasboyle]

I use a 1/2 joule plug in charger from Tractor Supply, and it puts out between 6000 and 7000 volts. I got shocked by it once, and that was enough for me! From what I have read, you need a minimum of 5000 volts to keep predators at bay. You might want to consider more than 1 wire, just in case something tries to get in some place other than the bottom. I had a bobcat attack my coop. It bent the wire fencing (non electrified) on the run 4 feet off the ground, so maybe a wire in the middle and again at the top would help encourage predators to try someplace easier.

 

[mendozer]

duely noted. there are no bobcats round here. I'm concerned about rats and racoons. Maybe 3" off ground then 1 foot off ground (but still unreachable through fence for chickens)

 

[thomasboyle]

That should work, and a lower powered charger should work for raccoons and such. You'll want to attach the wire to the coop with plastic insulator posts. This keep the coop from being electrified and puts the hot wire further away from the chickens. My hens all learned quickly not to pick at the fence. Good luck!

 

[Sussex Lady]

I was having a tough time with my electric fencing idea. Thanks to both of you, it is
solved with a lost cost option.
Thanks again for the info.