Talk to me about electric fencing

[CSAchook]

I'll start with a little background info. I have been keeping chickens for about 4 years and loving it. Last fall, however, a pair of large dogs broke through my run and killed my entire flock. I am now starting over with 14 adorable chicks (10 bantam, 4 LF). My DH has has repaired and reinforced the run as much as possible, but we would like to buy an electric fence for added protection.

Do you use an electric fence of some kind? What type? Where did you get it? Any tips about setting it up?

Thanks!

 

[Molpet]

Howard E is the E fence guru
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/

 

[CSAchook]

Howard E is the E fence guru
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/

Thanks Mo! I will check this out right away!

 

[Molpet]

I use premier 1 with a solar fencer
But if you have a fence up already I would put up some strands

 

[Conan]

I'll start with a little background info. I have been keeping chickens for about 4 years and loving it. Last fall, however, a pair of large dogs broke through my run and killed my entire flock. I am now starting over with 14 adorable chicks (10 bantam, 4 LF). My DH has has repaired and reinforced the run as much as possible, but we would like to buy an electric fence for added protection.

Do you use an electric fence of some kind? What type? Where did you get it? Any tips about setting it up?

Thanks!

I've used mobile electric poultry netting, as well as the white tape. I can say that anything that accidentally touched a nose to said fencing let out a howl, and never touched it again. I have not had issues with dogs since installing it. Started with a solar charger, then moved up to a much more powerful electric version, which I'd recommend.

 

[CSAchook]

I use premier 1 with a solar fencer
But if you have a fence up already I would put up some strands

The only existing fence is the one that goes around the entire property line. So I think we will be building something from scratch to go around just the chicken area.

 

[Conan]

The only existing fence is the one that goes around the entire property line. So I think we will be building something from scratch to go around just the chicken area.

How large is the area, bones? I love chain link fencing with a couple rows of hot wire. We used 4x4 pressure treated posts, and chain link from home depot. It was shockingly cheap there. You can kinda see it in this photo. I can't believe i don't have a better photo. The hot wire is not up on this pen currently, as we've been working in there to get the netting set up.

 

[CSAchook]

How large is the area, bones?

The chicken area or the property?

Chicken run + main coop + mini-coop take up an area approximately 8 feet wide by 26 feet long. So I guess the fence would need to encompass an area that is at least several feet larger than that in each dimension.

 

[sdm111]

If I didn't have an electric fence I wouldn't be able to keep anything.

 

[CSAchook]

If I didn't have an electric fence I wouldn't be able to keep anything.

What kind do you use Mr. Sam?

ETA: Netting or hotwire? Electric or solar? Brand?

It would be a true tragedy if you lost those gorgeous birds of yours.