Tell me more about electric fences...

[llombardo]

After reading horror story after story I am now considering this. I know nothing about it. I'm interested in the bottom and top of enclosure. The middle for climbers is not out of the question. I have dogs, their safety is of major concern.

Educate me...

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Dogs respect E fences just as much as any other animal. They might hit it once... it does NOT harm them

Getting your wire at the right height for said predator is key. And top wires won't matter unless the animal is grounded either by them touching the ground or by touching a ground wire that is running in close proximity.

It won't work for aerial predators.

They are easy to install, effective, and somewhat affordable especially when compared to standard fencing.

My power grid is crud during the storm season so I went with solar which was pricier than the plug in type. But it was also more convenient.

I use mine to keep my roosters in their pen... not for predators. Funny thing is, one end of the pen only has E wire going across the ground level where I can still step over (3 wires, tallest is a foot high) but the roosters stay INSIDE.

Middle for climbers is irrelevant, IMO.

 

[Sara Ranch]

Need to know a little bit more about what you are considering the fencing for.

I have a single strand electric fencing for my cattle pasture, above the general 4' fence. It's worked to keep my adventurous, wandering cattle in. It has also shocked my LGD. I think only one of my dogs got zapped - twice. It was enough for her to respect the fence.

I intend to add a second hot wire lower to the ground, to deter some of the smaller varmints and goats.

My chickens currently have 6' welded wire fence (not electric) to protect their pastures from the outside world. They can easily fly up and over the fencing. They have. So have the guineas. So have the ducks. The birds learn pretty quickly that they need to return to the safety of the pasture or the common area and leave the outside world alone.

I am getting read to hot wire another pasture perimeter. It has 4' general fencing. I'll add a hot wire on top and one lower. Then I plan to add hot poly net fencing to subdivide the pasture.

I watch the animals for one to two days to make sure they know the fence is the "no touch zone" and to intervene if there are any problems. Since none of my animals are familiar with (or those adopted probably don't remember) poly net fencing, I will keep a super close eye on them to make sure no one gets tangled in the wire.

The main goal for the electric fence is to keep predators out and to keep my cattle in. Most animals can HEAR the fence and avoid it. For those that do touch it, it's usually a lesson not forgotten.

I do regular fence walks to check the electric wire and the fencing in general to make sure it's working and in good condition.

 

[JDN]

After reading horror story after story I am now considering this. I know nothing about it. I'm interested in the bottom and top of enclosure. The middle for climbers is not out of the question. I have dogs, their safety is of major concern.

Educate me...

There are a few ways to do it, but for a suburban yard all you need is a $30 charger and probably a low wire and a high wire. Again, since you have a suburban yard, the other difficult part, keeping plants off of it (which will make it less effective) is accomplished with a weed whacker.

These fences aren't what the North Koreans run on the DMZ, they aren't going to damage anything...And, they usually pulse.

You can either use step in stakes for the wire, or insulators that attach to other fenceposts. You can also install a cutoff switch if that strikes your fancy.

The breeder I bought my dog from contained his with a single, shin high wire, which bewildered me as the dog could jump 5 feet if it had a mind to.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

The breeder I bought my dog from contained his with a single, shin high wire, which bewildered me as the dog could jump 5 feet if it had a mind to.

Accurate statement... E fencing is NOT a physical barrier... it IS a psychological barrier. They meet it once with the tip of their nose, and never wanna do that again. A very determined animal could defeat it.

 

[mountain chicken]

depending your predators me for instance I have mt lions , bears , fox , coyotes , the big guys 2x8 strips of plywood with many sharp screws or nails placed around the coop will stop them in their tracks.

for the smaller predators racoon, squirrel , skunks , rats ect a electric fence will ward them off . just don't build one like I did. see details below

as for snakes a bunch of 24 inch pieces coiled sheet metal
so the snake can;t get over it .

back to electric fence I set up my own using 12 old 6 volt battery's from old trucks . actually watched a bear fall down from the jolt . it hit him so hard . I didn't think was going to be that strong ,

I disconnected the battery's as it was just to over powering . I went and bought a electric fence box so far it works good nothing cooked just deterred sorry Mr bear lol

 

[EggSighted4Life]

If you look up @Howard E, I bet you might find lots of info on E fencing and other things.

 

[Howard E]

On electric fences.......this explains the "why to".......

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/dogs-and-electric-fences.1210854/

This explains the "how to".......

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/a-treatise-on-electric-fences-for-poultry.72229/

There are two things you can do to keep your birds safe.

First is to keep them in predator proof housing where once the day ends and they go to roost, they are safe from all comers. No predator can get in no matter what. Predators will try.....but predators will fail. Right?

Second......is to establish a perimeter zone of protection surrounding their yard area by using an electric fence. An electric fence that confines and protects them during the day. There are things you do to go with this (like offering shade, shelter, food, etc. within the confined area so they are not determined to leave), but otherwise, those two are pretty much it.