Best electric fence?

[Smileybans]

I’ll be expanding my 10x10 run in the spring to a 22x16 foot run. I want to be sure that all the spring critters can’t have access to the new run. I’ll be using HC and welded wire but want to ensure more protection. I have skunks, opossums, foxes, bobcats, raccoons and stray cats that come into my yard. Probably more but that’s what I’ve caught on camera. The run will be covered. Any electric fencing recommendations for around the run? Keeping the chickens in isn’t a big deal. It’s keeping everything else out I’m worried about.

 

[Aunt Angus]

That's a tough question to answer because electric fencing includes lots of different parts. You can get electric netting, wire, or tape. Then you need to get an energizer, too. It really depends on how much "juice" you need.

I do recommend Premier1 for supplies, though. Great customer service and w
Advice. And if something breaks, they'll help you fix it. They also sell kits with all of the stuff you need. Not cheap, but it really helped me know where to start. Now I can walk into any farm supply store, know what I'm looking for, and not sound like an idiot - lol!

 

[Aunt Angus]

I’ll be expanding my 10x10 run in the spring to a 22x16 foot run. I want to be sure that all the spring critters can’t have access to the new run. I’ll be using HC and welded wire but want to ensure more protection. I have skunks, opossums, foxes, bobcats, raccoons and stray cats that come into my yard. Probably more but that’s what I’ve caught on camera. The run will be covered. Any electric fencing recommendations for around the run? Keeping the chickens in isn’t a big deal. It’s keeping everything else out I’m worried about.

And I'm SO SORRY this thread went unanswered for so long! If you've already got a fence, let us know what you got and how you like it!

 

[Smileybans]

Thank you for replying. I don’t have one yet but I did some reading about the different types. I don’t want the netting because that looks like it’s mostly used for free ranging. I think what I want is the wire ones. One blog I had read said that using three wires works best for existing fencing. I was looking at TSC the last time I was there. Is the stuff they sell good? I’ll check out premier though. The company name sounds familiar. I probably own stuff made by them.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Thank you for replying. I don’t have one yet but I did some reading about the different types. I don’t want the netting because that looks like it’s mostly used for free ranging. I think what I want is the wire ones. One blog I had read said that using three wires works best for existing fencing. I was looking at TSC the last time I was there. Is the stuff they sell good? I’ll check out premier though. The company name sounds familiar. I probably own stuff made by them.

Electric fences really aren't rocket science. Unless you are trying to keep out larger animals like bears, cougars and the like, 1 or 2 hot wires would be enough. It only takes ONE, as long as it is at the right height. Just be aware that in the winter, if you get a lot of snow, the fence will be pretty much worthless. I would use WIRE, not the "tape".

 

[Smileybans]

The internet begs to differ on the rocket science of electric fences.

But I think the wire would be best for my situation. We do get snow in winter but at the same time no predators are around. I had read about some people who get snow packing up their electric fencing for the winter. So I think that might be an option.
While I don’t have any bears, that I know of, we do have coyotes that live across the road. And a bobcat in the back woods that line our yard. But mostly it’s small to medium sized predators. Nothing big really comes close to the house since there’s a lot of people around.
What’s the difference between the tape and wire? I haven’t seen much on the tape stuff.

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

The internet begs to differ on the rocket science of electric fences.

But I think the wire would be best for my situation. We do get snow in winter but at the same time no predators are around. I had read about some people who get snow packing up their electric fencing for the winter. So I think that might be an option.
While I don’t have any bears, that I know of, we do have coyotes that live across the road. And a bobcat in the back woods that line our yard. But mostly it’s small to medium sized predators. Nothing big really comes close to the house since there’s a lot of people around.
What’s the difference between the tape and wire? I haven’t seen much on the tape stuff.

Wire is , well, wire. LOL The "tape" is super tiny thin wires woven thru. So while it is highly visible, and MUCH less likely to injure an animal (like a horse) if it gets tangled in it, it also doesn't have the "bite" that a wire does. (Think of it like, while they tape WILL shock you, the wire will zap the CRAP out of you! LOL) See tape picture here.

 

[MarkJr]

Are you looking to run it off household power? Or solar possibly?

I personally use a Patriot P30 charger set up with a 100 watt solar panel and 18amp hour battery. This gives me 3 joules energy and 10500-12800V.

The secret is good grounding. I'm using three 10' copper/brass rods 12 feet apart sunk into the ground.

So far, I have yet to fall under 80% on my battery here in the soggy pacific northwest. It keeps all critters at bay, and has enough oomph to arc through chickens feathers (not intentional)

EDIT: The Patriot P30 is an AC or DC unit. Plug it in or run it on battery. Your choice.

 

[MarkJr]

I also use solid wire on my permanent fence. Woven wire on my temp fencing. There's no difference in voltage and amperage seen on my meter. The woven jolt still feels like being kicked in the gut when you forget the fence is on.

 

[Smileybans]

I’m hoping to do solar. But we have a lot of trees around so I’m not too sure how it’ll work out. But I think my husband was thinking of running it off a battery. I have power from the house running to my coop for my cameras. There actually used to be power by the coop for ponds but it no longer works.
Thank you for the recommendations. I’m getting more from you guys than the internet was willing to spit out.