Fencing Ideas for Rocky, Uneven terrain

[ChickChickChicky]

If you can't beat em, join em, just like farmers have done for a long time... build your fence post from wire fencing rolled into a circle and filled with rocks (see photo example here http://www.flickr.com/photos/hotpepperdave/3816392198/ ) . You can then use whatever you want for the actual fencing.

They do make solar fence chargers which work quite well and which your kids would soon learn to avoid http://www.offthegridnews.com/2010/10/11/all-the-basics-on-solar-fence-chargers/

Don't worry about heating your coop, your birds will be fine without it. You can use something like an electric dog bowl waterer to keep the bird's water from freezing (similar to this http://www.amazon.com/96-Ounce-Thermal-Bowl-Outdoor-Feeder-Blue/dp/B000Y8GQ56 , or look on craigslist to get a used one for half price or less).

You can go to Harbor Freight and get a 45 watt solar setup http://www.harborfreight.com/45-watt-solar-panel-kit-68751.html that includes (2) 12v dc flourescent lightbulbs with wiring (they are VERY bright), charge controller/meter, (3) 15 w solar panels with wiring and a mounting bracket for them, all for about $150 if you watch for the set on sale and find a 20% off coupon. The only other things you'll need are one or more deep-cycle batteries (Sam's Club, RV stores, battery shops and many other places for about $80 each... if you think you'll need alot of power or just don't get much sun you should buy two identical batteries at the same time) and an inverter to plug the heated dog bowl into. This is the identical setup I have in one of my coops and attached shed and am quite pleasd with it.

 

[Sally8]

I had to double check to be sure you weren't my neighbor. lol The first year we moved where we live now, we rented a gas powered post hole digger. We still had to hand dig out the holes. Every year since, we dig by hand and I mean sitting on the ground or laying and scooping out the little dirt or prying out huge rocks. The lay of the land goes up and down but we managed to fence 1/2 acre for the dogs with concreted in chain link fence. It runs anything but straight but keeps our dogs home. This year the same thing for our chickens. Good luck.

 

[kellanv]

I have similar soils (in description) as you. Post hole diggers/augers dont work very well unless they are very large and attached to a 2+ ton machine or you get lucky and miss all the rocks. I went with a jackhammer and a shovel to complete the task. It was not particularly enjoyable but got the job done.

Driving t-posts in soils like that will drive you crazy as well! I didnt see this mentioned but you cant use those pre-made concrete post bases for fencing. They are only good for vertical loads and fences are mainly horizontal.

Best of luck

 

[CGinJCMO]

Update...
Here's what we finally did/still in process of doing.


we did the metal fence posts, driven in as far as possible (if you look, you can see the tips of the "arrow" on this particular post - some are in better than this, some not). We started off using a sledge hammer then bought a $20 fence post driver and it worked better. To start the hole, we had a 3ft. tall pointed spike to drive in and if it was too much trouble, then we moved 6-8 inches and tried again.
Some reason, we weren't able to get the fence above to get close to the ground on this side but did better on the other side (possibly it dipped more?). It's a big enough gap that the D'uccle roo and OEGB pullet can get out.

This is where we tried to get the fence to bend and go with the slope of the hill. To finish it off, the chicken wire that was attached to the bottom of the coop, continues along the fence until we ran out. Part of me wants to cut some of this chicken wire to fill in more of the bottom but a part of me just says the trouble isn't worth the price of new chicken wire. Won't be buying more 4 ft tall chicken wire.

We've also bought the yellow electrical wire holders and put one on to see how it works. Haven't wired the whole fence yet. To electrify the fence, we have a long heavy duty extension cord that we can use until solar power funds become available. Someone mentioned Harbor Freight, and I've seen their catalog/flyer and will trust hubby to get the best "bang for my buck". When it comes to electrical items, (esp. computers), I defer to him. I just wish my chicken research would be listen to by him sometimes.