Fox and coyote proof electric fence setup

[MomentaryBlossom]

Hello all,
I'm planning on setting up my first ever electric fence to keep foxes and a coyote out of my coop. The foxes have previously found a way to get to my chickens even with the hardware cloth dug deep with an apron, netting over the top, a large dog on guard, and fox lights. These foxes where I live are ballsy. They aren't afraid of humans, either. The only thing that has stopped them was my large cat ready to fight them when my chickens were babies. I ended up losing an entire flock to these pests and having to start all over.

My next deterrent step is an electric fence around my coop. I should only need the fence to be about 60-80ft in total, as the perimeter of the nighttime coop/run is only a section of my yard. I want my fence charger to be at least 2 joules, but honestly I might want it even higher with how determined these foxes are and with winter coming. So, my questions are how many grounding rods will I need? Is any gauge of wire okay? Should I go for a solar charger or run an extension cord out to a plugged charger? How many wires should I use and what placement should I use?

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I can answer some of those. 2j is PLENTY for a fox, any other canine, and will discourage a boar or bear.

Unless you have crazy ground, you need 1 ground rod. I run 2j around a 1/4 mile with a ground rod every 300' or so, and have sandy clay soils. When they are wet, contact with the fence wil cause you to involuntarily jerk back and if you accidentally contact it with your head you will briefly black out (but recover before you hit the ground). When the soil is (very) dry, I can grab hot wires with my bare hands and bare feet, barely feel it.

If the ground doesn't conduct (or conducts poorly) i.e. rock, porcelain (dry clay/sand) etc. an electric fence does you no good w/o modification. ELectric fence won't keep chickens in - feathers and beaks are great insulation - mine only get zapped when the comb contacts the fence.

That said, if you have an existing metal wrapped structure (you mentioned a hardware cloth skirt), tying the ground to it makes half your circuit (and accelerates corrosion of your metal skirt). Then you only need position your charge wire in a way that guarantees the fox or other predator will contact both the charge wire and your existing metal protection to complete the circuit and get one heck of a jolt.

and it is likely cheaper to run power if you need a true 2j (you don't). The solar and batteries needed for a 2j fence get pricey quickly, and require significant long term maintenance.

How about a photo or three of your existing set up?

 

[Penpal]

I would go with a solar charger. Pricier than plug in, but you plan on having chickens long enough to make it worth your while. Also, a power outage will not affect the fence if you have a solar, and you can move the fence anywhere and not worry about the cord. When you have a power outrage you can be smug about the solar charger.

I use portable electric netting so I can move my birds around, thus giving my lawn ample fertilizer while also giving my chickens a clean area. You need to sweep the snow away from the bottom. You also need to mow the grass where the fence is. I just move every post in a few inches, mow, then move the posts back.