Electric Fencing -
Protecting the Poultry Flock by
Katie Thear
Electric Fencing Protecting the Flock
Copyright © Katie Thear 2005
The availability of electric fencing has transformed free-range
poultry keeping. It is arguable that without it, the keeping of extensive
commercial flocks would never have happened.
An electric fence circuit has four parts: the controller or energizing
unit that provides the electricity, conductor wires held by insulators,
the predator to be excluded and the ground on which the fence is
erected.
The controller produces pulses of high voltage electricity, which
travel to the fence wire via the output lead. The earth lead of the
controller is securely earthed to the ground. The circuit is incomplete
until an animal touches the wire and receives a shock as the electric
pulse goes through its body to the ground. The voltage is not enough
to hurt the animal, but is sufficient for it to be given a wide berth
in future.
Mains or Battery Electric Fencing
Energizers are either mains or battery-operated. The former must
always be installed inside a building and the instructions from the
manufacturer followed precisely.
It goes without saying that all mains electrical installations
should be carried out by a qualified electrician. Mains operated
systems are normally used for permanent perimeter fencing. Battery-operated
energizers are more commonly used on a small-scale, or where a fence
is moved frequently. They usually operate from rechargeable batteries,
either two 6-volt batteries or one 12-volt one. Wind-powered generators
to energize the fencing system are also feasible.
General-purpose electric fencing for keeping
livestock in will not necessarily keep a fox out.
If there is an existing perimeter fence or hedge that merely needs
supplementing, then two strands of electrified wire, top and bottom,
may be sufficient, erected about 25cm outside the existing barrier.
Where access to the land needs to be controlled on a daily or weekly
basis, it is not practicable to move a permanent fence. Lightweight
electric netting is available, that can be dismantled, rolled up
and re-erected further on. It is effective at controlling the access
to specific grazing areas, as well as excluding a fox.
The netting is made of polythene and stainless steel conducting
twine and is erected with support poles and ground spikes. Grass
must be kept short where an electric fence is erected, otherwise
the growth will earth the current and the fence ceases to function.
It is worth reiterating that fencing and netting specifically for
keeping hens in and foxes out is the type to purchase. General-purpose
electric fencing for keeping livestock in will not necessarily keep
a fox out.
Protecting The Poultry Flock - by Katie Thear
See Also
Article Copyright © Katie Thear 2006 |
