How Does an Electric Fence Work?

Electric fence systems are an effective means of managing various animals. These fences create a psychological barrier that successfully keeps farm animals contained and deters wild animals from encroaching, even over considerable distances. When animals touch the electric fence, they become conditioned to stay away from it in the future.

Please visit our website for more information on this topic.

How Electric Fencing Works

Once the electric fence is properly installed and an animal makes contact with the charged wire, it will receive a shock as the electrical current flows through the animal to the ground, completing the circuit. Before commencing the construction of your fence, it’s advisable to consult our advice center to determine which system will best suit your fencing requirements.

It is crucial for the fence to be well-engineered and structured to withstand pressure exerted by animals, snow, and wind. Additionally, the fence’s energizer must possess sufficient power to cover the length of the fence and effectively manage the animal population under control.

The ground plays a vital role in completing half of the electric fence circuit, making it essential to have a well-established grounding system. In regions with poor soil conditions, employing a two-wire system can be beneficial, where one wire is electrified, and the other serves as the ground wire. This configuration is especially practical when alternating 'hot' and ground wires are required.

It’s important to ensure that the electrically charged wire remains insulated from shrubs, tall grass, fence posts, nails, or any other conductive objects continuously, as these can drain the charge, diminishing its effectiveness.

Regardless of the wiring setup, utilizing ground rod(s) connected to the energizer’s ground terminal is always necessary.

The energizer is the backbone of your electric fence system. Choosing the right energizer that matches your fencing needs is crucial for successfully containing and excluding animals. Experts recommend following a straightforward approach to ensure you select the most appropriate fence charger for your requirements.

FAQ: Simple Electric Fences for Chickens

Various animals—raccoons, coyotes, bobcats, and dogs—consider your free-range chickens as a 24-hour buffet. Even though local predators may seem hesitant today, this won’t persist.

I can vouch for this; I’ve been close to being out of business due to predation numerous times. If it hadn’t been for the techniques outlined here, my chicken population would likely be nonexistent.

What saved me were straightforward electric fences. Simple electric fences that truly deliver.

One-Wire and Two-Wire Electric Fences

These straightforward electric fences—designed with one or two wires—have been around for over sixty years. They’re often used to keep raccoons at bay in gardens and predators out of chicken coops.

In its one-wire version, the single wire rests about five feet above the ground. If utilizing a second wire, place it approximately ten feet high.

It may seem surprising that such a low wire can be effective, but it indeed works. Predators naturally remain low when stalking, and many are not particularly large, like foxes and raccoons. Even dogs and coyotes are effectively deterred by a one-wire system.

In one of my two-wire fences, you can see two strands of inexpensive aluminum wire supported by step-in posts. It’s one of the easiest, most budget-friendly fencing options available.

Many are astonished that a basic electric fence can both keep chickens secure and ward off predators, yet it is effective! Predators are often inclined to investigate anything new, which leads to them getting zapped when their noses touch the wire, deterring them significantly.

A fantastic advantage of these fences is their simplicity; you can effortlessly step over them instead of dealing with gates. For vehicle access, it’s usually a matter of removing a few step-in posts to let the wires lie flat, making it hassle-free to navigate past them.

The secret to success is using ample step-in posts, particularly if the terrain is not totally level. Properly positioning the wire is essential, as any misalignment can allow both chickens and predators to bypass the barrier. Thankfully, step-in posts are inexpensive, and aluminum wire is also quite cost-effective, with the last checked price being around $30 for a quarter-mile spool, ample for fencing about 40 acres.

With competitive price and timely delivery, JINBIAO sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.