Electric Mesh for Chickens - Help!

[patchworkcrew 0]

Hello All

 

We are introducing chickens and we know we'll have a problem with foxes. I have an electric mesh but the advice I have says to put a damp proof membrane (DPM) strip under the fence line to prevent the mesh "shorting". I did this but to my mind the cunning old fox will just push underneath the fence!!????. What do you think. Should I remove the DPM?

 

If I do this then I'll have to tension the mesh because of uneven ground to the point where the supporting poles will be bending all over the place.

 

Any advice??

 

Thanks

 

Bob G

[harrycatcat 31]

To be honest I have never heard of electric mesh but I am very new with the chickens and no expert.

 

I would have thought that if the fox wanted to get underneath he would touch the mesh anyway so that should stop him once he has had a belt off the electric. Thats if I am understanding the situation.

 

What do others think??????

[Paid 935]

Keep it there, if it touches the ground, or vegetation, it reduces it a hell of a lot, and as said the fox will still come in contact if it tries to go under. It will touch the fence before trying to go under anyway, which should put it off.

 

Best way to stop the fox is to lock in at night, and let out in the morning, using the fence to stop daytime raids.

[patchworkcrew 0]

Keep it there, if it touches the ground, or vegetation, it reduces it a hell of a lot, and as said the fox will still come in contact if it tries to go under. It will touch the fence before trying to go under anyway, which should put it off.

 

Best way to stop the fox is to lock in at night, and let out in the morning, using the fence to stop daytime raids.

 

 

Thanks for that. I'll give it a go and see if Foxy keeps out!

 

Regards

 

Bob G

[weasle 1,119]

i use that fencing with nothing under it still gives a good kick.the clicking of it is enough to keep foxs at bay. They wont get under but would jump it. i saw a fox jump, up a 6 foot fence panel like a cat. my garden backs into a forest but not lost a chicken yet. just lock em in at night.

[JPTfellterrier 65]

im not convinced by them, a farm i was helping on had them round there few hens, and i saw all the hens lieing against it sunning them,selves............maybes it wasnt instauled properly

[weasle 1,119]

im not convinced by them, a farm i was helping on had them round there few hens, and i saw all the hens lieing against it sunning them,selves............maybes it wasnt instauled properly

May be it wasnt on.

[harrycatcat 31]

im not convinced by them, a farm i was helping on had them round there few hens, and i saw all the hens lieing against it sunning them,selves............maybes it wasnt instauled properly

 

It wont bother birds.

[leegreen 2,210]

I have used electric fence and the bottom wire is not electrified. Saying that you still have to have very flat ground to get them to not short out to the ground, but they still give a wack even if shorted to the ground.

I do not use it now because the foxes were jumping it and nicking my chickens, 20 in all. So I got my self a HMR and a Bull Greyhound, no not really the best way to stop the foxes is to enclose you chucks and this is what I have done.

Good luck.

 

Just to say the last chickens I had taken was at 11.30 am, all of my chickens were taken in the day time as they were locked away at night.

Edited May 11, 2009 by leegreen

[Paid 935]

Same here, all the ones I've lost in the last 3 years were daytime, as I lock in at night.

Foxy will always find a weak spot.

 

And who ever said birds aren't affected by electric fencing, hasn't seen a chicken lean on one while walking.

 

If there earthed to the ground, they get a slap like we all do, if they land on it, and are not earthed, they can get away with it.

[harrycatcat 31]

Well I have to say I am surprised that birds get a kick because I have seen pheasants running over, under, on top of, rubbing up against electric fencing and they never seamed to bother at all.

 

You learn something new every day.

[Bounder 0]

Birds feathers ar very efficient insulators, just think how warm they keep birds.

BUT birds will get a belt off the fence if their comb or a bare part of their body contacts the wire.

I have seen my chickens get a right hurry up from the pig fence catching their comb.

I use standard netting but the trick I find best is to have one of those electric gates that closes the chicken pop-hole when it starts to get dark.

I have only ever lost one to a fox and that was from a field that they were wandering about in.

That electric mesh is good stuff but you need to have another pole at a 45 deg angle sticking out from the poles and about 14" long carrying another electrified wire.

This makes it much harder for foxy to leap over.

[rabbit tourmentor 29]

snare shoot trap the fox

[harrycatcat 31]

Birds feathers ar very efficient insulators, just think how warm they keep birds.

BUT birds will get a belt off the fence if their comb or a bare part of their body contacts the wire.

I have seen my chickens get a right hurry up from the pig fence catching their comb.

I use standard netting but the trick I find best is to have one of those electric gates that closes the chicken pop-hole when it starts to get dark.

I have only ever lost one to a fox and that was from a field that they were wandering about in.

That electric mesh is good stuff but you need to have another pole at a 45 deg angle sticking out from the poles and about 14" long carrying another electrified wire.

This makes it much harder for foxy to leap over.

 

 

Bounder

 

Where would you look for one of these electric gate things please, I have never heard of them, they sound good, do they also open at dawn or just close?

 

Regards

 

Hcc

[Paid 935]

They open and close. Using a light sensor, or timer. There are a few sorts about.