![]() ![]() The key is to find a low-impedance charger that can provide a high enough voltage to control your livestock while maintaining power throughout the length of your fence it will be necessary to measure the total length of your electric fence and purchase a charger rated for that length of fence or longer.įor the voltage-which determines whether the current will be strong enough for the animals to feel a shock-anywhere from 700 to more than 4,000 volts may be needed depending on the type of animals you’ll be keeping in the pasture. For smaller, portable pastures, polywire or polytape made of metal wires and polyethylene are popular choices.Ĭhoosing an appropriate fence charger is also important. High-tensile 12.5-gauge wire is common for containing large animals, including cattle lighter 14-gauge wire is also common. The wires can be made from a variety of materials. Depending on the type of livestock you’ll be keeping in, or the type of predators you’re trying to keep out, a suitable electric fence can be made from one wire or as many as 10 or more. The number and type of wires to use is your first consideration. Part of the appeal of electric fences is their versatility they can be built in many different ways. Electric fences are also much less of a visual barrier than other types of fencing, another reason why it’s important to carefully introduce your animals to the fence to let them know it’s there.Ĭhoose The Right Electric Fence Jacq!/Flickr If a power outage shuts off the electricity, the fence becomes much less of a barrier, and strong or clever animals can break through or slip between the wires. Of course, electric fences do have a few disadvantages. Best of all, electric fences are considered to be among the safest types of fencing, and they’re relatively easy to install and maintain. On the other hand, some animals can sense that the fence is electrified just by getting close to it and might not ever touch the wires.Īnother benefit is that electric fences are very durable: A well-maintained electric fence can last for nearly 25 years. Also, don’t get too close to your livestock when they’re investigating the new fence: You want them to associate the shock with touching the fence, not with being near you. When turning an animal out in an electric-fenced pasture for the first time, be sure to supervise them until after they touch the fence a time or two, just to make sure that they don’t overreact and injure themselves. All animals will need to be carefully introduced to the electric fence so that they understand they will receive an electric shock if they get too close, and while some species- sheep, for instance-are trickier to contain, they too can be trained to respect an electric fence, particularly if introduced to it at a young age. Just about any large farm animal you can think of, including horses and cattle, can be kept inside an electric fence, and the system works for smaller animals, as well, if the gap between each wire is small enough so that they can’t slip between or underneath the wires. Don’t skimp here: Be sure to purchase a safe, quality charger for your fence.įurthermore, electric fences are ideal for containing a wide variety of livestock. The electric charger for your fence will cost more, but many can be purchased for less than $100. Electric-fence wires often cost between $0.02 to $0.06 per foot, with posts ranging from a few dollars to around $15 for a large wooden corner post, making the fences very inexpensive to construct. ![]() In his “ Fences on the Farm” research, he states that electric fences cost less than 10 percent of the price of a typical four-rail board fence. Worley, extension engineer for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. One of the greatest advantages of electric fencing is cost, according to John W. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, safe and easy-to-maintain type of fencing, electric fencing is the perfect option!Įlectric fences are jack-of-all-trades in the fencing world, with the added benefit that they’re frequently the best choice in many situations. Let’s face it: Most farms need fences and lots of them. ![]()
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