Need to know the basics of electric fencing

oz in SC V2.0 · #1 04/26/12, 11:50 AM

We want to try running electric fence,so we put in T-posts every so many feet(what distance between posts?) run strands of wire(however many called for,for goats it seems more than anything else),then you somehow hook up the charger and that is it?

Our first problem is how do you run power to the charger if it is a distance from your power source?From reading,solar isn't the best for goats.That leaves either AC or battery powered.

We also understand the area around the wire needs to be kept clear of brush.

Is it better to try the electronet?

We have horned goats by the way and might want to use it also for pigs.

Bearfootfarm · #2 04/26/12, 12:08 PM

Net will probably work best for goats.

You can run the power just like it's a part of the fence.
A single wire of sufficient size can carry enough voltage to power the whole fence

With STRONG corner posts , and using wire, you can go 50 ft between line posts.
With Net, you'll be lucky to go 10 ft

Quote:

From reading,solar isn't the best for goats.That leaves either AC or battery powered.

Solar IS battery powered.
The "solar" part just recharges the battery

17 Mistakes To Avoid With Electric Fencing

Building Your Electric Fence | FiShock®

oz in SC V2.0 · #3 04/26/12, 12:20 PM

Power is over 200 feet away from the nearest point we would be fencing,what is to be done?

The net seems to be more for semi-permanent use,although it lasting 10 seasons is pretty long to us.

Agreed on the solar/battery,my mistake in wording.

fishhead · #4 04/26/12, 01:04 PM

You can put your charger where your power is and just run electric fence wire to your actual fence.

When you get it hooked up and tested then put your goats in and not before. You want them to get bit the first time and every time they test the fence. Hang some tin foil smeared with peanut butter or molasses on the wire to get them to touch it with their nose or tongue.

Electric fencing is a mental barrier and depends on them respecting it.

uncle Will in In. · #5 04/26/12, 01:28 PM

An AC charger is way better than the others. Put your charger inside a building that has AC or under a cover to keep it dry. You could run a light electric fence wire on insulaters half way to the local tavern and have a red hot toddy. If you are useing steel T posts, I would put about 4 high tensile barbs on the posts streched tight. Space then about a foot apart starting with the first one no higher than 6 inches off the ground. Now put insulater between each barb. Get the ones that stand out about 2 or 3 inches from the post. Put the smooth wire on the insulaters and hook the hot wire to all 3 of them. wires. Turn on the charger. Go touch the fence and find out if it works. Or you might buy a little cheap fence tester if you are jumpy.

A good ground on the charger is an absolute must. If you have a problem with that, run a smooth wire from the ground on the charger out to the barb wire and hook it to one of them. That fence will make a billy goats horns point straight forward. UNK

uncle Will in In. · #6 04/26/12, 01:41 PM

Oh Yeah <> Be sure to put your posts in the ground with the knobby side towards the pasture. The insulaters go on th knoby side. Space the posts so they match the level of the ground. That will keep your fence at about the same height all the way.

oz in SC V2.0 · #7 04/26/12, 01:48 PM

So we can get a good AC charger and run wire TO where we want fenced,that is good to know.

Thanks all for the advice.

Alice In TX/MO · #8 04/26/12, 02:08 PM

Don't expect strands of electric wire to hold goats. Not likely.

oz in SC V2.0 · #9 04/26/12, 02:16 PM

Thinking of running five or six strands of wire.
Here is what we are looking to do,with just more wires.

Electric Goat Fence

unregistered41671 · #10 04/26/12, 02:38 PM

A ground system is the most important part of the fence, especially for goats. A minimum of 3 6 ft galv rods 10 ft apart is a good start. Depending on the moisture in the ground during the dry season, you may have to add more. One continuous piece of wire connecting them together and to the charger. Do not skimp on the ground system. Don't use rebar or something like that as it rusts quickly and does not make as good a ground as galv or copper.

uncle Will in In. · #11 04/26/12, 03:14 PM

I had 33 goats in a pasture with a fence like I discribed. If they try to reach through the fence they have to touch a hot wire, and a grounded barb. at the same time. I can tell you for certain that that feels like a hard whack with a ball bat. With the bottom wire close to the ground, they can't crawl under it.

oz in SC V2.0 · #12 04/26/12, 03:17 PM

What type posts are you using?
We have 7' T-posts.

unregistered41671 · #13 04/26/12, 03:26 PM

7 ft are fine but you only need 6 ft.

Bearfootfarm · #14 04/26/12, 03:31 PM

I use wood posts, but we have sandy soil with no rocks.

I used "telephone" poles for the corners, and went 50 ft apart with the line posts.

You don't need to stretch the wires super tight.
Do it just enough to keep them from sagging between posts.

I also HIGHLY prefer 12 1/2 Gauge Aluminum wire.

It's more expensive, but it will carry MUCH more current with far less resistance, and it will NEVER rust.
It's also a lot easier to work with

Alternating hot and ground wires will work better than having them all hot, as long as the animals have to touch two wires at once.

Space them closer near the bottom and then you can go wider at the top

oz in SC V2.0 · #15 04/26/12, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Possum Belly

7 ft are fine but you only need 6 ft.

We got a deal on 300 7 foot posts,so plan is to use those until we run out.

Alice In TX/MO · #16 04/26/12, 03:36 PM

Do what you will, but I'll tell you mine went through seven strands like butter.

oz in SC V2.0 · #17 04/26/12, 03:45 PM

I did read that you need to train them to electric,we don't want any issues for sure.

watcher · #18 04/26/12, 04:24 PM

Two basic rules to never forget about electric fences.

#1 Don't rely on an electric fence alone to keep your critters in. Its fine for dividing pastures or for keeping them away from a real perimeter fence but too many things can cause it fail. Power outages, falling tree limbs and I have even had a stupid bird light with one foot on the electric wire and the other grounded which shorted out the fence.

#2 If it will keep a 2000 pound bull inside you REALLY don't want to touch it.

After that its just a matter of keeping the hot side insulated and the ground side grounded.

rags57078 · #19 04/26/12, 06:21 PM

the best way for you to test it is to weeee on it

artificer · #20 04/26/12, 06:24 PM

200' is nothing to run power to a fence. Here's some burial wire that will do it. Cheaper is to just run the hot line overehead, or with fence posts.
$80 for the spool of wire is going to be much cheaper than the battery and/or solar system. You can also get a hotter fencer with AC, not that goats will respect it.

Michael