Electric Fencing

Image Gallery The easy way to keep your livestock in and predators out.By George DeVault

The easy way to keep your livestock in and predators out.

By George DeVault

Japhy, a pup from the city, didn't know what a chicken was when he first moved to the farm, but he thought our Silver Laced Wyandottes looked interesting, so he ran right over to play with them.

He never got close to the birds. The instant his big, black, wet nose touched the electrified netting that surrounds the laying hens' pen, Japhy let out a terrified yelp. He jumped, spun clear around in mid-air and took off running in the other direction, squealing in protest and fright.

Relax, dog lovers. Mr. Japhy wasn't injured one little bit. Yes, a quick electric shock hurts. Getting hit with a few thousand volts, for even 1/3,000th of a second, does cause a bit of pain. But that's the whole idea: The shock inflicts no physical damage, but it does leave a lasting impression.

Japhy learned his lesson. He hasn't gone anywhere near the chickens again — except on a leash, to pose for his picture.

In recent years, electric fencing innovations have revolutionized some forms of livestock grazing and protection, and garden crop protection, too.

Now, effective and relatively inexpensive temporary electric fencing is available to protect everything from small animals such as chickens in the barnyard or in pastured poultry programs to larger animals such as riding hones out for weekend trail rides or involved in strip grazing.

Although some electric fences are considered permanent, much like a traditionally built fence, other styles are intended for semi-permanent or temporary applications, giving users more flexibility and economy in meeting such fencing needs titian they've ever had in the past. Modern temporary styles of electric fencing include the familiar rope lines, some tape-like styles and various sizes of mesh netting; all can be set up or taken down in a matter of minutes.

Pennsylvania farmer Brian Moyer pastures 1,400 broilers annually, using 42-inch-high electric netting with 3 1/2-inch-square openings and plastic post. Moyer says he especially likes the heavy-plastic, step-in posts, which he just pushes into the ground with his foot (or in dry times, hammers in with a rubber mallet.)