4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Westie]

I have been up to my eyes in things for a couple of weeks and in the meantime we have lost Perky to Mr Fox. Fortunately we saw no feathers etc and when searching for her saw the fox coming back up the field so at least Pinky and Peppers are safe. My own fault, with the lighter nights, a false sense of security perhaps, and it had gone a bit dull, I was a bit later than normal in putting them away. As Peppers had given us a 3 yoke 120 gm egg earlier in the week I would have been even more sodden with guilt if she had gone.

 

Someone a couple of weeks ago mentioned that they had an electric fence - would be grateful for a reply as to strength and set up. Has anyone used a solar powered unit?

 

Foxwatch I don't think will work, as on a previous thread, we have a large through garden (i.e. font to back) and the girls would need 3 or 4 foxwatch's to keep a 360 cover.

 

many thanks

 

Westie

[cluckbok]

Very sorry for your loss, poor chook. Glad the others safe now though. Not sure about fence, someone will be along in a mo that may know.

[Gamebird]

I am going to use electric fencing for my chickens' protection. I have found this website to be very informative with reasonable deals. http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/acatalog/Electric-Netting.html

[Egluntyne]

You can electrify the Omlet netting.

[superjules]

Here you are Westie - send them a PM.

 

http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21330&highlight=shrike

[Gamebird]

Thank you for that advice. I didn't know you could electrify Omlet netting, it doesn't say anything about that on their website (or not that I can see).

 

I notice that at 4' it is also higher than most poultry netting, and with extra posts. Now that I know it can be electrified I will probably go for that.

[Westie]

Many thanks Superjules.

 

will send a pm.

 

Westie

[Louisdog]

I have had good results with electric fencing. It's worth getting a fence tester so you can check that it is running at a good voltage. If the grass grows long around the bottom that can drain the power and make it less effective. As well as an energiser, you'll need an earthing rod - they are usually a metre long and you bang them into thr ground, they cost about a fiver.

 

HTH

alex

[Westie]

Again, many thanks louisdog

 

Good advice about the grass draining the battery. A little diffiuclt as I tend to keep them in an area I don't mow much but I'll just have to pull my socks up.

 

Westie

[Louisdog]

I weedkill around the bottom of my fence to keep the grass down there. If I strim it I'll end up cutting the fence! Someone else I know uses strips of weed or damp-proof membrane under the fence to keep the grass from shorting it out.

 

Cheers

alex