Cat tunnels for catio wanted

[Lorax]

Hello.

 

My Cube arrives on 20th, hopefully. I'm pretty sure that it will only be a matter of time before we buy some netting and then some electric fencing.

 

In anticipation of this, I wondered what you could tell me about electric fencing (I have searched the forums, honestly, but I haven't found the answer).

 

What's a good make to get that will go with the Omlet netting? I think the shop mentions Gemini?

Is the Omlet netting the best one to get?

How does the electric fencing work? Is it hard to set up?

 

Any thoughts and advice most welcome. Thank you.

[Eggasperated]

I use 50m of electric fencing bought as part of a complete kit which included the energiser, earth stake and connecting leads. My original energiser was a Gemini 40 but this didn't give a high enough voltage so I now have a Gemini 120 which drains the battery very quickly so I reckon a Gemini 80 should be ample on 50m. If you are not attaching to the mains you will also need a leisure battery plus charger.

The main thing about the fencing is to ensure the bottom wires are free of grass as this reduces the voltage substantially, it is also quite awkward on initial set-up to make sure it is taut and not sagging on to the ground (definitely easier if two people can set it up), tent pegs are also ideal to close any gaps beneath the fence if your ground is uneven.

Extra lengths of net can also be attached, I have added a further 25m of Omlet netting to mine that I got with a secondhand eglu.

It has certainly been a worthwhile investment for me as I do not have a WIR and I like my girls to be out and about as much as possible.

[chicken bark]

What's a good make to get that will go with the Omlet netting? I think the shop mentions Gemini?

I have used a Hotline Gemini energizer to go with my Omlet netting.

Is the Omlet netting the best one to get?

I purchased 25m from them and it was good because it came with extra posts. Not a bad price too. I then got another 50m from Mole Valley Farmers for about £90 delivered. Seems to be the same stuff.

How does the electric fencing work? Is it hard to set up?

 

Any thoughts and advice most welcome. Thank you.

It is very easy to set up. You place the netting where you want it - keeping it as taught as possible. You clip the fence onto the energizer (the energizer should come with all the clips you need). Make sure you get an energizer that is good enough for the length of fence you have. I use a Gemini one I got from FSF for £70 and that does 75m.

The energizer then connects to the power source. In my case it is a 12v 75 leisure battery from FSF, but depending on your energizer you could connect it to the mains. Make sure you have an earthing rod (a 1m one is best). Clip the earth cable from the energizer onto the rod. My energizer then hangs from the rod too.

 

If you have a battery powered one remember to get a trickle charger.

 

You need to keep the grass short underneath the fence. The bottom line is not live so that helps reduce any shorting. The longer the grass, the more power is drained and so the fence doesn't have such a good 'punch'.

 

Invest in a fence tester - this will give you peace of mind it is working well without having to touch the fence. If you do touch the fence where your wellies.

 

Hope that all makes sense - it is easy and worth it IMO.

 

Edited to say that I'd go with Eggasperated's recommendation of a Gemini 80. I use a Gemini 40 which is fine for me but would get an 80 if I was starting again.

[Lorax]

Forgot to add, I play on getting only 25 m of fencing.

 

If anyone has time, could you link to what you bought, thus showing me exactly what and where from? I started looking and my head has started to spin..

 

thanks so much for all the answers so far.

[..lay a little egg for me]

Also see this thread.

[chicken bark]

These are the items I purchased from Flytesofancy.

 

HLC40 Gemini HLC40 Dual Power Energiser

 

VARTA12V 12v Varta Leisure Battery 75 Amp/hr

 

ES2 Earth Stake 1m

 

http://www.flytesofancy.co.uk/chickenhouses/Hotline_Gemini_Dual_Power_Energisers.html

 

I got my 25m of fencing from Omlet.

 

So then all you need a battery charger. FSF do them too but I use an old one my Mum had.