The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Smallholding => Techniques and skills => Topic started by: Sunnybank on September 26, 2011, 02:40:51 pm

Title: Electric fencing
Post by: Sunnybank on September 26, 2011, 02:40:51 pm
We are looking to buy some electric fencing to keep the sheep in our field now the hedges are getting thinner!!
we only rent the field so dont want the expense of a permanent stock fence as we cant take it with us when we find our forever home.
we have shetland sheep, what make and type of fencing would you all recommend. we have decided on a mains energiser.
many thanks
Title: Re: Electric fencing
Post by: ellisr on September 26, 2011, 03:54:25 pm
What ever fencing you choose put it as close to the hedge as possible and tie the stakes with bailing twine to the hedge here and there to stop it sagging or moving.

Remember no horned sheep with netting and make sure your energiser is powerful enough with netting or it is totally useless.

I find that for temporary fencing stock fencing wire pulled tight and tied to the hedge bailing twine again gets me through the winter when hedges are bare, then it can be removed when hedges are grown again
Title: Re: Electric fencing
Post by: mab on September 28, 2011, 09:54:08 pm
Quote
what make and type of fencing would you all recommend.

Don't know about makes - my energiser is a rutland esb200 (1.6J) but as I had to repair it recently I don't know if I'd recommend it.

As for the fencing: I use two/three lines of string run on plastic posts - supported with guy ropes at the corners - My shetlands ladies stay inside it but it doesn't keep stray dogs out unfortunately - netting works better for that so I have netting on the road side.

If your sheep are inclined to escape you may want more than three lines (Shetlands can jump over 1m sheep netting if they really want to).

mab
Title: Re: Electric fencing
Post by: colliewoman on September 29, 2011, 10:47:19 pm
dunno about the technical stuff, but drive wooden posts into any turns/corners and tie the leccy fence post to it its soooooooo much easier keeping the fence tight, especially with electric netting :)
Title: Re: Electric fencing
Post by: Sunnybank on October 03, 2011, 06:46:41 pm
thanks everyone :)
Title: Re: Electric fencing
Post by: waterhouse on October 04, 2011, 12:22:34 am
I use stock fence on boundaries and roads and electric to divide up fields into strips.  For temporary fences I use Rappa reels and their steel stakes - I keep getting more cos they are good.  For semi permanent I use at least three lines of rope.

 I have an 8j mains energiser and a wonderful test device that reads out the actual point voltage and the amount and direction of any leakage - there always is some - by simply touching the tape. Doesnt need an earth spike either. Talking of which YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD ENERGISER EARTH