[hoggsbreath]

just been looking at the kits on ebay.dont really know what sort to go for for pigs.it will have to be 12 volt though.any advice .thanks.mat.

[oaklandspigs]

Have a look at the fencing guide on

www.rappa.co.uk

This will give you how they work, and what to look for in terms of power.

If you have access to mains, generally this is thought to be better, but 12V is fine (and what we use) and should last at least a month between charges.  Just make sure you get a leisure battery, as they are designed for the job.

We like the white tape, the pigs see it easier and you can see it it is covered just by looking rather than by needing to walk the fence. 

If it is free standing and you are not on a tight budget, the posts that let you positon the height are better than making you own, as you can easily adjust as they grow, and quickly move to expand or chnage shape.

If it is free standing, then you will need a small area with a real fence to train them first, so that they don't just run through it.

If trained, a single strand at 6 inches or so above the ground will generally keep them in, but you can a second above for extra peace of mind.  If using it as extra security inside a stockfence, then one strand will be fine.

[Helencus]

I use stock fencing with a line of electric rope near the ground. If you want to use all electric it'll be important that the pigs are trained to respect it before you rely on it. As oaklands says they need to be trained.
As for kits I wouldn't personally bother get some plastic stakes, electric rope/tape and an energiser. Hook it up to a battery and you're sorted. That way you can adjust the height as they grow and move around easily as required.

[Beewyched]

Hiya Matt 

We use electric tape for our KKs - we train them to 3 strands in the stock fenced paddock first though, then they are ok with 2 strands on plastic posts in their field (or curly "pig-tails"/tyre strips in the woods) so we can rotate their grazing.

We found ukcountrystore.co.uk very helpful & reasonable - we started with a kit - 20 posts, tape & energizer.  had to purchase the leisure batteries & charger seperately from somewhere else online - can't remember where - but do remember you will need to have a spare on charge all the time.  We just get additional posts, tape etc from ukcountrystore as needed.  If you've got existing wooden posts or trees that can withstand a tack or 2 you could tack strips of tyre tubing up to run the tape through - very cost effective 
Don't know where you are - but we have some strong winds up here in Scotland, so we place the posts at no more than 7 paces apart & double the tape around the posts to try & prevent it slacking-off - obviously it's checked every day when the pigs get their treats as weeds grow up under it, branches etc can fall/get blown across it & I have read that some pigs have been known to barge another into it to escape - clever  , though not experienced it with ours yet.
Oh, & remember to put the battery in a housing - we use a cheap plastic storage box, with a hole drilled into the side for the cable - with a very heavy stone on top to stop the lid blowing across the field!

Good luck.