Author Topic: Electric fence - advice needed (Read 3159 times)

Smokin · « **on:** August 10, 2011, 12:00:09 pm »

Hi All

We are looking to raise our first 4 pigs and want to strip graze them on our bottom field. We intend to rotate them through various sections of the field and use electric tape as a moveable barrier. We have the following questions and would love some help from anyone who is in the know about these things.

The overall run of tape is going to be around 800m at any one time if a single strand is used.

So here goes with the questions:

1 - What voltage range should we look for on the energiser?
2 - What to look for in terms of joules?
3 - Is there a formula for working out the length of fence X volts or joules in order to select the right energiser?
4 - Ideal tape width or is electric 'rope' a better/stronger option?
5 - Mains or battery, solar or not?

Feel free to add to this if I've missed anything, look forward to any help you can give.

Over to You.....

robert waddell · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2011, 12:16:10 pm »

any pigs would have to be trained to the fence before relying on just an electric wire
1) the bigger the better
2) again the bigger the better
3) the energiser maker has this info
4) pigs see tape better than wire but wire can be tensioned better
5) better with mains but depends on your situation and how far from a power point
remember that wet grass touching the fence draws the power down and can flatten a battery very quick best to strim before erecting and during useage

conman · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2011, 12:39:15 pm »

Quote from: robert waddell on August 10, 2011, 12:16:10 pm

any pigs would have to be trained to the fence before relying on just an electric wire
1) the bigger the better
2) again the bigger the better

agggreed

supplies for smallholders · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2011, 01:55:32 pm »

Most energiser suppliers (Like us) list the length of Tape / rope / netting that the energiser can power up.

I would personally go for a dual power energiser so mains near the house or change to battery if you move it somewhere remote.

I suggest using 2 - 3 strands of fence rather than one.

I would post a link to our energisers - but would get slapped wrists

Thanks

Tiva Diva · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2011, 05:37:24 pm »

We use 3 strands fence, wire not tape. The lowest strand needs to be at a height where there snout will contact it when they walk, if it contacts their neck they tend to just run through it. Because this is quite low we do strim the fence line and also spray with roundup to stop vegetation shorting out the fence. The pigs also turn sods of earth onto the fence so the fence line needs checking regularly. They do get the hang of it really quickly.

hughesy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 10, 2011, 05:38:32 pm »

Agreed go for the most powerful energiser you can afford, either 12volt or mains, you can get them that can operate off either. The set up we use is four wooden posts one at each corner with polyposts spaced in between for a bit of extra support. We use two lines of steel multi stranded wire as it is much stronger and conducts electicity much better than any tape or ply rope. It is also very easy to tell if it's broken where tape could look intact but the conductors could have parted. Once pigs know it's there thay will not attempt to pass through the wire for love nor money. So much so that it can be difficult to get them past where the fence used to be even when you've taken it down.

welshlass181 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2011, 09:35:42 pm »

You are welcome to come to mine and see the set up we use

hughesy · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2011, 10:02:22 pm »

Also depending on what breed of pig you get you might want to check the definition of "grazing"

ambriel · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2011, 10:06:54 pm »

One strand of four-wire white tape has proved effective with our Kunes.

Two strands just serves to give the goats a bit of exercise by making them jump higher.

We use a 12v battery-powered energiser from paddockperfection on ebay.

oaklandspigs · « **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2011, 07:38:47 am »

Rappa's fencing guide will give you lengths and joules.

http://www.rappa.co.uk/fencing-guide.cfm

Supplies for smallholders units were compeditivley priced when I last looked, and supporting people who support this site is good for all!

key point already made by Robert -m train pigs to the electric

Then a single strand will work fine. We much prefer tape - pigs see it easier, and you can quickly see/check that they haven't buried any without needing to walk the wire each day.