Author Topic: Portable electric fencing for sheep (Read 4769 times)

kelly58 · « **on:** August 30, 2014, 03:01:23 pm »

What thoughts and experience does everyone have on using electric mesh fencing for temporary sheep paddocks ?

MarvinH · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2014, 04:05:44 pm »

Not for use with horned animals. Dont rely on it -have decent other perimiter fence.

Possum · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2014, 04:21:13 pm »

It's a possibility on a small scale. How many sheep were you wanting to pen and what area were you thinking of fencing?

GeorgieB82 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2014, 04:49:47 pm »

We use it all the time to separate our larger fields into smaller paddocks, as long as you have power going through it the sheep will respect it. Invest in extra intermediate posts as a sagging fence becomes inviting to adventurous sheep.

We have horned sheep and the only time we have had them caught in the fence is when the battery is dead and they are running short of grass. Maybe a dozen times in 7 years.

kelly58 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2014, 05:08:58 pm »

Many thanks

sarahdean_66 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2014, 05:10:13 pm »

Defra do advise electric fencing is not to be used for horned sheep.

GeorgieB82 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2014, 05:17:23 pm »

Quote from: sarahdean_66 on August 30, 2014, 05:10:13 pm

Defra do advise electric fencing is not to be used for horned sheep.

Yes they do, but when we had Animal Health come inspecting they were quite happy with it! It depends whose asking I suppose. The only horns we have are on our old ram and ram lambs and they all grow up learning to respect it.

Young Ed · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2014, 05:45:55 pm »

we have it for our chickens and the bottom of it is touching grass/earth the whole way round meaning it's got plenty of short circuiting and probably isn't very effective
our chickens don't bother trying to get out anyway so it's ok in our case
Cheers Ed

Mungo24 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2014, 06:43:37 pm »

I use a three reel system that works well, that is until I let the battery run down and one realises it can pop through. I would be hesitant to use it by itself, there is normally a hedge or 4 strand fencing on the other side and stock fencing if it borders the road. I recommend geared reels if you decide to go this route.

lars64 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2014, 09:16:02 pm »

In my (very) limited experience a 3 reel system works fine for sheep, but ultimately they WILL get out so you need stock fencing between them and anything you REALLY don't want them to get to (i.e. the neighbour's fruit farm, my cider orchard or the road). Lambs need a really low live wire, so 4 wires are better. To put it another way, electric 3 or 4 wire works well for me to sub divide fields that already have a good stock fence perimeter.

shygirl · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2014, 10:11:13 pm »

the risk with horned sheep and electric is death - it does happen.
our aged horned hebridean ram got his horn wound around the wire stay on a telegraph pole and it forever to get him free, it was a very tight wire so he must have been rubbing to get stuck.