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Electric Fence & Corner Posts
Author: Mike 
Date:   02-16-07 11:07

Hi,

I have five acres of land that I plan to run sheep on. The land is somewhat hilly and three sides of the land are surrounded by older barb wire fence for cattle. There are a lot of coyotes in the area and I need to build a predator proof fence, plus I'm trying to farm organically. I'm really wrestling with the type of fence to install and would appreciate any insights you care to share.

it's tempting to try to use the older fence, is it worth the effort? What do you think?

I'm leaning towards a 7 wire HT fence with alternating hot/ground wires, what do you reccomend, will this type of fence keep hungry coyotes out.

Using a solar energizer would be easier, but depending on who I talk to solar charges either work or don't work.

Finally, what are my options for the corner posts. Being organic means I can't use treated wood. Wood is easier, but I don't want to replace corner posts every five years. If I use metal how do I keep the wires attached and insulated?

I know, way too many questions.

Thanks,
Mike
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Re: Electric Fence & Corner Posts
Author: Scott 
Date:   02-16-07 12:24

Mike
The older fence may be able to be modified to work. By adding additional HT hot wires and using the current (will need to relocate) barbed wire to end up with a similar fence to your planned 7 strand pos/neg HT fence. The disadvantage of permanent HT strand fences are the reliance on electric. Strand fences nearly always have more weed shorting on them due to the low electrified wires. This weed pressure will require more out put from energizers (larger units) than fences will lesser weed loads.
Because of your organic practices wood post usage wood be limited to naturally rot and insect resistant wood post such as cedar, hedge, locust or other naturally resistant wood that can be obtained locally (some woods are regional such as hedge). Metal (pipe) post have been used but require either a portable welder or drilling/screwing fasteners on. Fiberglass and/or plastic may have physical sizing and strength issues.
Solar units can work well but all components must be sized correctly for the application. When we size a solar unit we will first correctly size an energizer for the application then solar panel and battery can to be sized for that individual application. Solar unit that have one or more of these 3 components (energizer, solar panel or battery) sized incorrectly is a recipe for unit failure.

Hope this helps
Scott
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Re: Electric Fence & Corner Posts
Author: Royal A. Purdy 
Date:   02-17-07 21:25


Mike,

A modern designed and correctly built fence is an excellent investment, one that can exceed decades of trouble free service.

The highly promoted Premier

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Re: Electric Fence & Corner Posts
Author: Natalya Lowther 
Date:   02-19-07 00:45

I'm not sure I'd rely on any fence to be "predator proof"...having experienced aneighbor's bird dog pup go OVER at least 2 cattle panel fences to get into a sheep pen. Build good durable fences (Premier did a GREAT job of talking me through installing my GreenCoat perimeter fences) but also consider a guardian animal. My flock would have quickly died of heat exhaustion in the above incident (very hot & humid August afternoon) had the llama not been there...he made the sheep stand in a shady corner, and scared that pup so bad I found it wedged into a corner of the fence trying to get out, totally stuck. Friends have had coyotes slaughter sheep in one pen, while all pens neighboring the one with the llama had no injuries.
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