Trystan Casey
Electric fencing is a popular method for protecting chickens from predators and allowing them to access the benefits of free-ranging. While electric netting is effective at keeping out predators, it may not always contain young chicks or chickens, as their small size and insulating feathers allow them to squeeze through or jump over the netting without receiving a shock. Chicken owners have reported that their chickens were able to escape their electric netting until they reached 7 to 12 weeks old, or even 18 weeks old in some cases. Therefore, it is essential to consider the age and size of your chickens when relying on electric netting for containment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age of chickens when using electric net | Chickens are usually between 7 to 12 weeks old before they can no longer squeeze through the net. However, some sources suggest that chickens are ready to roam in an electric net fence at 2 months old. |
| Chicken behaviour | Chickens do not usually fly over fences. They fly to the top and sit there, then fly down to the other side. |
| Chicken insulation | Chickens' feathers can insulate them from electric shocks. |
| Chicken size | Chickens need to be pretty big before the netting stops them from squeezing through. |
| Electric net height | Electric nets can be 42" or 47" high. A taller net is more likely to discourage large predators. |
| Electric net length | Nets are supplied 164 ft long. A single net will enclose a square of about 40 ft on each side, or more than 1600 sq ft. |
| Electric net type | Electric nets can be temporary, semi-permanent, or permanent. |
| Electric shock | The larger and heavier the animal, the more they come into contact with the ground, resulting in a larger shock. |
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What You'll Learn
- Chickens can be trained to respect electric fences by being taught to associate it with their home
- Electric fences are meant to protect chickens from predators, not to keep them contained
- Chickens as young as 7-8 weeks old can squeeze through electric netting
- Chicken netting holes get bigger as you go up the fence, allowing chicks to squeeze through
- Predators like foxes can be kept out using electric netting with smaller spacing
Chickens can be trained to respect electric fences by being taught to associate it with their home
Chickens can be trained to respect electric fences by teaching them to associate it with their home. While it may seem like a daunting task, there are several effective strategies that you can implement to achieve this. Firstly, it is important to understand that chickens typically do not fly directly over fences. Instead, they tend to fly to the top of the fence, perch there, and then fly down to the other side. This behaviour can be leveraged when using electric netting. Since electric netting usually lacks a sturdy top rail to sit on, chickens are unlikely to try to perch on it and will probably stay inside the fenced area.
However, if the electric netting is placed adjacent to a traditional fence, the chickens may attempt to fly to the other fence and inadvertently pass over the electric netting. In such cases, you can consider clipping their wings to prevent them from flying. Alternatively, you can opt for a taller electric fence that discourages flying over.
When introducing chickens to electric netting, it is recommended to keep them inside a tractor or coop for an extended period, such as a week or more, so they establish it as their new home. During this time, they will associate the electric netting with their living space and are likely to respect it as their boundary.
It is worth noting that chickens have feathers that act as good insulators, so they may not receive a shock every time they touch the fence. However, once they do experience a shock, they will learn to avoid the fence in the future. This process may take several days, but eventually, the chickens will treat the electric fence as an impenetrable barrier.
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Electric fences are meant to protect chickens from predators, not to keep them contained
Electric fences are primarily used to protect chickens from predators, rather than to contain them. While electric fencing can be used to keep chickens in a designated area, it is not always effective, as chickens can fly over fences or squeeze through small gaps.
Chickens are generally not inclined to perch on electric fences, as they do not provide enough support. Additionally, their feathers act as insulators, so they may not receive a shock unless they touch the fence with a bare part of their body, such as their feet or beak. This means that chickens are less likely to receive a strong shock from electric fences compared to larger animals, such as cows.
To increase the effectiveness of electric fences in protecting chickens from predators, it is recommended to set up the fencing in specific ways depending on the type of predator in the area. For example, taller netting angled outward can deter predators that can jump high, such as cougars and bobcats. Narrow runs can be used to protect against aerial predators like owls and eagles, and fishing line or reflective string can be crisscrossed across the top of the fence for added protection.
It is important to note that electric fences may not always be sufficient to protect chickens from all predators. In some cases, predators may still be able to gain access to the enclosure, and the chickens may panic and try to escape through the fence, resulting in injury or death. Therefore, it is crucial to regularly inspect and maintain electric fences to ensure they are functioning properly and to consider combining electric fences with other forms of fencing, such as chicken wire, to provide additional protection for your chickens.
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Chickens as young as 7-8 weeks old can squeeze through electric netting
Electric netting is a great way to keep chickens safe from predators and protect gardens, flower beds, and patios from the effects of free-ranging chickens. However, electric netting may not be effective for chickens younger than 12 weeks old, as they can squeeze through the netting without getting shocked.
To prevent young chickens from escaping, some people use a setup with chicken wire or hardware cloth inside the electric netting to keep the chicks in. Another option is to use a lightweight, non-electrified net as a monitored day pen for chicks and adult birds. This allows for easy movement to fresh grass while keeping the flock contained.
As chickens get older and bigger, they will eventually be unable to squeeze through the netting. Additionally, their feathers will no longer provide sufficient insulation, and they will feel the shock if they come into contact with the electric netting. At this point, the electric netting will effectively contain and control the movement of the chickens.
It is important to note that electric netting is primarily designed to protect chickens from external threats rather than keeping them contained. Chickens do not usually fly over fences; instead, they fly to the top and sit there before flying down to the other side. Electric netting typically lacks a sturdy top rail to sit on, discouraging chickens from attempting to go over it.
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Chicken netting holes get bigger as you go up the fence, allowing chicks to squeeze through
Electric fencing and netting are effective ways to protect your chickens from predators. Chicken netting is a must-have for every chicken owner who wants to protect their chickens from predators, illness, and accidental escapes. Chicken netting can be set up in unique ways to deter specific predators. For example, for aerial predators like owls, eagles, and hawks, it is best to set up a narrow run for your chickens, making it more difficult for the birds to dive down and grab them.
It is important to note that electric netting can be dangerous for baby chicks. While some sources suggest that the electric shock from the netting is only a surprise to them, others warn that it can be deadly. The shock a chick receives depends on its size and how much contact it makes with the ground. Therefore, it is recommended to use an alternative method to keep chicks contained, such as a non-electrified fence with "chick-stop" openings.
If you are using electric netting for your chickens, it is important to regularly inspect and clean the netting to ensure the safety of your chickens and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
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Predators like foxes can be kept out using electric netting with smaller spacing
Electric netting is an effective way to keep chickens safe from predators such as foxes. Foxes are crafty creatures that can jump, climb, burrow, or find other ways through barriers. However, electric netting delivers a harmless shock that deters foxes from entering the enclosure. The shock causes muscle contractions, creating an unpleasant sensation that keeps the fox away.
To enhance the effectiveness of electric netting against foxes, it is crucial to ensure there is no vegetation touching the fence. Tall grasses and shrubs in contact with the fence can reduce the strength of the electric charge, making it less effective as a deterrent. Therefore, it is recommended to clear a path around the fence to maintain a strong charge that will startle foxes and other predators.
The height of the electric netting also plays a role in deterring foxes. While a standard fence should be at least six feet tall to prevent foxes from jumping over, electric netting can be effective at a shorter height. This is because foxes will naturally try to sniff and investigate the fence, receiving a shock that discourages them from attempting to breach the barrier.
Electric netting with smaller spacing can be advantageous for containing younger chickens, known as growers, and preventing their escape. The netting's smaller openings make it more challenging for the chickens to squeeze through, keeping them safely enclosed. This type of netting is available in various heights and lengths, allowing customization to fit the specific needs of your chicken coop.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric net fencing is necessary for chickens of all ages, as it is the best way to keep predators out. However, chickens will need to be trained to respect the fence and not fly over it.
Chickens can be trained to respect electric net fencing from a young age, but some sources suggest that they will be less likely to try to escape once they are older and have learned that the fence is safe.
To train chickens to respect electric net fencing, some people suggest using positive and negative wiring, so that every other horizontal wire is positive and every other is negative. This may work better for poultry.
Moving chickens to a new netted area can be challenging. If the new plot is not adjacent to the old one, feed the birds inside their pasture shelter, shut the door, put on the wheels, and then carefully roll the shelter into the new enclosure. If the new plot is adjacent, set up the new nets, open a gap in the fence, and tempt the birds with food.
