Beatrice Lang
Deer can wreak havoc on gardens and farms, eating up to 10 pounds of plant material per day. Electric fences are a popular method for keeping deer out of gardens and farms. However, they are not always effective, as deer are intelligent animals that can sometimes find ways to get through. The height of an electric fence is an important consideration when trying to keep deer out. While some sources recommend a minimum height of 7 or 8 feet, others suggest that even a 24-inch fence can be effective if it utilizes a three-dimensional design that confuses the deer's depth perception.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Minimum height | 4 feet |
| Typical height | 6 feet |
| Maximum height | 10 feet |
| Wire type | Solid aluminium, high tensile or poly wire |
| Post type | Metal or wooden |
| Insulators | Plastic or ceramic |
| Energizer | Battery, solar or 110v outlet |
| Grounding system | Moist soil, with ground rods spaced at least 10 feet apart |
| Voltage | 5,000-6,000 volts |
| Bait | Peanut butter, molasses or apple scent |
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What You'll Learn
A minimum height of 6 feet is recommended
A minimum fence height of 6 feet is recommended to keep deer out of enclosed areas. A sturdy and highly visible 6-foot-tall permanent high-tensile electrified fence is ideal. Peanut butter or molasses on a pie tin can be used as bait to attract deer to the fence, where they will receive a safe but intense shock that will deter them from entering the enclosed area.
Deer frequently run through electric fences without seeing them, so it is important to use a strong electric current that will deliver a shock when a deer encounters the fence. A grounding system is essential for this purpose. For every output joule of the energizer, you will need three feet of buried ground rod, with ground rods spaced at least 10 feet apart. A volt meter will allow you to test your electric fence and ensure it is functioning properly, with the fence running at 5,000-6,000 volts for deer.
It is also important to use good-quality plastic or ceramic insulators to isolate the hot wires from the ground. Metal posts like T-posts require high-quality insulators to ensure the electric wire does not come into contact with the metal post, which would cause a short circuit. Grass or debris can also cause an electric fence to short out, so it is important to keep the area under the fence mowed.
While a 6-foot fence is generally recommended, deer are agile and excellent jumpers, so a taller fence may be more effective in some cases. An 8-foot fence is often suggested as a more secure option, and some sources recommend a 10-foot minimum height to keep deer out of enclosed areas.
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A 3-wire fence is a less common but effective design
A 3-wire electric fence is a less common but effective design for deterring deer. This type of fence is particularly useful for small areas with low to moderate deer activity. The design consists of two parallel fences set 38 inches apart. The outer fence, which faces the deer, has two wires at 15 and 43 inches above the ground. The inner fence has a single wire at 30 inches above the ground.
The three-dimensional nature of the two parallel, offset fence lines acts as a psychological deterrent for deer, making them hesitant to jump over. The deer will receive a shock if they attempt to crawl under the fence. This design has a low profile and is less visible than a tall fence, which can be advantageous in certain situations.
To ensure the effectiveness of a 3-wire electric fence, proper grounding is essential. It is recommended to have three feet of buried ground rod for every output joule of the energizer, with ground rods spaced at least 10 feet apart. The fence should be regularly maintained by mowing the area underneath to prevent grass or debris from causing a short circuit.
For the wires, solid aluminium, high tensile, or poly wire are commonly used. Poly wire or poly tape contains multiple thin metal strands braided with plastic filaments. Plastic wire tighteners are used to keep the lines rigid, and ceramic or plastic insulators isolate the hot wires from the ground. The fence should be baited to attract deer, causing them to touch it with their noses or tongues and receive a safe but intense shock. This experience will deter the deer from attempting to cross the fence again.
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A Gallagher S40 solar charger powers the fence
A Gallagher S40 solar charger is a great option to power an electric fence to keep deer away. The Gallagher S40 solar charger is a powerful and convenient option for those looking to protect their crops from deer. With 0.4 Joules of stored energy, it can power up to 25 miles or 80 acres of fencing. This makes it an ideal choice for those with large areas to protect or those who may need to power multiple fences.
The S40 solar charger is designed with portability and ease of use in mind. It features a water-resistant case, a convenient carry handle, and built-in lightning protection. This makes it safe to leave outside in all weather conditions. The charger also comes with a 360-degree mounting bracket, allowing it to be easily oriented towards the sun. This ensures that the solar panel can effectively capture sunlight and keep the fence powered.
One of the key advantages of the Gallagher S40 is its automated battery management system. This system allows the charger to continue working for up to 3 weeks without sunlight. This feature ensures that your fence remains operational even during extended periods of cloudy or rainy weather. Additionally, the S40's "Wildlife Mode" and "Full Power Mode" settings allow for customizable power usage, conserving energy when animals are less active.
The Gallagher S40 solar charger is a versatile and reliable option for powering an electric deer fence. Its portability, ease of installation, and long-lasting battery life make it a convenient choice for those seeking an effective deer deterrent. By utilizing solar power, the S40 provides a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution to protect your crops or garden from deer intrusion.
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A good ground is essential for delivering a shock
To test your electric fence and ensure it is working properly, use a volt meter. Your fence will need to run at 5,000-6,000 volts for deer. For the best results, use a volt meter made by the same manufacturer as the energizer.
When installing an electric deer fence, it is important to use good quality plastic or ceramic insulators to isolate the hot wires from the ground. Most deer fences use solid aluminium, high-tensile, or poly wire. Poly fence wire or wider poly tape contains multiple thin metal strands that are braided together with plastic filaments. Plastic wire tighteners keep the lines rigid. Double insulated cable that can be buried in the ground is used to connect both the hot wires and ground rods to the energizer. Lighter gauge aluminium wire connects the hot wires together at both ends of the fence.
To prevent your electric deer fence from shorting out, ensure that the electric wire does not come into contact with the metal post. Keep the area under the electric deer fence mowed, as grass or debris can also cause the fence to short out.
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A sturdy and highly visible fence is best
Deer are incredibly agile and quick, and they frequently run through electric fences without even seeing them. Therefore, the first step in successfully keeping deer out is to put up a sturdy and highly visible fence.
In most instances, a sturdy and highly visible fence means a 6-foot-tall, permanent high-tensile electrified fence. If a permanent high-tensile fence is not an option, another solution is to use 7-foot T-posts with 7 strands of poly wire or poly tape, spaced 10 inches apart. For a taller fence, an 8-foot-high field fence is also an option.
To ensure the fence is effective, it's important to keep the area underneath mowed. This is because grass or debris can cause an electric fence to short out. Good-quality plastic or ceramic insulators are important to isolate the hot wires from the ground. Most deer fences use solid aluminium, high-tensile, or poly wire. Poly fence wire or wider poly tape contains multiple thin metal strands braided together with plastic filaments. Plastic wire tighteners keep the lines rigid. Double-insulated cable can be buried in the ground to connect the hot wires and ground rods to the energizer. Lighter-gauge aluminium wire connects the hot wires together at both ends of the fence.
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Frequently asked questions
The height of an electric fence depends on the deer pressure in the area. For very small areas like a 25 x 25 garden area, a 6-foot-high fence can be adequate in some areas with light deer pressure. For greater protection, fences should be at least 7 feet tall. To keep deer in, fences should be a minimum of 10 feet.
A good ground is essential to delivering a shock when a deer encounters your fence. You will need a grounding system to deliver this shock. For every output joule of the energizer, you will need three feet of buried ground rod. Install the ground rods in soil that stays moist year-round or that you can easily water.
Fences will need to run at 5,000-6,000 volts to keep deer out. These short-duration, high-energy pulses provide sufficient voltage to keep deer away from the fence.
Combining the fence with attractants or lures encourages deer to touch the fence with their noses or mouths, enhancing the aversive conditioning. One tactic is to attach aluminum flags to an electrified wire and coat the flags with peanut butter.
Electric fences are not a complete physical barrier, but they do produce an electric shock that conditions animals to avoid the fence. While pets or children who accidentally come into contact with the fence will receive an unpleasant shock, it will not cause permanent injury.
