Setting Up Electric Poultry Netting: A Step-By-Step Guide

how to set up electric poultry netting

Electric poultry netting is an affordable and convenient fencing method for chickens. It is an effective way to keep chickens in a safe area and protect them from predators. The netting is lightweight, portable, and durable, and it can be easily set up to allow chickens temporary access to different areas. This paragraph will discuss the steps involved in setting up electric poultry netting, including determining energiser requirements, installing the netting, powering it up, and checking for lumps and bumps that animals could get under.

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Prepare the area and unroll the net

Electric poultry netting is an affordable and convenient fencing method to protect your chickens. It is also useful for farmers who plan to maintain a free-ranging flock or have some of them in a domestic setting. The netting is durable and can withstand harsh conditions. It is effective against predators and will keep away rabbits, feral deer, pigs, possums, and wallabies.

Before you begin, determine the energiser requirement of the netting. Unlike single-wire fences, electric poultry netting needs a larger-capacity energiser. If you use one net, a 0.2-joule energiser is recommended. For two nets, the ideal capacity is 0.5 joules, three nets need 0.7 joules, and five nets will require 1.5 joules. Avoid going beyond 2.0 joules, or the power will burn the fine wires in the netting.

Now, prepare the area and unroll the net. First, cut or trim the grass where your poultry pen will be sited and check that you have all the fencing components you need. Keep the twine that the netting is tied with, as this can be used later to tie posts or sections of the net together. Unroll the net, pushing the posts, which are already attached to the netting, firmly into the ground as you go. Don't worry if it's not in the exact right place, as it's easy to reposition if necessary. If you have a poultry netting kit, you will have a 1.5m gateway section, so remember to leave a space between the first and last posts of your net.

Use guy lines at the corner posts to pull the net completely upright. You can increase tension by tying the line halfway up the fence post rather than at the top. Make sure you peg the lines down firmly. If your kit comes with additional support struts or fence posts, use these now to provide additional support at any points where the net sags. Try to get all strands of the net apart from the bottom one off the ground.

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Install a ground earth rod

To install a ground earth rod for your electric poultry netting, you must first purchase a grounding rod. These are available at hardware stores and farm stores. Ground rods can be made of galvanized steel, copper-plated steel, or copper. Copper-plated rods can corrode over time, so some users opt for two rods connected by a length of bare copper ground wire. The rods should be a minimum of 6 feet apart.

When installing the rod, it is recommended to drive it into the ground at a 45-degree angle. This can be done with a hammer, but be careful not to hammer the rod straight down, as it may encounter a rock and stop. If your soil is sandy and dry, it is recommended to wet the ground around the rod to improve the grounding. You can also use a bucket with a tiny hole next to the rod to keep the ground damp.

The grounding rod should be connected to the energizer with an insulated wire. This will allow you to move the fence without having to install a new ground rod each time. The wire should be long enough to reach the desired fence location. Make sure the wire is rated for the correct voltage to prevent the electric pulse from arcing to the ground.

Once the grounding rod and wire are installed, you can connect the energizer to the fence with jumper clips. This will electrify the netting and complete the circuit. It is important to test the fence with a voltmeter to ensure it is working correctly and that there are no short circuits.

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Connect the net to the energiser

Electric poultry netting is an affordable and convenient fencing method to protect your chickens. It is also useful for farmers who plan to maintain a free-ranging flock or have some of them in a domestic setting.

Now, let's get into the details of connecting the net to the energiser:

First, determine the energiser requirement of the netting. Electric poultry netting needs a larger-capacity energiser than a single-wire fence. The number of nets you plan to use will determine the ideal capacity. For example, if you're using one net, a 0.2-joule energiser is recommended, while two nets require an ideal capacity of 0.5 joules. Ensure you don't go beyond 2.0 joules to avoid burning the fine wires in the netting.

Next, install a ground earth rod. This is an essential step before connecting the net to the energiser. You can then use jumper clips to connect the net to the energiser. If you already have an electric fence, you can simply attach the jumper clips to it. Remember that the bottom line of the net is not live, so once it's in place, carefully inspect the area for any lumps or bumps that might create gaps for animals to sneak through.

Finally, wire up your energiser, ensuring secure connections to both the earth spike and the net. Turn on the power and use a fence tester to check the voltage. If the voltage reads 3,000 volts or higher, your system is working correctly.

Although it is possible to install electric poultry netting on your own, having an assistant can be helpful. Additionally, remember that proper maintenance is essential to ensure the effectiveness of your fence in protecting your chickens from predators.

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Check for lumps and bumps

Electric poultry netting is an excellent fencing option for containing chickens, ducks, and other poultry. It is easy to install, flexible, and portable. It is also an effective barrier against predators such as wild dogs, quolls, foxes, raccoons, skunks, and coyotes.

When setting up electric poultry netting, it is crucial to check for lumps and bumps in the ground that may create gaps under the net. The bottom line of the netting is typically not live, so animals can touch it without receiving a shock. However, you want to ensure that they cannot escape or gain access to your poultry.

To prevent this, carefully examine the ground along the entire net after it is in place. Look for any lumps, bumps, or uneven areas that could create gaps large enough for an animal to squeeze under. If you find any such areas, you can use additional support struts or fence posts to lift the net and close any potential gaps. These can be woven in and out through the mesh to provide extra support and ensure that the net is taut and secure.

Additionally, you can fill in any gaps at the base with soil or other materials to create a smooth and even surface. This is especially important if you are placing the netting on uneven or bumpy terrain. By taking the time to check for and address any lumps and bumps, you can help ensure that your electric poultry netting effectively contains your poultry and keeps out unwanted visitors.

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Wire up the energiser

Once you have determined the energiser requirement of the netting, you can start wiring up the energiser. Electric poultry netting requires a larger-capacity energiser than single-wire fences. If you are using one net, a 0.2-joule energiser is recommended. For two nets, the ideal capacity is 0.5 joules, three nets need 0.7 joules, and five nets will require 1.5 joules. Avoid going beyond 2.0 joules, or the power will burn the fine wires in the netting.

Before wiring up the energiser, ensure that everything is secure and all posts are erected. You can then connect the power connectors by hand. You will need to install a ground earth rod first. Then, use the jumper clips to connect the net to the energiser. If you already have an electric fence, you can join the jumper clips to it.

When wiring up the energiser, make sure you have a secure connection with the net and the earth spike. Check the power by turning it on and using a fence tester to see the voltage. If the voltage is 3,000 volts or higher, your system is working.

Although it is possible to install electric poultry netting on your own, it may be helpful to have someone assist you.

Frequently asked questions

Setting up electric poultry netting is a simple process. First, cut and trim the grass where the pen will be. Then, unroll the net, pushing the posts into the ground as you go. If your kit has a gateway, remember to leave a space. Next, use guy lines to pull the net upright and increase tension by tying the line halfway up. Check for lumps and bumps where animals could get under and peg the bottom line down to close any gaps. Finally, power up the netting by connecting the power connectors and wiring up your energiser.

Electric poultry netting is a great way to protect chickens from predators and keep them in a designated area. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, poultry can fly over the netting, so you may need to clip their wings. Secondly, it will not contain small poultry such as baby chicks, so they should be kept in chicken tractors. Lastly, it does not protect against airborne predators.

It is recommended to determine the energiser requirement of the netting before setting up. A single net requires a 0.2-joule energiser, while five nets will need 1.5 joules. Avoid going beyond 2.0 joules to prevent burning the wires. It is also useful to have someone assist you during the setup process. Additionally, rolling and unrolling the fencing can make setup and takedown quicker and easier.

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