Trystan Casey
Electric fencing is an effective tool for containing hogs and deterring them from entering crop fields and livestock pastures. Hogs are intelligent and aggressive animals with excellent memories, and they use their moist snouts to test and investigate new situations. Therefore, they can quickly learn to respect and avoid an electric fence, especially if they receive a powerful shock. To successfully contain hogs, it is essential to start training them early, ensure proper wire spacing, and maintain a strong electric current. While electric fencing can be advantageous, it may not be a permanent solution as hogs can become desensitized to the shock if their need for food is greater than their fear of the fence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fence height | At least 24 inches |
| Number of wires | Minimum of 3 strands of wire |
| Wire spacing | First wire 6 inches or less from the ground, subsequent wires at 8 inches, 10 inches, etc. |
| Fence charger | Zareba® fence charger that maintains a minimum of 2,000 volts on the fence line |
| Vegetation | All vegetation should be cleared away so that the fence is not accidentally grounded |
| Number of strands | At least 2 strands |
| Wire height | Low enough to hit juvenile and adult pigs on the nose (approximately 8 inches and 18 inches respectively) |
| Netting | More effective than multi-strand fences because it is more visible |
| Bait | Peanut butter or molasses on a pie tin or aluminum foil to attract feral hogs and deliver a shock |
| Training | Start when pigs are young (10-30 pounds) and provide plenty of space |
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What You'll Learn
Start training hogs early, while they're young
Training hogs to respect an electric fence from a young age is key to successfully containing them. Hogs are intelligent animals with excellent memories, so they learn quickly to avoid an electric fence once they have experienced a shock from it.
It is recommended to start training piglets when they are around 10-30 pounds. At this weight, they are large enough to physically ground themselves and complete an electric circuit. Before this, they are too small and won't feel the full effect of the fence. Once they are around a week old and start exploring their outdoor surroundings, they may touch the fence and get a small shock, but they won't fully understand the lesson to stay away.
To start training, set up an electric fence alongside a secure permanent fence that the piglets can't get through. Make sure the electric fence is at least 3000V. Introduce the piglets to the fence and monitor them for a few hours. You can also use netting, which is more effective than multi-strand fences as it is more visible.
It is important to provide plenty of space for the piglets so they don't want to escape. Additionally, ensure that all vegetation is cleared away from the fence to prevent it from being accidentally grounded. At least two strands of wire should be used, with the lowest wire starting 6 inches or less from the ground and the next wires spaced closely at even intervals up to the height of the piglet's nose (e.g. 8 inches, 10 inches, etc.).
By starting this training early, you can effectively contain your hogs and prevent them from attempting to break through the fence, even if it is switched off or broken.
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Use peanut butter or molasses as bait for the fence
Feral hogs, also known as wild hogs, can cause significant damage to crops and livestock. They can transmit diseases to both humans and animals, so it is important to keep them away from fields and pastures. Electric fencing is one of the most effective ways to exclude feral hogs. To make this method even more successful, you can use peanut butter or molasses as bait on the fence.
Firstly, you need to decide whether to use peanut butter or molasses as your bait. Peanut butter is a great option as it is calorie-dense and will fatten up the hogs. It is also a good choice if you are only targeting hogs, as it is less likely to attract other animals. You can buy peanut butter cheaply in bulk from food processing plants, as they often have batches that do not pass food-grade inspection. Alternatively, you can use molasses, which is a very thick, sweet substance that works as an excellent attractant for hogs. Molasses can be more expensive, especially in bulk, but its strong scent and flavour make it ideal for luring in hogs.
Once you have chosen your bait, you can apply it to the fence. Spread peanut butter or molasses on a pie tin or piece of aluminium foil and attach it to the electric fence at the hogs' nose height. The smell of the bait will attract the hogs, and they will likely touch it with their nose or tongue, receiving a safe but powerful shock. This method will train the hogs to avoid the fence in the future.
You can also use peanut butter or molasses as part of a larger bait mix to attract hogs to your trap or fence. For example, you can mix peanut butter with sweet corn, which is a staple in hog baits due to its recognisable smell. Alternatively, create a mixture of molasses, corn, anise oil, apple juice, and sugar. This sweet and sticky combination will be irresistible to hogs and will keep them coming back for more.
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Install the fence with the bottom touching the ground
To install an electric fence to contain hogs, it is important to ensure that the bottom of the fence touches the ground to prevent the hogs from crawling underneath. Here is a step-by-step guide to installing an electric fence with the bottom touching the ground:
Planning and Layout
First, plan the layout of your electric fence by considering the number of hogs you need to contain and determining the spacing and number of wires required. Decide on the length, height, and number of wires necessary for your fence. It is recommended to have at least three strands of wire for hogs, with the lowest wire starting 6 inches or less from the ground. The next wires should be closely spaced at even intervals up to the height of the hog's nose (approximately 8 inches). The overall height of the fence should be at least 24 inches.
Install Grounding Posts
To install electric fencing, you need to place grounding posts in the ground. Use a post-hole digger to create holes for the posts. Install at least one grounding post that is 6 feet long or longer, placing one grounding rod near the charger. Leave at least 2 inches of the post above the ground. It is recommended to set another grounding post 10 to 20 feet from the first post.
Install Fence Posts
Determine the number of fence posts you will need based on the size of your fence. Metal posts are easy to set in the ground and are ideal for electric fences. Ensure that at least 1/3 of the overall length of each post is buried securely in the ground. Corner posts should be larger in diameter and properly braced, with at least 1/3 of their length buried underground. Space your posts appropriately, avoiding the common mistake of installing them too frequently.
Attach Grounding Wire
Attach a grounding wire that extends from the ground terminal of the charger to all the grounding posts. Use ground rod clamps and galvanized wire or insulated cable to connect the ground rods to each other and to the fence charger. Ensure you have a good ground system with sufficient ground rods, as this is crucial for delivering an effective shock to the hogs.
Install Wires and Charger
Install the electric fence wires, spacing them according to the height of the hogs to ensure the wires touch the hogs' noses. Once the wires are installed, connect the fence charger (energizer) to the fence and ground system. Before connecting, turn on the charger and check the voltage with a digital voltmeter; it should read 5,000 volts or more. After connecting the fence and ground system, check the voltage again to ensure it does not drop by more than 2,000 volts. Install the charger in a weather-resilient spot near an AC outlet or an area with ample sunlight if using a solar charger.
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Use netting instead of multi-strand fences
Netting is more effective than multi-strand fences as it is more visible to hogs. Netting is also a good option if you need to frequently move your fence, as it is incredibly easy to move, set up, and tear down. Netting can also be used to train piglets to respect an electric fence.
To train piglets, you can set up netting from the two-week point until a couple of weeks after they are weaned. Once they are old enough, you can test their respect for the fence by running a single line of polywire a couple of inches off the ground (snout height) to section off a corner. If they squeal, you know they have learned to respect the fence. If they don't, they may need a few shocks for the message to settle in. Once you can see that the piglets are respecting the fence, you can repeat the test in a different corner to be extra sure.
After this, you can start moving them to an area contained by a three-strand setup without any perimeter fence. If you are in a setting where you need to move the fence along with the netting, you can use a deep-cell marine battery. Two strands of polywire at snout and ear-tipped height should be enough to contain most piglets.
Netting is also a good option if you are raising your pigs on level ground. If you are raising them in the woods, a three-strand setup may be better as netting can get grounded out when the pigs toss leaves, branches, and other debris on it.
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Ensure proper wire spacing to avoid hogs getting their heads between wires
To ensure proper wire spacing and avoid hogs getting their heads between wires, it is important to understand the behaviour and physical characteristics of hogs. Hogs are intelligent animals and can learn quickly to respect and avoid an electric fence. They also have excellent memories, so they will remember to avoid the fence even if it is switched off or broken.
When installing an electric fence for hogs, it is important to start the lowest fence wire 6 inches or less from the ground. This is because pigs tend to root, or dig, and the wire should be close enough to the ground to prevent them from doing so. The next wires should be spaced at even intervals up to the height of the pig's nose (approximately 8 inches, 10 inches, etc.). It is recommended to have a minimum of 3 strands of wire for pigs and a fence height of at least 24 inches.
Proper wire spacing is critical to safely containing your pigs. If a pig gets its head between the fence wires and receives a shock behind the eyes instead of in front, it may push into the fence rather than pull out. To avoid this, include a hot wire at the animal's shoulder height. Additionally, a low-impedance fence charger is recommended to overcome weeds and mud, which can insulate pigs from electric shock.
Hog wire fencing, also known as stock fence, consists of thick vertical wires with thinner horizontal wires woven in a continuous zigzag pattern. This creates rectangular openings that can be sized differently to accommodate various livestock. For example, smaller spacing of 4 inches is ideal for sheep and goats, while larger spacing of 6 to 8 inches is suitable for bigger animals like cows and hogs. Hog wire fencing is durable, affordable, low maintenance, and versatile, making it a popular choice for farmers.
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Frequently asked questions
A strong, 6-foot net-wire perimeter fence will deter most feral hogs. The fence should be installed with the bottom touching the ground to avoid hogs crawling underneath. The fence should be electrified with a minimum of 2,000 volts to ensure a powerful shock.
Hogs are intelligent animals with excellent memories, so they will quickly learn to avoid an electric fence. The key is to start training them when they are young, so they learn to respect the fence from an early age. It is also important to ensure the fence is hot and strong, with no glitches, to avoid the hogs breaking through.
The height of the fence will depend on the size of the hogs. For adult pigs, the lowest wire should start 6 inches from the ground, with the next wires closely spaced at even intervals up to the height of the pig’s nose (e.g. 8 inches, 10 inches, etc.). The minimum fence height for feral hogs should be 3 feet.
Yes, there are some risks associated with electric fences for hogs. Accidental head or neck contact can be dangerous and even fatal, so it is important to never place your head or upper spine near an electrified wire. Additionally, in areas frequented by humans, the charge on the fence may need to be reduced to avoid injury.
