Electric fencing for poultry range pen

[Glenn]

I have built a poultry range pen based on this design,
http://www.plamondon.com/poulthous_files/poulthouse_hoophousediagram.gif.

The design suggests running a single strand of electric wire around
the base of the pen to prevent predators from digging under the 2x4
frame. The issue I have is how to provide adequate ground when I will
be moving this pen between two fields that are around 1-2 acres in
size. The pen will be moved every day or so throughout one field and
between the two fields every month or so. Neither field has any
fencing and I don't want to install permanent fencing at this point
and both fields are over 100 yards from main power, so running a plug-
in electric fencer isn't practical.

I was hoping to have a very portable system and move the fencer with
the coop, but I don't know how to provide adequate ground, so I am
thinking my best option is to locate the fencer centrally and run a
hot wire out to the range pen. This would also allow me to electrify
fence netting if I want to allow the chickens to range freely around
the pen - hawk/owls are a problem here, though.

So, is that my best bet? Will this be effective if the range pen/
fence is located up on a hill side 100-200 ft from the ground rods and
fencer. The soil on the hill side is thin, rocky, and dry while the
area at the bottom where the fencer would be located is fairly damp
since it is under trees along a marshy streamside. I don't know if
that impacts the effectiveness of the fence.

Are positive/negative net fences effective? Do they require a special
fencer? I read that they don't require fixed ground rods, but I am
concerned that a raccoon would push under the fence without touching
both positive and negative wires.

Thanks for any advice. Glenn, Lititz PA

[Valleyfa...@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/22/2008 9:59:50 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, GlennS...@gmail.com writes:

http://www.plamondon.com/poulthous_files/poulthouse_hoophousediagram.gif.

Glenn,

 

I would keep the charger and ground in the same place and run lead out wire on top of the ground to the coop from the charger. that sounds like the way I would do it. other wise you will have to move the ground with the coop.

 

 

 

J.C. Remsberg
Valley Farm Supply

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[Valleyfa...@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/22/2008 9:59:50 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, GlennS...@gmail.com writes:

http://www.plamondon.com/poulthous_files/poulthouse_hoophousediagram.gif.

Netting should have a low impedance charger on it