countrytalkandtips.myfreeforum.org

pinkcow · Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Posts: 30

hi all we have three weaners about four to five months old saddleback crosses and they have a great knack for escaping from both electric fenced (tape and poultry netting) and sheepwire fenced fields they have even escaped by climbing a stone wall and squeezing through the bars of an iron gate Shocked

its almost like a game to them now but they have me heart broke

any ideas as to how we can keep them in? my plan b if they continue to escape involves piggy murder Evil or Very Mad

Bríd

macconraoi · Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject:

Electric fencers must have a good output what power (joules) does your one give ? also we ended up putting 12 earth rods on our fencer as dry weather equates to poor earth performance.The worst thing that can happen is pigs losing respect for the wire they will try to escape,get stuck in it and will probably ruin the wire on the way out.Three tight strands normally does the trick.
_________________
Try Anything Once !

patmk · Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 10:41 pm Post subject:

hi what I use is 8strand high tincil sheep wire, with one strand of electric wire at 6-9 inch off the ground but the voltage at the place where you need it to work is important. I get 6,200 to7,000 volts . and the only way to get voltage like this with weeds etc is a damb good earth system.
is there any one in your area got a good pig fence you could copy?
_________________
We Are The Borg! You Will Be Assimilated! Resistance Is Futile

macconraoi · Posted: Sun May 31, 2009 11:26 pm Post subject:

The only problem is sheep wire is expensive we only use it for starter pens to get the pigs used to elec. fencing.Three tight strands works fine after that
_________________
Try Anything Once !

dara · Joined: 01 Aug 2007 Posts: 186 Location: Mayo

Hi pinkcow, you mentioned tape - i assume it's the white stuff. I found it to be very unsatisfactory and after trying woven nylon etc. found the best thing for the electric fence was tying wire (as used to tie reinforcing steel in concrete). It's very cheap, easy to work with, will not burn out if touched by weeds and you can strain it to make a pretty good fence on its own.
As macconroaoi said a starter area to get them trained is very useful and I'd add that 3 pigs don't need much space anyway. Better to have them safely confined in a small area than wondering about - they can make the neighbours VERY upset.

pinkcow · Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Posts: 30

oh dhia dont talk to me about neighbours Sad

we use the white tape alright not sure what the voltage of the machine is but I have had a good few sharp shocks meself, I know that when I switch it on that the highest it goes up to is 7.0, maconraoi, what exactly do you mean about poor earth performance what I do is attach the clip from the machine to the fence and then the other wire goes into the ground to earth it, should I be doing something else?

thanks a million for the advice
Bríd Very Happy

macconraoi · Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:12 pm Post subject:

You can have a high power energiser but it will only be as good as the earth you provide a Gallagher Technician told me when i bought our energiser that all fencers including Battery ones should have at least 3 earth rods And a mains one should have at least 6.I basically use 3 rods and connect 12 more steel posts that make up our fowl pen.
_________________
Try Anything Once !

blowin · Posted: Mon Jun 01, 2009 11:58 pm Post subject:

I didn't realise that earthing was so important - I just use the one metal stake which was supplied with the power pack . If I understand you correctly then what I should do is simply attach another couple of steel rods to the one which is already in place ? Presumably they can all be quite close together ?
Hi pinkcow and a belated welcome to the forum Wink

. I had a similar problem with piglets going thru electric tape . One in particular learnt that if she leaned forward as she sniffed the tape then the jolt would make her jump through the line before she got another belt . I put in in a fourth strand , reduced the gap between the strands to about 4" and stretched it as tight as I could . That sorted her out .
The other thing is that some of the power units produce more surges per minute than others . The one I am now using is adjustable . I run it on max ( 40 per minute ) for the first few days . That has proved effective . Good luck .

patmk · Posted: Tue Jun 02, 2009 9:49 pm Post subject:

if you test your earth with a voltmeter for fencers to a very good earth eg sheep wire on the ground or maby a shed to check for a voltage between your fence earth and the very good earth
if there is any voltage differance even less than 100 volts than put in another earth rod after you find no voltage differance put in one more and you can say you have a good earth
_________________
We Are The Borg! You Will Be Assimilated! Resistance Is Futile

joker · Joined: 11 Jan 2009 Posts: 23 Location: ROI

I don't know about pigs but am told that the best , possibly only , way to keep goats in is to hold their nose against the electric wire to give them a good couple of belts first time they see it . Am reliably informed they won't go near it after that . Suggest you wear wellies while doing so .