I need your help with the fox

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anonymous
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Second thoughts on electric wire above fence.
If the fox is jumping the fence, then when he is in the air he cannot get a shock. He must be in contact with the ground to get a shock.
Really though, I suspect you don't want to try anything. If it fails then you lose more of your flock.
I think it's the fox or your flock or spending an awful lot of money. Difficult decision.
 
Hiya, you suggest a tester, I have bought one from an electric fence company but it runs on a lighting system and to be honest I can only really see it in the dark, I have spoken to our farm shop and the one they recommend is £150 and apparently is amazing, however as the proud owner of four chickens I am rapidly spending so much money on my girls that at this rate each egg is gold plated. Is there anything that works but doesn't cost yet more money?
 
The flashing light tester I use is really good - it is in a glass tube and is permanently attached to the fence. I notice it at night when locking up flashing away - but also if you look closely at it during the day, you can see it flash. It is this one here - http://www.ukcountrystore.co.uk/acatalog/Flashing-Electric-Fencing-Light.html
 
I do like yours Tim, however, I prefer to know the actual voltage level of the fence particulary now where I want the power to be as high as possible knowing there is a hungry vixen and cubs exploring.The higher the voltage the more effective the fence is as a detterent, this is important when the fox has got through and is likely to have another go.
In your circumstances Fiona I wouldn't like the fence to drop below 3,000v and would ideally like it at around 5,000 - 6,000v
Testing a fence at night or dusk should be fine, as long as conditions haven't changed, and a quick physical check of the fence should identify any potential problems, also as it has been dry pay particular attention to your earth post make sure it is deep enough and has been watered in.

You can also thread extra galvanised wire around the base, this adds a bit more strength and robustness to the fence (prevents sagging) and also delivers a good shock at muzzle level.

http://www.paddockperfection.co.uk/6-level---multi-stage-electric-fence-voltage-tester-201-p.asp
 
Ah I'm a bit lazy there Foxy... I should use a tester and check the voltage, you are right.

The thing with my light is it flashes less if the voltage is low - so it may flash every 7 pulses if the voltage is lower. Not the best way of checking it but I tend to have the habbit of watching it flash a couple of times as I walk up the field.... It's a bit like thunder and lightning, I can't help but count after the flash until the thunder clap to see how far away the storm is :roll:

I may buy this one, the next time I place an order with Andy @ UKCountrystore: http://www.ukcountrystore.co.uk/acatalog/Superior-Electric-Fence-Tester.html

My Energiser is 3.8 Joules stored charge / 8000 Volts similar in size to yours I believe - and even with light vegetation touching it, (500 Ohms resistance) it still gives 4000 Volts. I deliberately over sized it to allow for this.

(It's the Copel A4 here: http://www.ukcountrystore.co.uk/acatalog/A4-12v-Battery-Electric-Fence-Energiser.html )
 
thanks foxy, thats the one I have, maybe I just have to live with only being able to check it at night. I make sure it has three lights flashing at a minimum. We have a gallagher paddock master energiser with a 9V alkeline battery? hope thats OK, what do you experts think?
 
The 9V energisers are less powerful - but I think this one can be used with a 12 V battery too? It may not reach its full specification running from a 9V supply (manufacturers often quote the best results).

When I looked it up it said 0.19 Joules of stored energy / a 2KM fence without growth touching it.

Measure your netting and then look at the number of wires that run down it (usually between 5 and 9) and then multiply the length of the netting by the number of wires and check that you don't exceed 2000M / 2KM. It soon adds up...

Then make sure no grass touches the bottom wire... and it should be good...
 
Foxes serve no good purpose! they are killing and eating machines! a high majority of them have mange, no councils will do anything to help get rid of city ones, as they can barely empty the bins! live trapping is a good way of getting rid of them and remember they wouldn't think ahh "just think of the stress i'm putting this persons chickens through!!!!" they kill the lot and leave you with a mess to clear up in the morning!
 
I have 1500 m netting, the only thing is I am only using a really short part of it (if I had it out in full it would be bigger than the garden) and the rest is in a roll tied up. It is stuck into the ground with the posts and the bottom wires are not touching the grass but... still most of it is is in a roll and I can't think that helps much. There is nothing touching the bottom live wire (the very bottom one is not live and is pegged into the ground).
 
Re: post by The Caretaker » Mon May 30, 2011 1:05 pm

Foxes serve no good purpose! they are killing and eating machines! a high majority of them have mange, no councils will do anything to help get rid of city ones, as they can barely empty the bins! live trapping is a good way of getting rid of them and remember they wouldn't think ahh "just think of the stress i'm putting this persons chickens through!!!!" they kill the lot and leave you with a mess to clear up in the morning!
Click to expand...

:-)12 Hmmm... :-)05 ... Bit touchy over the fox's possition in the eco system huh ? However... The only thing I disagree with is the
Foxes serve no good purpose!
Click to expand...
I'm sad to say they do ... bit of a bugger for sure, but they're right up there with the sun comming up in the morning .... Neaded or we suffer for it :mrgreen: :ugeek: jmho. :-)99
 
The coiled roll of netting shouldn't be a problem (providing it is not shorting out) but if you're not using it, maybe you could cut it off - this would take some of the load off your energiser and give it more power for your fence...

@Caretaker and Rebelodicus - posts about foxes are one of those things that finds people with opposite views, that's for sure! :-)05
 
Agree with Tim. To me they're British wildlife & have their place & I love seeing them, but their place isn't around or with my chickens. We recently lost 3 of ours to a fox (a Pekin-cross cockerel & 2 of our ancient ex-batts) - happened mid-morning & while our builders were here (so either a v brave, almost tame animal or else v desperate) & a few nights later it (or another) wiped out all of our neighbours orps & banties. We've had chickens for 3 years & even though there are plenty of foxes in the woods around here they never came near ours or the neighbours birds. I think the only reason they didn't come near was our lovely Springer dog - he marked most of our outside space (garden, yard & some of the woods) as his. Sadly we lost him (prostate cancer) back in the autumn & since then the foxes have been working their way nearer & nearer our chickens. It never even occured to me that when we lost Foggy we'd lost the best fox deterrant we could have & I admit that I'd become quite complacent about foxes. I've had a big kick up the backside since our fox attack but I'm devastated that it came at such a high price.
 
I'm sad to say they do ... bit of a bugger for sure, but they're right up there with the sun comming up in the morning .... Neaded or we suffer for it :mrgreen: :ugeek: jmho. :-)99
Click to expand...

When you have seen them drag a few new born sheep off, and you have asked the land owner where his dog is and he tells you it's been put down as it had mange! When there are that many, they are coming into peoples back gardens and even homes and as we know, even, bedrooms!
They should be culled not fed scraps, so that they learn that going through the garden system in your area will turn up food and........................maybe the odd chicken coop! ever wondered where your favourite cat disapeared to? I see more than most probably as i spend 90% of my spare time in the deepest Worcester countryside, they are magnificent creatures but really! not a lot of good to any one! JMHO :)
 
OK as Tim has mentioned previously, topics around foxes can ignite a lot of emotions, this is perfectly understandable as quite a few of here have suffered from a hungry vixen :(

It would be great if we could rein in our emotions and keep this thread on track with all the excellent information provided.

Many thanks! :D
 
o would say that rolling the wire may be the problem. unless it is rolled in such a way that no wires are touching anything but there own type then you will be touching live to earth and thus draining the battery and loosing power.
 
Just a note for Tim and Foxy.

I am not aware of any friction between myself and The Caretaker. We have voiced different views and added "JMHO" even adding emoticons... I feel a very interesting and heated discution could be had BUT.. you are right that we are off topic and others may read what is said incorretly and become upset on their own part. Baring this in mind and the discomfort it brings to our mods, I'm very happy to drop it and not start a thread entitled anything close to foxes or any related topic on our wildlife... I'll assume Badgers are a no no also ......... :-)05 :-)04
 
I had no intention to sound angry it's just the fact I have had so many instances of when foxes just do senseless things and then when you have people say they are luvly wuvly fury bundles of fun as long as they don't eat my chickens! :D I find that more amazing than anything else has been said. But even then it's only once again an opinion so alls fair in love and war :D :-)17 :D
 
My curent method of "Raider" control is to make sure my security is better than next doors. (Next allotement and his neighbours. So far we are all lucky. I have two pens with 2 meter high "Proofed and dug" in rabbit wire and a realy big Cock :-)11 :-)07

They have varying access to the lottie and the fence for that is mobile and loose rabbit wire at a meter... a child could jump it,push under it but even through; the chooks don't (Clippped wings and lots to forage eat.)

Rats the size of small domestic animals have been found stomped to death with the girls pecking for protein before I get there to clear it up ! A neighbours collie came close to Slayer the Cockrell 2 days ago .... went away with a yelp as the bird went for him... he's as tall as the dog and full of attitude. (Unlike the Buff Orp he is) There is no way I could ever aford electric fencing.... let alone provide it with power ... Wish me and my big Cock luck ...... :-)17
 
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