If you have backyard chickens or other poultry, the chances are that you need to keep them safe from predators. At any given time, chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and other poultry animals face a threat from coyotes, wild dogs, boars, raccoons, and other wild predators waiting to feast upon your birds. And that is why every backyard poultry farmer needs an electric poultry netting to keep their flock safe.
Electric poultry netting fence keeps your birds confined to a safe area where they can free-range in peace. It prevents unwanted predators from getting to the birds. The electric netting fence also prevents your fowl from eating the garden produce.
Electric poultry netting gently shocks the animal or birds and prevents them from going where they are not supposed to go. Very soon, your birds ‘learn’ to avoid the fence altogether and unwanted wild animals are also stopped from getting into the free-ranging area or causing harm to your feathered babies.
The best part about portable electric poultry netting is that it can be easily moved to allow your chickens to free-range in another area.
Chickens need a ‘change’ of grass and dirt from time to time, to stay healthy. And that is why a portable electric netting fence ensures keeping your birds safe and also offers them variety and ‘change of scene’ regularly.
Here are the benefits of electric poultry netting fence:
- Easy to move and set up
- Successfully keeps predators out
- Peace of mind for chicken keepers, knowing that their birds are protected round-the-clock.
How to Set Up Electric Poultry Netting
- Mow the lawn or the grass in the area you wish to set up the fence
- Invest in a reliable power source. An electronic AC/DC source could increase your energy bills so you can look at solar-powered options. Note that you need to buy the power source separately, although some fence kits include everything needed to set it up. So make sure you know what all you are getting in the kit when you buy it online.
- Select the fence based on the size of the area you want to cover.
- Grab the fencing and set up the first post. Press the post down on the extension provided for your foot to push it into the ground. In case you have very hard soil, you might have to apply some pressure or even hammer down the fence posts.
- To give the first post some stability, thread a rope through and knot it to secure it with the in-post.
- Pull the net tight to prevent sagging and repeat the process of inserting each subsequent post into the ground. You can also add some extra posts in between to prevent the net from sagging.
- Before sealing and securing the fenced area, it is time to move your chickens into the area along with their waterer, feeders, and other coop supplies.
- After you have moved all of your birds and their supplies into the fenced area, you can attach the last post and seal the area completely.
- Now it is time to energize the fence. Use a solar energizer which comes with a grounding rod – usually black in color; and a red clamp to energize the fence.
- For grounding the energizer, install a strong metal post into the earth. Make sure that the metal post is dug deep into the ground at least 8-10 inches. Attach the black clamp of the energizer to the ground post and the red clamp to the fence.
- Switch on the power button, and your fence is set!
How Effective is Electric Poultry Netting
An electric poultry fence provides a ‘psychological barrier’ against predators. Animals or birds get a mild shock each time they come in contact with the fence and learn not to touch the fence.
Electric poultry netting fences may not be as sturdy as permanent wooden fences, but they effectively stop predators from getting in (and your birds from getting out) due to the fear of a shock.
Electric fences are also usually cheaper compared to permanent fences.
You can also easily remove these fences in case you have to relocate.
This portability feature also offers your birds a chance to free-range in different areas – an important aspect to consider since chickens need different grass and dirt to stay healthy.
On the downside, electric poultry netting fences may not be 100% reliable. An electrical short in the fence’s wire can cause it to stop working. Electric netting fences that run on solar energizer might not work effectively on cloudy or rainy days.
You need to also invest in a voltage tester to ensure keeping the fence at 3000V at least in order to be effective against large predators. Electric poultry netting also needs frequent repairs and inspections to ensure it is working.
Even with an electric fence, your chickens will still need protection from overhead predators like hawks and eagles that can quickly swoop down from the top.
The Best Electric Poultry Netting
1. Premier 1 Supplies Electric Poultry Netting
If you are looking to install electric-poultry netting that installs in a short amount of time, then this is the netting for you.
It comes with PVC posts fitted with spikes. You need to purchase a solar-powered energizer or an AC/DC energizer separately.
The electric netting contains your flock and keeps them safe from coyotes, raccoons, snakes, and other predators.
Pros
- Top-rated poultry fence
- Keeps wild dogs, coyotes, hunting dogs, possums, foxes, and other wild animals out
- Easy to set up and very easy to move
- Setup instructions and video are included on top retail sites.
Cons
- Needs additional hardware and support to stand upright
- Sags in places
- Poles aren’t strong enough to hold the weight of the netting; you need to buy separate non-conductive support posts to use at the ends.
- You also need to purchase a separate charger.
2. RentACoop Poultry Netting Electric Fence
Keep stray dogs, coyotes, wolves, and other unwanted animals out of your farm and keep your farm animals enclosed and protected with this electric fence netting from RentACoop.
As the poles are pre-fastened to the fence, set up does not take more than 15 minutes. It also has double spiked posts to provide extra support.
Pros
- RentACoop electric fences come in two dimensions – 48×164′ and 48×100′.
- It is very easy to install and easy to move
- The fence protects your poultry animals even in the rain and snow
Cons
- You must mow the area before you install
- The fence tends to sag if you have a hilly terrain
- You need to buy the energizer separately
- It is also essential to buy a tester to ensure that the voltage of the fence is adequate (above 3000 V) to prevent predators.
3. Premier Enhanced Electric Poultry Net Fence
Premier 1 Supplies electric net fence is available in three different colors and compared to other electric fences out there, it is a lot easier to assemble and disassemble.
When properly energized, Premier Enhanced electric poultry netting is excellent for most livestock confinement.
Pros
- The electric fence is great for confining turkeys, chickens, ducks, and other small poultry animals.
- It also keeps deer, cats and dogs, raccoons, coyotes, and other wild animals out of the yard.
- The fence comes with PVC posts fitted at regular intervals to prevent sagging.
- Carries the charge well
- Durable netting
- Easy to move from area to area whenever you want your chickens to get new grass or bugs.
Cons
- Did not work for some people; chickens walked right through
- Needs separate equipment and charger
- Posts are thin and tend to bend when pressure is applied.
- Net tends to sag in places; you need additional posts to prevent that.
4. Farmily Portable Electric Fence Polywire
Farmily portable electric fence is ideal for temporary, portable confinement of your backyard animals. It is easy to install, repair, and rewind, and can be used over and over again.
Pros
- Rust-proof
- Lightweight
- UV resistant
- Long-lasting
- Reusable
- Temporary and portable
Cons
- Thin and prone to breakage
- Not for permanent fencing needs
5. Zareba Garden Protector Electric Fence Kit
Zareba electric fence is made in the US. It helps keep pets and small animals in and large, wild animals out.
The complete kit covers about 100 ft. It comes with a battery, so you do not have to buy it separately.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Unlike other electric fences, it comes with everything you need to install the fence
- You can even use it to protect your garden from predators
- Suitable for confining pets and prevents small animals and poultry from escaping.
- Prevents wild animals from getting in your backyard.
Cons
- Battery life could have been longer
- Some users couldn’t get it to work.
6. SmartFence Starkline Electric Poultry Fence
SamrtFence comes in two sizes: 82 inches and 164 inches. Starkline poultry fence is designed to confine ducks, chickens, turkeys, and other poultry fowl.
It includes a solar energizer, so you do not have to purchase one separately.
Pros
- Provides round the clock safety for your birds
- Available in two colors
- Easy to move – chickens need to move so that they get access to fresh grass and bugs from time to time
- Sturdy fiberglass construction
- Galvanized, rust-proof spiked stakes
- Quick and easy assembly
- Comes with a repair kit
Cons
- Few customer ratings.
Conclusion
Every chicken keeper wants to keep his flock safe from predators while also offering them a chance to free-range as they please. Chickens need a safe area to peck away at the worms and grass. But as a ‘chick-parent,’ your sole intention would be to keep them safe from harm.
This is where an electric poultry netting fence can come to your rescue. Electric fences keep birds confined to a safe area. They are easy to install and easy to move when needed. They are lightweight and also not as expensive as permanent fences tend to be.
Great artical! I am a sales rep at a company that manufactures electric chicken netting, we make electric chicken fence according to our customers’ requirements. Our customers come from large trading companies, who sell the products we produced on Amazon, Ebay or their online shop. They request for the size and we make it. So we lack a lot of feedback from end users, and we’d love to hear some different voices here, and we can make some attempts for that. Thank you all!