5 Ways to Use an Electric Fence

Personally, I’d love to have one around my house to keep the steers out of the yard but obviously with kids, that ain’t happening but there really are many uses for electric fencing.  First off, if you don’t know about them, here’s my brief description:

• A wire fence carries an electric charge. This is the “hot,” above-ground part of the system.
• An energizer (also known as a charger) pushes power through the fence. To meet safety standards, most systems deliver power in a series of pulses, usually about one per second. That time between pulses helps the animal to break free of the fence. (A continuous current might cause the animal to “lock on,” unable to let go.)
• A ground system, usually a series of metal rods sunk into the earth and connected to the energizer via a ground wire, waits dormant until the fence is touched by any animal that is also in contact with the ground. The ground system attracts the charge through the animal and returns the current to the energizer through the ground wire.

The system operates on a very simple principle: Electricity will only travel through a closed circuit. The fence wire, energizer and ground rods are three parts of a circuit waiting to be closed; when a horse touches the wire, he closes the gap, and — assuming nothing blocks or impedes the flow of electricity — a surge of current will travel through him from the fence to the rods planted in the ground. Once the circuit is complete, the animal will feel a shock that is likely to keep  him from touching the fence again.

5 WAYS TO USE AN ELECTRIC FENCE

Rotate grazing areas–Prevent overgrazing by moving stock every eight to 12 hours. Control your stock’s grazing patterns by using 30-foot pickets, or stringing a temporary electric fence.  This is a very common use and works really well.

Create your own corral. Stalling horses at rodeo and such can get expensive.  Most of the time you don’t have any other options but if you do find an event that allow portable panels and electric fences in the trailer parking area, bring your own pens to save money. Companies like Fi-Shock offer a variety of portable fences and panels that are easy to set up around your horse trailer. This offers a safe, fairly roomy place for your horse to spend the night.

Hay Protection–Many times, smaller ranch owners will bale hay and either stock it in the barn or stack somewhere in the pasture. Using an electric fence will help keep the cows from eating it, until you’re ready for them to.

Keep the critters away…from your garden that is!  One of the biggest problems with gardens is trying to keep those pesky critters from eating and rooting it all up.  Set the electric fence to on at night and off during the day.

Separating groups of animals–Got sheep and goats?? Use an electric fence to keep them separated.  Another very common use.

Electric fencing is affordable, very easy to build and maintain, super durable, easy to modify, and is great to deterrent trespassers and predators.  As ranch folks, we’ve used it our whole lives and will continue to  use it.

How do you use electric fencing?  I wonder if it can keep rattlesnakes out of the yard?? hehehe

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Fi-Shock. All opinions are 100% mine.