Electric fencing is a highly effective, non-lethal method of predator control for protecting poultry coops, gardens, and livestock areas. This system uses a quick, pulsed electrical charge to deliver a memorable deterrent shock upon contact. When applied to existing chicken wire, the goal is to create a multi-layered barrier that prevents common predators like raccoons, foxes, and coyotes from breaching the enclosure. Implementing this modification transforms a simple physical barrier into a psychological one. The process requires specific components and careful installation to ensure the system is both safe and fully functional.
Addressing the Technical Challenges of Chicken Wire
Directly electrifying the entire chicken wire mesh presents significant technical problems that render a standard setup ineffective. Chicken wire has an immense surface area and is often in close contact with the ground, creating a high-resistance path for the current. Connecting a fence charger directly to the mesh would cause a severe short circuit, rapidly draining the system’s power and resulting in little shock value. The mesh structure makes it difficult to insulate, allowing current to constantly leak to the ground.
The proper technique utilizes the chicken wire not as the ‘hot’ conductor, but as a dedicated grounding mechanism. By connecting the existing metal mesh to the charger’s negative terminal, the entire fence becomes a large, reliable ground plane. The actual electrical deterrent comes from separate, insulated hot wires run parallel to the mesh. This configuration ensures a predator must touch both a hot wire and the grounded chicken wire simultaneously to complete the circuit and receive a shock.
Essential Components and Safety Requirements
Selecting the correct equipment begins with the fence charger, which must be a low-impedance model to effectively overcome minor resistance from vegetation or small shorts. For deterring predators like raccoons and foxes, the charger should have an output of at least 4,000 to 5,000 volts to deliver a sufficient shock. It is important to match the charger’s energy output to the total length of the fence line to ensure consistent voltage throughout the perimeter.
Adequate grounding is equally important for the system to function correctly. A minimum of three six-foot or eight-foot galvanized ground rods should be driven completely into the soil, spaced at least ten feet apart. The fence’s hot wires must be mounted using specialized plastic or porcelain insulators. These prevent the high-voltage current from arcing or leaking to the grounded chicken wire or wooden posts. For safety, always choose a UL-listed charger and disconnect the power source completely before performing any installation or maintenance.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
The installation process begins with establishing the dedicated grounding system for the charger. Drive three galvanized ground rods into the earth, preferably in a moist area, connecting them with a continuous run of heavy-gauge insulated ground wire. Next, mount the low-impedance fence charger in a sheltered, dry location, such as inside a shed or mounted on a post, ensuring it remains unplugged from its power source.
The existing chicken wire mesh should then be connected to the charger’s negative (ground) terminal using a lead-out wire and a clamp. This establishes the entire mesh as the ground plane, which is necessary for the circuit to be completed. Once the ground is secured, specialized offset insulators should be attached to the existing fence posts, extending outward from the chicken wire mesh. These insulators must keep the new hot wire fully separated from the grounded mesh.
Run the new single-strand hot wire through the insulators, ensuring it is taut and positioned so a predator cannot easily bypass it. For low-crawling predators, place the first hot wire six to eight inches above the ground, with a second wire placed about twelve inches above the first. Connect the hot wire back to the charger’s positive (red) terminal. Finally, double-check all connections, clear any nearby vegetation, and only then plug in and turn on the fence charger.
Testing, Maintenance, and Local Regulations
After installation, the system’s performance must be verified using a digital fence voltmeter, which provides a numerical reading of the voltage on the hot wire. The voltage should be checked at multiple points, including the end of the line, and should ideally read above 3,000 volts to serve as a reliable predator deterrent. Consistent maintenance is necessary to prevent short circuits and power loss.
Regularly inspect the fence line for vegetation growth, as tall weeds or grass touching the hot wire will draw current and significantly reduce the effective voltage. Ensure all insulators are intact and that the hot wire has not sagged or made contact with the grounded chicken wire mesh. Property owners must research and comply with all local municipal or homeowner association regulations regarding electrified fencing. Most jurisdictions require highly visible warning signs to be posted at regular intervals, often every 60 feet, to alert people to the fence’s presence.