
We trust our fences to keep energetic (and large) dogs out
of the chicken yard.
One net for multiple species? PoultryNet works well for
controlling multiple types of livestock.
www.premier1supplies.com• 1-800-282-6631 POULTRY FENCES 29
Warning:
In 1991 a fatality occurred when a 2-year-old child’s head contacted an electrified fence while he was crawling on wet grass. The fence was
correctly installed. The energizer was a UL approved unit. That is why Premier strongly tells users to keep young children away from all electrified fences. Due
to this incident and others like it, experts worldwide now suggest that
human contact by an energized wire to the head and neck is the most dangerous point of
contact.
Having said that, known human fatalities from electric fences (all types) are less than one per year worldwide.
Which is the best height?
While both heights stop most
poultry, the 48" net is more secure
against coyotes and dogs.
With that said, the shorter 42" net
is lighter and easier to handle when
installing and removing (better
portability). It’s also less expensive.
What’s the best energizer?
Wide-impedance energizers
(such
as those described on p. 79)
are less
common but often better choices for
poultry netting than energizers for
horses and cattle.
Why? Because poultry, due to the
nature of their legs and minimal body
weight, have much higher total body
resistance to electricity than a cow,
horse, pig or dog.
And the fence, due to its low-to-the-
ground nature, is prone to high weed
contact—low output units disappoint.
We recommend using not less than
a 0.5 joule unit or larger for 2 to 4 rolls
of PoultryNet (more is better). The
0.25 joule units will work for a roll of
netting
but only if grass contact is
kept to an absolute minimum
.
What about grass contact?
It’s poultry netting’s biggest negative.
Too much green grass or weed contact
lowers the voltage of the fence. So:
1. When grass gets 6" high, turn off
the energizer. Mow carefully along
the fence
. (If you mow into the fence
your wallet, the mower and the net
will all regret it
!) Move the net into
the mowed strip by removing and
reinstalling one post at a time.
Turn on the energizer. Takes 5
minutes per net.
2. Or spray herbicide in a narrow
strip under the fence
(see p. 13)
.
Expect the weeds to return in time.
We prefer burn-down chemicals
that don’t kill perennial grasses
or legumes.
3. Or buy an energizer large enough
to cope with extra weed contact.
Common issues
If net is not properly tensioned or
there is a rise in the terrain between
posts, the bottom part of the net
will compress together. This is not a
concern unless the lowest electrified
strand touches the soil.
If this occurs (and it does), add a
FiberTuff post at the problem areas.
Not just for the birds…
Many users have found that
PoultryNet and PermaNet
12/48/3 work for more species
than poultry.
Those raising goats/sheep
have found that small spacings
are excellent for stopping
kids/lambs.
Folks who run farrowing
enterprises prefer small
spacings for piglets (even
though conductors close to the
ground are quickly grounded
by rooting snouts).
And the 48" version works
for keeping animals away
from gardens and plantings—
including deer, woodchucks
and poultry.
PoultryNet preventing grazing ewes
from “finding” the ducklings’ feed.