Single line of electric fence

[bcnewe2]

Properly installed electric fence won't hurt someone in a lasting way. But hopefully it would convince yousters to not go over reg. Fencing. I'd certainly try it. Cutting it would give a shock to the cutter too, but again, properly installed should not "leave a mark".

 

[AshleyFishy]

Properly installed electric fence won't hurt someone in a lasting way. But hopefully it would convince yousters to not go over reg. Fencing. I'd certainly try it. Cutting it would give a shock to the cutter too, but again, properly installed should not "leave a mark".

Cutting it with coated handled cutters does not shock the cutter.

 

[goatboy1973]

Our Farm Bureau told us to put "No Trespassing" signs up every 50 ft. to make it visible that way legally you have a leg to stand on. The signs alone may deter trespassers. By putting up the signs, your intent is known and there is no question that they knew they were trespassing. I would file a police report with the local law enforcement agency that way there is a record of the trespassing. There is no better practice than to walk your fences daily and check for problems. By the way, you can just end your electric fence strand at the last insulator. Good luck!

 

[peterpuck]

I used to have a neighbor that had a large "medicinal" Marajuana crop. I had a problem with people using one of my pastures as a short cut to help themselves to his pot plants. They would cut my fence to go through. So I charged the electric fence and they would still cut that. Finally I moved the sheep into that pasture along with George and Gracie, my two GP dogs. I never had a problem after that.

 

[goatboy1973]

It is unfortunate that trespassers have caused you to alter your way of goat farming. Search out a legal path and consult your local Farm Bureau or University Ag Extension office and get their advice.

 

[kateseidel]

Shock - make sure you post it as electric every 8-10 feet or so. The only issues we ever encountered was nice people trying to feed the horses and shocking the crap out of themselves reaching across. We originally used 5 strand wire, with just the top wire hot. We now have 4' of mesh fence with a hot wire 6 inches above the mesh. I guess someone could cut the wire, but the average partier is not going to do that. And if they are carrier wire cutters with them, nothing will keep them out! But I do prefer the wire to the tape because it is more daunting to cut. Make sure that your line of hot wire is close enough so they cannot come in between the wire and fence.

As far as the technical installation, I am forced to admit that I leave the electric stuff to my husband (you know, since as far as I can tell, it is basically magic). And also, ashleyfishy drew a great picture! Note that if you have to cross any gated areas, you will want to run it underground and up the other side to continue your circuit, or maybe you don't have a gate you are worried about and just running it on the perimeter line.

 

[secuono]

If you get a solar energizer, one wire goes to the red connector and on the fence. The other goes to the black and down to a 3-8ft metal stake in the ground to ground it. Even the chargers that plug into your house have the same red/black system, usually. It's very straight forward.
The stuff you keep finding is a system where the animal must touch 2 wires, both the hot and ground wire. No wire is placed into the ground, the animal itself completes the link. These don't work on people and they don't work on small predators.

I would add signs and the hot wire. Setting up a game camera and then charging them with trespassing is another way to go.

 

[goatboy1973]

I don't see why you would have to check with the local DA. You could simply post a few no trespassing signs and a few warning signs relating to the electric fence and if the kids are stupid enough to try to challenge the fence and get the snot shocked out of them, then lesson learned. As far as any legal stuff goes you had the "no trespassing" and signs warning of the electric fence for your animals and the kids broke the law. If they get hurt, yes the parents can sue, but no judge in the land would side with the kids. Bottom line, your signage is your biggest defense. Check with your local farm bureau or Ag. Extension office for how many signs and how far they must be apart etc... In our area, the signs must be posted every 50 ft. Along all our fences (perimeter). Good luck! P.S. File a police report so that something is on file with them in case there is any animals killed, missing, or vandalism, you will have established a history of such.