If you have a farm with sheep, the installation of an electric sheep fence is a must. The cost of installing this type of fence can be high if you are using professional contractors, but it can also be done cheaply by yourself. Here are some easy steps to install an electric sheep fence that will keep your animals safe and sound!
1. Draw a plan of the Fence
First things first: draw up a map or diagram for where everything should go in order to ensure optimal results when all is said and done. You’ll want to start out with one mainline coming off from your power source through at least three energizer towers spaced evenly apart throughout the length of the enclosure so as not to create an unnatural, asymmetrical geometric shape.
If you have a large area, it is best to make several plans that can be put together as one whole map for your fence line. This way all parts will connect and you won’t need to worry about missing pieces or extra wire from another place running along with yours!
2. Fence height
Determine the necessary height of the corral to keep your animals in. Remember that you want to avoid trees, posts, or other obstacles that the wire can snag on and be pulled down by a potential jump, so having it at least four feet off of the ground will help prevent this.
The height of electric fencing is very important because if too close to the ground, small critters like gophers could get under it while larger ones such as deer might just walk right over it! On top of that don’t forget about all sorts of things falling onto the fence line (twigs/branches in high winds for example) which will also create short circuits.
3. Install the fence posts
Install the fence posts about ten feet apart around your perimeter. You can use either metal or wood fencing posts but make sure to not attach them yet!
If you are installing wooden posts make sure to use gas powered post drivers. It will attach the fence easily and quickly without requiring too much strength from your end!
The installation of electric sheep fencing is very easy, but it can be challenging if done incorrectly or in poor weather conditions.
Now that you have all of the wire-strung, it’s time to install the actual electric fence posts. These are installed at set intervals (about every ten feet) on top of any gravel or rocks that may be present underground so as to allow for some flexibility within your circuit path should things come into contact with the electric wires. Use a good quality t-post insulator and then screw in each one securely before attaching each strand of wire onto it by clipping/twisting down their ends together using pliers.
4. Tension the wires of the fence
This is a crucial step that many people often fail to do or put insufficient effort into doing correctly. You need to make sure that each strand of wire has some tension on it and isn’t drooping all over your grass from sagging between posts. This keeps any animals from gaining access through the fence by going underneath it because they will get shocked if they try to touch both wires at once while passing under it with their heads down near the ground (this happens frequently when you have an electric fence for livestock).
5. Install electrical equipment
To install your electric fence, it is important to have all the necessary components. This includes an energizer (also known as a power unit), fencing wire, insulators, and posts. It’s also handy to keep in mind that not every piece of equipment requires batteries or electricity so some items you will need are: hammer, pliers, and a staple gun.