Re: [RC] Solar Panel 'Electric fencing' - Sisu West Ranch
"...there
such thing as an elephant proof unit ? ..."
I read an account about problems in keeping African
elephants out of a farm one time. A rather impressive multi wire electric
fence was constructed. It was hooked to the strongest electric fencer
made. It worked fine until a calf got tangled up in it. The calf
cried for help. The rest of the herd wasted no time in ripping the fence
down, even in the face of the jolts.
In MN similar problems happen with bears and bee
hives. Bears like honey. If the fence is put up before the bear find
the hives, and keeps them 50 feet (15 meters) away, all is fine. If a bear
finds the hives, they will knock the fence down even when getting a good
electric shock.
My bottom line is that an electric fence is mostly
psychological. It works best on stable herds who have learned all about
it. The fence also has to be constantly maintained (a problem where
vegetation can grow quickly) so the animals don't learn that sometimes it is off
and thus test it. I have a horse who when bored will bring his nose up to
the fence until he first feels the electricity, then jerk back, repeating until
the grain arrives.
When planning a new installation consider Horseguard
fencing ( www.horseguard.com
) this stuff is quite superior to the tape systems commonly available in N.
American farm stores. By the way the actual product is made in France, so
I assume that someone else distributes to the rest of the world.
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
