How to Choose and Use Electric Fence Netting Effectively

Electric fence netting is a versatile and highly effective solution for farmers, smallholders, and landowners looking to secure livestock and manage grazing areas. Suitable for a wide range of animals, including sheep, poultry, goats, and other small livestock, electric netting provides a portable and flexible fencing option that can be easily installed, moved, and adapted to changing requirements.

To get the best results from your electric fence netting, it is important to ensure it is installed correctly and maintained regularly. Here is an easy to follow guide to get you started!

When Should You Use Electric Fence Netting?

Electric fence netting is ideal for temporary grazing, rotational grazing and creating secure enclosures that can be moved as livestock requirements change. It's particularly popular with sheep keepers, poultry owners and smallholders because it combines physical netting with an electric pulse, helping to discourage animals from pushing through or predators from entering.

How to Choose the Right Electric Fence Netting

Selecting the right electric fence netting will help you create a secure enclosure that's suited to your livestock and grazing system. Before making your choice, consider the type of animals you're containing, the size of the area you need to fence and how often the fencing will be moved.

If you're using electric netting for rotational grazing or temporary paddocks, lightweight netting that's quick to install and relocate can save valuable time. For larger or more challenging sites, choosing netting with sturdy posts and a suitable length will make installation easier and improve stability.

When choosing electric fence netting, consider the following:

• The type of livestock you need to contain
• The size and shape of your grazing area
• Whether the fencing will be permanent or temporary
• Ground conditions, including uneven or soft terrain
• Single or double-spiked posts for improved stability
• A compatible energiser that's powerful enough for the total length of netting

Taking the time to choose the right electric fence netting will make installation easier, improve fence performance and help keep your livestock safe and secure throughout the grazing season.

Choose the Right Netting Configuration

Not all electric fence netting is constructed in the same way. The height, mesh spacing and conductor arrangement all play an important role in keeping different types of livestock safely contained. Choosing netting that's designed for your animals will improve fence performance and reduce the risk of escapes.

Different livestock have different fencing requirements:

• Sheep netting typically features smaller mesh openings near the bottom to help prevent lambs from escaping.
• Poultry netting has a tighter mesh to safely contain chickens, ducks and other birds while helping to deter predators.
• Pig netting is designed with lower electrified strands to discourage animals from rooting underneath the fence.
• Goats are agile and inquisitive, so they often require robust netting combined with a powerful energiser to maintain an effective boundary.

Using netting designed for your livestock will make your fencing system more reliable and help ensure animals remain safely contained throughout the grazing season.

Choose the Right Energiser

Your electric fence netting is only as effective as the energiser powering it. Selecting an energiser that's suitable for the length of your fence and the type of livestock you're containing will help maintain a strong, consistent pulse and reduce the likelihood of animals testing the boundary.

There are several types of energiser available to suit different applications. Mains-powered energisers are ideal for permanent fencing where a reliable power supply is available, while battery and solar-powered models offer greater flexibility for temporary paddocks, rotational grazing and remote locations.

When choosing an energiser, consider:

• The total length of electric fence netting you'll be powering
• The type of livestock you're containing
• Whether you have access to mains electricity or require a portable solution
• Future expansion if you plan to add additional fencing

It's equally important to install the energiser with an effective earth system, as poor grounding can significantly reduce fence performance. Using a fence tester to check voltage regularly will help ensure your netting continues to deliver an effective deterrent throughout the grazing season.

Check Your Earthing System

A reliable earth system is essential for your electric fence netting to work effectively. Even the most powerful energiser will struggle to deliver a consistent pulse if it isn't properly earthed.

To ensure reliable performance:

• Install earth stakes firmly into moist ground where possible.
• Keep earth clamps and connections clean and free from corrosion.
• Check that earth leads remain secure throughout the grazing season.
• Consider installing additional earth stakes if you're using a long length of netting or operating in very dry ground.

A well-installed earth system helps maximise fence voltage, ensuring livestock receive an effective deterrent whenever they come into contact with the netting.

Install Your Electric Fence Netting Correctly

Correct installation is essential to get the best performance from your electric fence netting. Taking the time to set up your fence properly will help maintain a consistent electric pulse, reduce the risk of livestock escaping and make future maintenance much easier.

Start by laying the netting out in a straight line before inserting the posts into the ground. Keep the netting taut as you work, ensuring there are no twists or areas of slack that could reduce its effectiveness. Pay particular attention to the bottom strand, which should sit close to the ground without becoming buried or snagged on vegetation.

For the best results:

• Position posts at the correct spacing to maintain tension throughout the fence.
• Ensure all posts are firmly secured, especially on uneven or soft ground.
• Join multiple lengths of netting using the correct connectors to maintain an uninterrupted electric circuit.
• Minimise gaps around gateways and corners where livestock may be tempted to push through.
• Test the fence with a fence tester before introducing livestock to confirm it is operating correctly.

A well-installed electric fence netting system will provide a reliable boundary that's easier to maintain, helping you keep livestock secure while making rotational grazing and temporary paddock management more efficient.

Use Electric Fence Netting Safely

Electric fence netting is a safe and effective livestock management tool when installed and used correctly. Following a few simple safety precautions will help protect people, animals and your fencing equipment while ensuring the system continues to perform as intended.

Before carrying out any maintenance or repairs, always switch off the energiser and disconnect the power supply. If your fencing runs alongside a public footpath or highway, ensure appropriate electric fence warning signs are clearly displayed to alert members of the public.

For safe operation, remember to:

• Disconnect the energiser before installing, moving or repairing netting.
• Display warning signs where the fence borders public access areas.
• Keep children and anyone unfamiliar with electric fencing away from the energiser and live fence.
• Install energisers in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and protect them from the weather where required.
• Never electrify barbed wire or other unsuitable fencing materials.
• Regularly inspect cables, connectors and netting for signs of damage or wear.

Following these simple safety checks will help you get the best performance from your electric fence netting while keeping both livestock and people safe throughout the grazing season.

Overcoming Challenging Terrain

Installing electric fence netting on uneven ground can be tricky. Here are some tips to overcome this challenge:

• Assess the ground: Carefully examine the terrain to identify any significant changes in elevation.
• Use adjustable posts: This allows you to adapt to the ground's contours.
• Stagger post heights: For varying ground levels, adjust post heights accordingly.
• Employ guy wires: Additional support can stabilise the fence on slopes.
• Maintain tension: Ensure the netting remains taut, even on uneven ground.

Preventing Livestock Breakouts

To keep your livestock securely contained, follow these essential tips:

• Choose the right netting: Select netting suitable for your livestock's size and behaviour.
• Secure installation: Ensure the netting is firmly attached with no gaps or sagging.
• Regular inspections: Check the fence regularly for damage or wear and tear.
• Clear vegetation: Remove any plants that could provide animals with a foothold.
• Maintain a strong energiser: A powerful energiser is crucial for deterring animals.
• Check ground connections: Ensure a good ground connection for optimal performance.

By implementing these measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of livestock escapes.

Maintaining Your Electric Fence

Proper maintenance is essential for the long-term effectiveness of your electric fence:

• Regular inspections: Check the fence for damage, such as tears or broken wires.
• Clear vegetation: Remove any plants growing near the fence.
• Tighten loose wires: Ensure all wires are secure and taut.
• Check ground connections: Verify that the ground connection is clean and effective.
• Test the fence regularly: Use a fence tester to confirm the electric charge.
• Maintain the energiser: Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for battery care or replacement.

By following this maintenance routine, you can ensure your electric fence continues to protect your livestock effectively.

Choosing the right electric fence netting and maintaining it properly will help keep your livestock secure while making grazing management more flexible and efficient. By selecting the correct netting for your animals, installing it carefully and carrying out regular maintenance, you can enjoy reliable performance throughout the grazing season. If you're unsure which electric fence netting or accessories are best suited to your setup, our team is always happy to help.

For further guidance, take a look at our blog on How to Install an Electric Fence Safely and Effectively.