Electric Fencing & Poultry Netting

Set up a new electric boundary or replace the part that has worn out.

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Set up a new electric boundary or replace the part that has worn out. Browse solar and mains energisers, polywire, polytape, insulators, posts, testers and poultry netting. Match the fence material to the animals and the energiser to the complete fence, not just the length of one roll.

What do you need besides an energiser?

An energiser supplies the pulses; the fence still needs a suitable conductor, supports and the earth system specified for that model. A bundle with an energiser and a roll of wire may not include every post, connector, gate handle or earth stake needed for your layout.

PartIts jobBuying decision
EnergiserSupplies controlled pulses.Choose the power source and output for the intended fence and animals.
Polywire or polytapeCarries the pulse around the boundary.Compare visibility, conductor specification and resistance, not roll length alone.
Posts and insulatorsHold the conductor in place and away from unwanted contact.Match post type, spacing and insulators to the selected fence material.
Fence testerChecks the voltage actually reaching the fence.Choose an electric-fence tester rather than guessing from the energiser light.

Polywire, polytape or poultry netting?

Polywire is a compact conductor for a supported fence line. Polytape gives a more visible strip. Both need a layout suitable for the animals; neither creates the same physical mesh as a net.

Poultry netting combines closely spaced strands with supporting posts to form a movable boundary. Look for a clear statement that the net is electrifiable, including which strands are live and how it connects to an energiser. Ordinary chicken wire or plastic mesh is not made electric by attaching any convenient lead.

Our range includes net-only products as well as energiser bundles. Check those separately: a net supplied with posts and pegs can still require its own compatible energiser and earth system.

Why is the kilometre rating not the whole answer?

The headline distance does not describe every real fence. Multiple live lines, conductive netting, poor joints and vegetation contact change the load. A 200 m boundary with several live strands is not the same electrical job as one 200 m wire.

Compare output energy where it is stated, and distinguish output joules from stored energy. Then use the manufacturer’s guidance for the planned conductor, number of nets and conditions. Buying a long roll of wire does not prove the bundled energiser will power every possible layout using that roll.

Solar units need a suitable panel position and battery arrangement. Mains units need the correct supply and installation conditions. For either, the earth system is part of the design, especially where soil dries out.

Will the fence be easy to move and maintain?

For a movable poultry area, allow a practical entry point and enough posts to support the net without sagging. Keep live conductors clear of vegetation and test the fence after moving it. Use the manufacturer’s strand diagram: the bottom strand is not wired the same way on every net.

An electric fence is an animal-management system, not a substitute for a suitable hen house. Chickens still need secure night shelter; see chicken coops and runs. Use a purpose-built energiser and its instructions. Never connect fence wire directly to mains electricity.

Useful answers

Electric Fencing & Poultry Netting: your questions

Does poultry netting come with an energiser?

Only if the package explicitly includes one. A net kit may contain the mesh, posts, pegs and gate fittings but no power unit. Match an appropriate energiser and earth system to the net manufacturer’s requirements.

Can ordinary chicken wire be connected to an electric fence energiser?

Do not treat ordinary chicken wire as electrifiable netting. Purpose-made electric netting has a specified conductor arrangement and connection method. Use the manufacturer’s intended system; never electrify barbed wire.

Is a longer advertised energiser range always better?

Not by itself. The conductor, number of live lines or nets, vegetation and earthing all affect the installation. Use the model’s guidance and stated output for your layout rather than comparing kilometre labels alone.

Will an electric poultry fence stop every chicken flying out?

No. Height, nearby launch points and the birds’ behaviour still matter. Netting is not a roof. If flight is a persistent problem, consider an appropriately covered run rather than assuming a stronger energiser will solve it.