One of my favourite "take-aways" from a recent Electric Fencing conference in Montana was this caption - "Do not let your chickens kill a Bear" and I thought that the very same sentiment could be written as "Don't let your chickens kill a Fox" This premise works on the assumption that foxes are being legally shot and killed due to the attention they pay to an easy meal of chicken free-ranging on a rural plot..

A good electric poultry net is the best non lethal method keep foxes away from poultry. Unlike other deterrents, (such as peeing round the coop, or banging pots and pans in your pyjamas at 3 in the morning), electric fencing is a “passive” deterrent, in that it is always working – whether you’re around or not. These fences provide an electrical shock when an animal comes into contact with the charged wires of the fence. Design, construction, maintenance and inspection will determine the effectiveness of an electric fence.

Safety always is a concern, and today’s electric-fence energisers have been shown to be safe for children, pets and vegetation. Touching an electric fence still remains unpleasant, but one walks away uninjured, unlikely to repeat the experience.

Although it may sound complicated and expensive, electric fencing can be a relatively simple, cost-effective and long-term solution for protecting bear attractants that cannot be easily removed or otherwise contained. Temporary or permanent designs can be adapted to a variety of situations. Electric fencing for an average-sized chicken coop should run between £150 and £400. There are Poultry Netting kits available that make it easier for a prospective customer to make his selection.