Market Farming

["Andy Lee & Pat Foreman" <goodearth AT rockbridge.net>]

> escape.  The amount of damage an escapee flock can do on a bed of chard is
> disheartening, which is why I only use poultry netting on the broilers now.
> I've heard that it is used successfully with layers from others, I haven't
> really quizzed to find out exactly how.
> You say you keep your charger at 7000.  Being someone who does thing by feel
> so to speak, how do you measure that?  A voltage regulator?  I'm not sure I
> understand.  The charger I have just sets out a certain amount, can you
> change the amount going out, or is it like I've done, by just shortening the
> fence?  Do you have a specific charger you use?

The charger will put out a steady pulse, but the fence may be sagging
somewhere and grounding out. Depending on the amount of current lost to the
grounding out is whether you have enough charge to keep them in. I keep a
little 5 bulb tester in the tool box of my tractor to test things from time
to time.

But, when I'm in a hurry and away from the tractor I use the touch test. I
wear leather boots with synthetic soles so even a full charge from the fence
doesn't hurt all that bad. However, if you put your knee on the ground, then
touch the fence, you will get an idea of how powerful it really is. And, if
you weigh 200 pounds like I do, and it hurts that much, then you can almost
feel sorry for a five pound hen who gets shocked.

Yes, the trick is to start the hens or broilers or turkeys at the earliest
possible age, and clip one wing while they are still in the brooder, before
they even learn they can fly.

Thanks,

Andy Lee