What type of wire/ribbon etc do you like to use for electric fence (adding to top of existing wood fence)

[Mukluk]

My fence used to be hot but then I had problems with my fence charger.

I had left the wire up but had not gotten the fence charger working correctly. What was on there was plain wire but the problem is that since it is invisible, it is difficult to tell when two attached ends separate (since fence was not hot- goats were messing with it- as soon as I figured that out, I removed the wire for goat safety). I had something like this

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/red-brand-galvanized-electric-fence-wire-14-gauge-2640-ft?rfk=1

Obviously I need to get my fence charger rigged up to work consistently. I guess if it’s hot animals shouldn’t mess with it. However, wondering if I should go with something like this so I tell at a glance if there are any problems

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr…m_vc=-10005Any advice?

I suppose I could just get all new galvanized wire and make it just be one piece all the way around (except for gates).

Thanks in advance.

[jawa]

I used the white poly rope that is thin like the wire you posted as the top strand on my board fencing. There is a yellow and black option in the same style poly rope. I wanted to be able to see, fix and stretch the electric by myself, but the yellow and black was a little too obtrusive for me. I can see the white, but it’s not ugly looking.

[Bluey]

That 1" polytape didn’t last any time for us in our windy country, it tore up easily and we had it stretched it properly.

They have all kinds of electric plastic cord with little wires braided into it that may work better than that thin tape does.

Edited to add, the google ads very nicely offered just now an ad for that poly wire electric plastic fence:

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr…SAFEgKNUvD_BwE

Guess that those questionable programs that are cyberlistening to what we post some times pay off.

[B_and_B]

Light weight poly rope is best for going above or next to an existing fence. Although a simple hot wire would work the best for installation, it has the visibility issue.
I’ve got some rope from Tractor Supply and some from Farmtek. I prefer the latter, because even though it is nine strands of wire within the rope, it is lighter in weight so it doesn’t sag over a long run. Either white, or black and white if you have snow.
I also use tape, but the wind issue and the sag issue means that I would stay away from it if you already have an existing fence. Extreme sagging due to the wind might cause it to short out on the wood fence. The tape I use is either 2 or 2.5 inches, and I always go for the good stuff (Farmtek, Kencove, Horseguard), the extra cost is balanced by being able to get years out of the tape. Generally the tape is on my perimeter fence and the rope is the cross fencing.

[B_and_B]

I should add, having looked at the ad in your first post. I wouldn’t use the 1 inch tape. It doesn’t last, as Bluey noted.

[Mukluk]

So sounds like I should go with the bumble bee colored stuff. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr…SAFEgKNUvD_BwE
I actually have quite a bit of it around and could get that stringed up with little difficulty. My mare is going to be very upset when she is no longer able to crib on the fence. Ha, ha say I.

[horsepoor]

I’ve used something similar to the bumble bee stuff you posted, but in white. I like it as it does the job and is very easy to put up, but it doesn’t last. At least here it tends to come apart, I think maybe due to sun exposure, and I have to replace it every so often. But that is super easy to do so it doesn’t bother me.

[NancyM]

Use wire, steel or aluminum, not one of the blended options. The metal wire will conduct the charge through any bush growing up through it, and through just about anything that will short out the other options. Since you have a wooden fence there already, all you need is the electricity, not the visibility. If you did not have the solid wood fence, then a tape gives you the visibility you need. Tape and cord which runs the current through very thin wires that run through the plastic/nylon fibers tend to stop conducting electricity with use, the tiny wires break.

In areas where I have no visible fence, and need to use electric fence to contain livestock, I often run both a tape, AND a wire, together through the same insulators. That way, when the tape has issues with conductivity, the solid wire that runs with it will still carry the charge, and will even re charge the tape as well. You lose some charge with resistance, but it works better than just running tape.

The solid electric wire breaks easily, if it needs to (if an animal gets tangled in it). It can break easier than one of the tape or rope options. That nylon stuff does not break, can do serious damage to an animal.

[DMK]

I use the bumble bee stuff as a top wire on my fences and I like it better than wire, easier to string. Unfortunately branches and trees usually pop my wire before the sun does. I’ve found the polywire is easier to repair and looks neater/tighter than repair/re-repaired regular wire. Honestly most of the time a good chunk of the fencing is not “on” but it doesn’t really matter anymore. It was on once. <BEG> (I have a light cribber, old fencing as well as a common fence line between me and a neighbor, so I’m really just trying to maximize the fencing lifespan!)

I use the good white tape to fence off part of one of the pastures and it’s lasted a few years, but it they do not touch it at all and I suspect they wouldn’t touch it if it was laying on the ground so I am not using it for durability in the strictest sense!

[Mukluk]

Thanks for your input- very helpful. Any additional feedback is certainly welcome.

[et_fig]

I use polybraid. It’s easy to see, conducts well, and it’s very easy to work with.