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TRAINING LIVESTOCK TO ELECTRIC FENCES
David W. Pratt
U.C.C.E. Farm Advisor
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LIVESTOCK & RANGE REPORT NO. 925 FALL, 1992
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Napa & Solano Counties U.C.C.E.
Livestock/Range Management Program |
Whether building permanent
fences with high tensile steel wire or temporary electric
fences with polywire, an electric fence is not finished
until animals have been trained to respect it. |
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The training area should
be a small paddock. Keeping the area small will
reduce the time it takes animals to learn about
the fence. It will also minimize the time needed
to gather and return the animals that get out during
training and reduce the time required to build and
mend the training fence.
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When you turn stock into
the training area, keep an eye on the animals but
leave them alone to discover the fence on their own.
Stock are curious and will investigate the fence.
As they do, they'll get their first lesson. When first
shocked, animals don't know how to react. Some back
up. Others bolt ahead and may go through the fence.
When stock get out, gather them up and put them back
in. If the training fence was built using polytape
or polywire, you may need to fix the fence.
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When an animal investigates
the fence a second time, it usually does so prepared
to back up. I have never seen an animal challenge
a fence a third time unless forced to do so. If an
animal continues to challenge the fence, cull the
animal. |
Depending on the number
of animals and the size of the paddock, training usually
takes no more than one day. |
Some people put hay or
grain across the fence to give stock some incentive
to cross the fence. This can increase the speed of
training but is usually unnecessary. |
Do not herd animals into
the fence. Stock need an escape route. If crowded
into the fence, animals may have no choice but to
go through the fence. |
Sheep are the most difficult
class of livestock to train. Wool is an effective
insulator, and therefore sheep are best trained just
after shearing. Some producers have trained sheep
by attaching cut out aluminum cans containing a little
molasses to the fence. When sheep come up to lick
the can, they get shocked and learn quickly to respect
the fence. Make sure the cans do not touch ground
wires! |
LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES Every time
I have tried to control cattle or sheep with minimal
electric fences (1 to 3 wires) without first training
the stock, I have had to spend hours gathering stock
and mending fences. When I have taken the time and
effort to train stock, the fences have been effective.
If minimal electric fences are to consistently hold
livestock, training is essential! |
The University of California,
in accordance with applicable Federal and State law
and University policy, does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex,
disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related),
ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation,
or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled
veteran. The University also prohibits sexual harassment.
This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access,
and treatment in University programs and activities.
Inquiries regarding this policy may be addressed to
the Affirmative Action Director, University of California,
Agriculture and Natural Resources, 300 Lakeside Drive,
6th Floor, Oakland, CA. 94612-3560. (510) 987-0097. |
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