An electric shepherd for sheep is a modern device that allows you to refuse the services of a shepherd. We are talking about a mobile fence, but not a simple one, but an electric one. During grazing, sheep cannot leave its limits, because, approaching it, animals receive weak electric shocks. How safe is such a device, how it works, we will consider the pros and cons of the electric shepherd further.
Electric shepherd for sheep
What is an electric shepherd?
Today, many farmers are looking for convenient and economical ways to herd sheep. Previously, shepherds were used to look after the cattle. They were responsible for the safety of the herd while they were on the pasture. Now this method has not been completely forgotten, many still use the services of a shepherd, but there is an alternative to a human shepherd – this is an electric shepherd.
This fixture consists of:
- wire or twine;
- support posts, the height of which does not exceed one meter;
- battery (battery, generator, solar battery).
Metal or wooden supports are dug into the ground, a fence is attached to them. Most often, it consists of three transverse lines of wire, between which a certain distance is observed. Sometimes the fence is made in the form of a grid.
Manufacturers complete the device with an electrical grid of various sizes, which allows you to fence both a small grazing area and a vast pasture area of ββββseveral hectares. The design is easy to dismantle and move to another place.
Attention! The electric shepherd can be used as a temporary sheep paddock while the sheepfold is being repaired or sanitized.
Operating principle
Sheep are calm and peaceful animals, not distinguished by a rebellious disposition, but they are very shy. When they hear a noise or see a wild animal, they scatter. To prevent this from happening, an electric shepherd is used.
A generator or other device that generates electricity is connected to the fence – a battery, a solar battery. The bottom line is that the entire fence is energized. During walking, sheep cannot leave the pasture for a simple reason: when animals touch the wire, they feel an electrical discharge of low power. Having made several unsuccessful attempts to leave the pasture, the sheep stop approaching the fence.
Sheep on the run
Attention! The electric shepherd for sheep not only prevents the dispersal of farm animals, but also protects them from wild animals, which, approaching the fence, receive an electric shock.
Advantages and disadvantages
According to the farmers who use this device, it is convenient and useful. Consider its advantages:
- Profitability. After acquiring an electric shepherd, there is no need to hire a shepherd to herd sheep. Despite the high cost of equipment, the cost of it pays off quickly – within 2-4 months.
- The electric fence is made of modern corrosion-resistant materials. The equipment does not deteriorate due to temperature changes, exposure to dampness and other external factors.
- The electric shepherd is mobile. At any time, the equipment can be moved to another location if there is a need to change the pasture.
- Security. The fence under voltage reliably protects the livestock from the attack of predators. She does not allow the sheep to leave the pasture, which means that the animals will not scatter, will not get lost, and trouble will not happen to them.
Despite the listed advantages of the equipment, some farmers prefer to act the old fashioned way. They believe that using the electric shepherd is not so convenient due to the need to dismantle and install it.
Another disadvantage of electric fences is the high cost. Buying equipment is not cheap, especially if such a device is made to order, taking into account the needs of the client. But, having spent 1 time to ensure the safety of the sheep, in the future you will no longer have to pay for the work of the shepherds.
Some farmers complain that it is impossible to completely abandon the services of staff serving the flock. The presence of a person is still necessary in order to monitor the well-being of animals and satisfy their needs. Indeed, sheep that graze throughout the day need to be milked, you need to give them water to drink in hot weather. However, there is no need to constantly be present on the pasture.
What to look for
Before buying equipment, you need to decide whether it will be used as a permanent or temporary fence. The first option is applicable when sheep graze throughout the season on one large pasture. The second allows you to move the device to another location from time to time. Temporary electric shepherd is designed for a small area.
Attention! When purchasing equipment, it is worth considering the features of the terrain in which it will be used. It is important to consider how many gates you need.
electric shepherd
Other aspects to focus on:
- The material from which the support posts are made is wood or metal. Wooden poles are cheaper, while metal poles last longer.
- From what battery does the electric shepherd work – from a battery or solar battery, from a network or a generator.
- Is there grounding.
- Does the manufacturer provide warranty service for the product?
Overview of manufacturers and models
It is worth noting that fence equipment can be sold as a ready-made set or separately. That is, you can purchase any poles-supports separately, order the required amount of power grid, and also choose the power source at your discretion. Prices for these items vary by model and manufacturer. We will consider ready-made kits that can be purchased in Russia.
Finnish electric shepherd
Finnish equipment from Olli is now considered the most reliable and leads in the ranking of suppliers of similar products. The cost of hedges from this manufacturer varies between 28000-80000 rubles. This company manufactures ready-made kits. The standard equipment of the electric shepherd includes:
- support poles made of wood;
- a fence consisting of three rows of wire;
- gate (1 pc.);
- battery.
Attention! When choosing a suitable model of the Finnish electric shepherd, it is worth considering the size of the perimeter of the fence. The manufacturer produces hedges from 300 to 3000 meters long.
Russian equipment
In Russia, the Riks-TV company is engaged in the production of electric fences for sheep and other animals. Among the advantages of using Russian equipment are the following:
- the ability to order electric fencing according to individual requests;
- the cost of production is much lower than that of the foreign company.
The domestic electric shepherd has the following standard equipment:
- metal posts;
- galvanized three-row fencing, allowing you to cover an area from 1 to 3 hectares;
- two types of batteries (from the network and from the battery);
- hazard warning label.
Reference. The cost of products of the company “Rix-TV” does not exceed 20000 rubles.
Apparatus electroshepherd
It is worth paying attention to another model from another Russian company, IE-200. This modification is interesting in that it is equipped with two types of batteries – external and built-in. The kit includes a fence that allows you to fence an area for grazing animals up to 300 hectares. The price of such products will exceed 10000 rubles.
New Zealand manufacturer
A product from New Zealand appeared on the Russian market not so long ago. It is produced by Speedrite. Its products have already proven themselves in the world market. Ready-made sets of electric shepherds are also equipped with support poles, fences of various sizes, combined power supplies. This equipment has a function to adjust the frequency of the electrical impulses. The cost of products from this company starts from 22 thousand rubles.
The electric shepherd for sheep allows farmers to simplify the process of grazing animals and reduce livestock maintenance costs. Not everyone has yet appreciated its benefits, but technologies continue to develop, and soon they may replace the old ways of walking animals. An electric fence has clear advantages: it is absolutely safe for the health of sheep, protects them from wild animals and allows you to refuse the services of a shepherd.
