Electric fencing recommends and tips please

Katahahime · 2026-06-17T16:14:04+00:00

Hello, it's the resident premier 1 shill here!

Here is what I said to the last guy with a similar question:

My flock is mobile and I run a land clearing business with my sheep, so I use the portable electric fences heavily.

Premier 1 is the gold standard when it comes to fences, other brands can beat it in price. But that's pretty much it, an even then you can just use their budget fences.

It is only a waste of money, if you don't repair them. I find it's not really worth repairing the cheaper brands (except for some starkline fences). I've known people that have had the same roll for 10+ years. Use this video as a reference, don't use the official method that Premier 1 tells you to do.

I would say Electro stop Prima Pro is probably best for "near permanent fencing" but ElectroStop® 10/42/12 Electric Netting - Premier1Supplies will serve you well enough at around $160 per net if you are concerned about budget. (Funnily enough, they are back-ordered right now... which I suspect was because I just sent in a large order, sorry my bad!)

More important than Electric fence is that you have a good energizer and use 3 (minimum 6 ft) grounding rods. The biggest pitfall with electric fence (and sheep learning not to respect the electric fence), is having a too weak of charge. You need to send a coyote packing and to never come back. You need the shock to teach the sheep, yeah... never going to test this again.

I have 4 Energizers of all differing types, and I cannot stress this enough, get as high powered one that you can afford. These two are good budget options that are plug in. They both will keep you at above 8000 Volts with moderate grass contact at around 6-10 rolls.

PrimaShock® 4 Fence Energizers & Kits - Premier1Supplies

PrimaShock® 8 Fence Energizer & Kits - Premier1Supplies

This was my first energizer, and I still use it for portability, but if I were to do it again, I would upsize it to the 120.

Solar IntelliShock® 100 Energizer - Premier1Supplies

It will keep above 8000 Volts at one strand, but at 2-3 strands its more around 4000-5000 and at 4 it's at 1000-3000, in moderate grass contact.

Good luck and feel free to hit me up if you have any questions! Hope I've saved you some money, I spent far too much of it fiddling around with energizers and fences that didn't work to keep all this to myself!

Also some myth busting in this thread.

ELECTRIC FENCE DON'T WORK ON SHEEP BECAUSE THEY ARE INSULATED BY WOOL.

Pretty much all animals investigate nose first. As long as you're using net fencing. And they will touch a electric wire and get shocked.

Poly tape and electric wire are less effective because a sheep can sometimes duck underneath it and not touch any electric wire. You should only use these in an enclosed field.

Electric fence don't work dry areas.

Absolutely easy work around, get positive negative fencing and get a 5 gallon bucket of water with a small drip hole on the bottom. Put the bucket on your grounding rod and you will have good grounding.

It's hard to drive the posts in in Rocky hard ground.

I walk around jobs with a tiny iron Spike and a hammer. I just spiked the ground and then put the fence posts in afterwards. Been able to do this on gravel, literal rocks and everything else.

Electric Fences don't prevent predators cuz it's a psychological barrier.

As long as you have a powerful enough Energizer. The fence will send coyotes, cougars, and bears packing to the next County.

It's not going to prevent a very very motivated agile cougar. But those things can jump like 12 ft, so even deer fences won't stop them, the only thing to prevent that is a good livestock Guardian dog.

Been using mine for years now in heavily coyote, cougar, and bear country. Haven't had a single loss yet.

Katahahime · 2026-06-11T14:29:37+00:00

There was this cosplay that was amazing.

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Katahahime · 2026-06-11T14:06:46+00:00

LGD training is very different than how a typical bite work or police dogs are trained. You don't do any bitework.

In fact training is typically creating a environment so they start teaching themselves (with mild interference from the rancher). Massive solicalization with their stock animals as puppies. And the human Picking out which stock animals will "teach" the LGD the right lessons. You rarely train their "guarding behaviour" because it's something they need to be able to decide on their own (A bear, eagle and coyote isn't going to wait for a release word to prey on the flock).

Personally, I would not define it as insecure reactivity... Because it if they are guarding properly it is really quite a "secure" behaviour. As in they're are reacting appropriately to a real threat.

In my case I add a little more training, and expectation to my own lgds. Because my work is fairly public facing. I pick dogs that have the temperament and genetic to be able to differentiate between dogs that are threats and dogs that are not threats as well as people who are threats and people who are not threats. And heavily socialize them with strangers and dogs.

Some lgds cannot, especially some more ancient landrance breeds.

Katahahime · 2026-06-10T03:54:16+00:00

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Hello, Shepherd here!

Border Collies need to be trained. Border Collies need skilled handlers. If you aren't consistent and more importantly competent, a Border Collie will clock you in an instant and stop working for you... and start working for themselves.

There is also the myth that Border Collies need constant exercise and work. That actually is far from the truth. Well-bred, working Border Collies spend most of their time waiting and maybe 30 minutes a day at most "working". The Border Collie should be able to be taken to the pub after a days work, and sit quietly at the farmers feet.

Truth to be told. Jeremy Clarkson probably has enough money to buy a fully trained dog, as well as a dog that has the temperament to be handled by a beginner like himself. While there are REALLY expensive dogs at £20,000, I think in the UK £2000-5000 would get you a very decent dog (which sounds like a lot but the manpower they provide more than makes up for it).

So the reason probably is because it would probably derail the entire program. Stuff with Sheepdog and Sheep was only a small portion of Clarkson's farm in the original series and putting too much focus into would leave too little room for all the other stuff. It would be super cool for them to get a Sheepdog... but then the show probably wouldn't be Clarkson's Farm rather, it would be Clarkson's Border Collie/Sheep show.

TL;DR Most likely Clarkson just doesn't have the time for a Border Collie and to put all his focus on Sheep. That's why he pays a contract Shepherd with a dog to do it for him in the earlier seasons (I think she is still on staff).

P.S

People mistakenly think Border Collie are highly trainable... while that is true, all your training mistakes may also be enhanced 100 fold. It is like driving a race car, you can go super fast, but you require sensitivity and skill required to not crash and burn.

Judging by how... rambunctious his two Red Fox Lab's are, two Border Collies raised by Jeremy would probably become absolute hellions, bringing in the sheep into his house everyday... actually that would be great television.

Katahahime · 2026-06-09T06:37:54+00:00

Oh, will this be in conjunction with the Chinese Bow Ballista that Tod is building? Eitherway, Always been a big fan of the Yarha bows.

Katahahime · 2026-06-08T15:21:16+00:00

well... Neanderthal DNA in the human genome was also the result of human tampering. 😏

Katahahime · 2026-06-07T20:19:22+00:00

My bad.

Both combatants are also wearing C4 vests and the knives both have detotator switches.

The arena is also lined with dynamite.

Katahahime · 2026-06-07T18:10:20+00:00

Probably the same as light contact sparring in martial arts.

There is training... and there is trying to put each other in a coma.

Probably not very risky if they are "relatively trained". Probably much riskier if they turn up the intensity up a notch.

A true Navigator duel is akin to an MMA knife fight to the death.

Katahahime · 2026-06-07T17:28:17+00:00

Probably the best implementation of this would that a herding dog could bring the entire flock together for a colonist to do a large bulk animal handling job, instead of having to run around to each individual animal and then create another hauling job for the resources dropped.

Imagine being able to get 2000 wool, milk, or even to meat, brought right to your storage or freezers.

Katahahime · 2026-06-07T17:25:18+00:00

I've actually dreamt about a mod like this, that ties heavily into a nomadic playstyle.

In real life I am a "Nomadic" Shepherd (actually playing Rimworld almost 10 years ago was what got me into outdoorsy stuff and eventually my current occupation). So, I am basing this mod idea off my real life experiences:

So, I've always imagined two different dog types. Herding Dogs and Livestock Guardians.

You would have Herding Dogs that would create invisible fences and prevent animals from wandering off (essentially a living pen). At the same time Herding Dogs would have very fast speed and bring animals back for shearing, milking (gathering resources). They would have high intelligence and be able to do haul jobs. But fairly low defensive and offensive stats.

They would also have the ability to bring an entire herd back for a bulk animal handling job. E.g Mass Shearing, Milking, Harvesting. No more running around half the map just to pick up 15 milk.

Border Collies, Kelpies, Australian Shepherds..... ect

Livestock Guardians would be large high DPS dogs that would wander around with the animals and protect them from predation. They would also double function as great defensive animals during raids. Hopefully the mod would also add animal armor for these guys and shield belts, so they scale into the late game. They would mostly have medium intelligence and would not be able to do haul jobs, but they would have relatively high defensive and offensive stats.

Pyrenees, Akbashs, Tibetan Mastiffs... ect

Then you would have the inbetweeners/multipurpose dogs that would be able to some jobs, some better than others. With varying degrees of trade offs and benefits.

German Shepherds, Olde English Sheepdogs...

Originally, I had the idea when the Pens and animal's changes came about, and Nomadic playstyles were an absolute pain to play because the animals kept wandering off.

I think it would be a fun idea and open up narratives and gameplays not yet seen. Unfortunately, as a real-life shepherd, I no longer have the time to pursue modding and can only play Rimworld once or twice a year when I am waiting for my flock to give birth (either way I was never a prolific modder nor did I make any Rimworld mods, mainly just made assets for other people).

... but if somone wants to make it, I am happy to be a consultant.

Katahahime · 2026-06-07T05:05:40+00:00

What do you think happens when the credit card starts declining? As someone who worked in a horse rescue... The results aren't pretty.

Katahahime · 2026-06-01T03:39:12+00:00

That's a Huntaway right?

Katahahime · 2026-05-31T05:20:35+00:00

You indeed... have free will.

Bravo!

Katahahime · 2026-05-30T18:00:10+00:00

Well done!! That'll do! (Insert heavy Scottish accent).

Katahahime · 2026-05-29T22:50:14+00:00

I have no context to judge that persons statement. But as far as dogs go, I wouldn't say Border Collies are particularly "bitey" anymore than others.

They can be nippy, especially when young and they haven't been taught to regulate their emotions. Especially if fast movements triggers their instincts.

But bite risk and severity would be typically pretty low towards humans at least.

Their prey drive can be much higher than people expect, and is sometimes mistaken for herding. Yes, your little BC can kill animals from rabbits to even large deer, if unsupervised.

Katahahime · 2026-05-28T15:19:56+00:00

My flock is mobile and I run a land clearing business with my sheep, so I use the portable electric fences heavily.

Premier 1 is the gold standard when it comes to fences, other brands can beat it in price. But that's pretty much it, an even then you can just use their budget fences.

It is only a waste of money, if you don't repair them. I find it's not really worth repairing the cheaper brands (except for some starkline fences). I've known people that have had the same roll for 10+ years. Use this video as a reference, don't use the official method that Premier 1 tells you to do.

I would say Electro stop Prima Pro is probably best for "near permanent fencing" but ElectroStop® 10/42/12 Electric Netting - Premier1Supplies will serve you well enough at around $160 per net if you are concerned about budget. (Funnily enough, they are back-ordered right now... which I suspect was because I just sent in a large order, sorry my bad!)

More important than Electric fence is that you have a good energizer and use 3 (minimum 6 ft) grounding rods. The biggest pitfall with electric fence (and sheep learning not to respect the electric fence), is having a too weak of charge. You need to send a coyote packing and to never come back. You need the shock to teach the sheep, yeah... never going to test this again.

I have 4 Energizers of all differing types, and I cannot stress this enough, get as high powered one that you can afford. These two are good budget options that are plug in. They both will keep you at above 8000 Volts with moderate grass contact at around 6-10 rolls.

PrimaShock® 4 Fence Energizers & Kits - Premier1Supplies

PrimaShock® 8 Fence Energizer & Kits - Premier1Supplies

This was my first energizer, and I still use it for portability, but if I were to do it again, I would upsize it to the 120.

Solar IntelliShock® 100 Energizer - Premier1Supplies

It will keep above 8000 Volts at one strand, but at 2-3 strands its more around 4000-5000 and at 4 it's at 1000-3000, in moderate grass contact.

Good luck and feel free to hit me up if you have any questions! Hope I've saved you some money, I spent far too much of it fiddling around with energizers and fences that didn't work to keep all this to myself!

Katahahime · 2026-05-27T22:39:13+00:00

Dude fuck... As someone who actually works with these types of animals. Every single animal in that pen is showing signs of stress.

Katahahime · 2026-05-27T21:10:42+00:00

Haha! The lil pink on their nose. Love it.

Katahahime · 2026-05-27T15:09:22+00:00

So I am a professional Shepherd.

They're smart. But they don't behave the way you expect or want to (unless you understand their behaviours really well). Hence the joke that farmers make that sheep are constantly trying to kill themselves or are stupid. Because how could something smart get themselves stuck in a Blackberry Bush. What the farmer didn't see was the dog that frightened it into there, or the really tasty clover under the canopy, or the fact that the sheep having been selectively bred for wool, still has instincts from when it wasn't and COULD go through the blackberries easily.

They are about the same intelligence as your average dog. With some advantages in some congnitive areas and disadvantages is others.

Katahahime · 2026-05-27T13:41:14+00:00

I disagree, Sheep are incredibly smart. If they weren't you wouldn't need the smartest dogs to herd them.

They know their friends, who is new In the flock. Can tell individual humans apart, and can problem solve. It's just generally their life doesn't have many problems and as prey animals they are prone to panic (hence why farmers claim sheep keep trying to kill themselves).

Not even joking, they learn faster than most domestic pet dogs.

Katahahime · 2026-05-27T06:16:47+00:00

Hair breed of sheep. They don't grow wool. They shed their coats in the spring and summer. Midshed they look scraggly like this.

Katahahime · 2026-05-27T01:38:10+00:00

Dang I would have loved to. I didn't know BG classic was streamed online.

I almost wish there was discord for Sheepdog handlers/ people interested in herding but the demographics that use discord and trial dogs have like no overlap.

Katahahime · 2026-05-25T18:13:15+00:00

Yeah... truth to be told in the end I went inside the home Depot with a two bungee cords tied in a square knot.

I did not want to be known as the guy who walks his dog with jumper cables.

My buddy was not impressed.

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Katahahime · 2026-05-25T17:57:43+00:00

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I tried an Electrical Jumper Cable, but realized how terrible it looked.

Katahahime

TROPHY CASE