What is Mr. McGregor's Fence®?
How does Mr. McGregor's Fence work?
Can I make a fence like this independently?
Why does Mr. McGregor's Fence come in kits?
Is the fence hard to install?
How long does it take to install the 100ft kit?
What animals will the fence control?
Won't woodchucks/groundhogs burrow under it?
Should I use the AC, solar or the battery powered kit?
Won't squirrels jump over it?
I only have squirrel problems, can I just get the Squirrel Barrier Kit?
If one side of my garden abuts a wall, does the electric part of the fence
have to come full circle in order to complete a circuit?
If I add on one of your fence extenders, will it overburden the electric fence
controller?
Are your electric fence energizers safe and effective?
What is Mr. McGregor's Fence®?
Mr. McGregor's Fence® is an affordable and highly effective tool for keeping woodchucks and other small animals out of vegetable gardens. In contrast to all other available methods, it prevents animal damage before it starts and ensures that no future damage will occur. It's also ecologically sound, because instead of trying to remove or destroy an endless procession of woodchucks, rabbits, or other interlopers, it merely persuades those in the immediate vicinity to cut the garden out of their itinerary. This fence is also convenient, because it has no buried parts and is so low, only 18 inches tall, that it needs no gate. To bring in something heavy like a rototiller the gardener goes to the place where the fence parts come full circle, unhooks the connections, opens a six or seven foot long section and closes it up when they’re done.
How does Mr. McGregor's Fence work?
Our fence is very simple. In concept it's not a barrier fence at all but rather an electric fence. Remember the little pet-safe, child-safe fence charger systems sold to contain dogs in backyard enclosures before the invisible dog fences came along? Our fence is like that. But if you try to keep woodchucks out of vegetable gardens that way, using one or two charged wires, it won't work-because the woodchuck is pretty well insulated by its fur; and so, if it doesn't hit the wire with its nose or paw, it's likely to trundle right on through, get no zap at all, and go right into your garden. However, if you put a low barrier fence a few inches behind the charged wire, then the woodchuck or other small interloper will come into contact with the electric wire when it tries to go over the high wire or under the low wire. It will get zapped and it will go away. That's what Mr. McGregor's Fence® does, and it works 100 per cent effectively every time.
Can I make a fence like this independently?
Yes you could. But by the time you'd researched, located and acquired all the components necessary from various sources you'd find the expense considerably higher than buying a comparable kit from us. And that's because we have only needed to do these things once for many customers. So we have done the research thoroughly, chosen our supplies carefully, explained how they go together clearly, and bought and packaged everything in large enough volumes to pass along substantial savings.
Why does Mr. McGregor's Fence come in kits?
We work hard to make sure our fences are really affordable. To promote this affordability and get around pricey installation charges, we package our fences as 100-foot and 50-foot basic kits for small gardens and 50-foot extender kits able to extend the basic kit to get around any garden.
Is the fence hard to install?
The fence is really easy to install-all you have to do is roll out the weed barrier, put up an 18-inch barrier fence, hang an aluminum wire from another set of posts, and connect the electric fence charger to the aluminum wire. We provide clear and illustrated instructions to ensure that someone unfamiliar with fence systems will have no difficulty installing the kits.
How long does it take to install the 100ft kit?
With the help of a friend it should take no more than 2-3 hours to install the complete system.
What animals will the fence control?
Besides woodchucks and groundhogs, Mr. McGregor's Fence® banishes raccoons, skunks, opossums, adult rabbits, cats, and most dogs from protected gardens. By using a very inexpensive supplement (our "squirrel barrier kit") that reduces the mesh size on the bottom 9 inches of the barrier fence, it can also keep out small (immature) rabbits, squirrels,
and chipmunks
Won't woodchucks/groundhogs burrow under it?
People frequently ask why woodchucks (also known as groundhogs) don't try to burrow under the barrier. If they tried, their backs would probably connect with the lower charged wire. But in fact, many years of experience with this system have shown that they don't try. Woodchucks are notably wary creatures, so perhaps they explore the barrier before making themselves vulnerable by climbing or burrowing and so discover the charged wire that way; or perhaps the barrier is so low that they invariably try to climb it and so connect with the electric wire that way. In any case, they do connect with the wire and they do go away.
Should I use the AC, solar or the battery powered kit?
There is no difference in effectiveness among our kits. The AC powered energizer is most economical if your garden is less than 50 ft. from the nearest electrical outlet. This kit comes with a 50 ft insulated underground cable that runs from the energizer (plugged into the nearest outlet) to the fence. If you plan to install the fence more than 50 ft from an outlet we recommend using the battery or solar powered kits. The reason is simply economics and convenience. The cost of a longer (over 50 ft) connecting cable adds to the overall expense plus can be a nuisance if it crosses your yard, walkways, etc. Use of an extension cord to connect the energizer to an outlet is not recommended.
Won't squirrels jump over it?
Although they could easily jump over the fence they don't do it. Ever.
I only have squirrel problems, can I just get the Squirrel Barrier Kit?
No, the squirrel barrier kit is attached to the lower part of the barrier fence with
twist ties and cannot stand on its own.
If one side of my garden abuts a wall, does the electric part of the fence
have to come full circle in order to complete a circuit?
No, it doesn't. You do have to be sure that all the active wires are connected together
and that the controller is connected to them at some point. But the wires work fine whether or not these wires go full circle.
If I add on one of your fence extenders, will it overburden the electric fence
controller?
There's almost no chance of that, because all the energizers we use can handle
up to half a mile of system without difficulty.
Are your electric fence energizers safe and effective?
Yes, besides being child and pet-safe they are effective. That's because they
don't have to stun an enraged bull. All they have to do is administer a little zap-
something a bit stronger than the zap you can deliver to a friend on a dry day after
shuffling your feet along a carpet.
