[Prod]

I presently let my birds free range over a small field then at night I enclose them in an electric fenced area that forms a rectangle.  I want to move the coop etc to another part of the field but I only need the electric fence to run in virtually a straight line.  Will it still work  or do I have to form a 'loop'   Sorry about the dumb question......

[ehs284]

Not dumb at all; sensible question. The answer is that it will work. The energiser has two terminals; one to the horizontal wires and one to a spike into the ground. The energiser makes the wires have a high voltage relative to the terminal connected to earth. It does this for very short periods (it pulses). There is no connection to earth for the electricity.
If an animal touches the wires then the pulse travels through them( giving them a shock) to the ground and through the earth to the grounded terminal of the energiser
The shape of the fence doesn't matter. It just needs proper connections, a good earth spike and no accidental earthing (such as weeds). If the fence is across a field then you'll need to find a way of fastening the ends without making a connection to earth via a wall or bush. HTH

[Prod]

Thanks  that helps  a great deal !!!