Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Some goat keepers swear by electric fencing, but goats occasionally can escape through it. It
is better used to reinforce a wire or wooden fence, or for interior partitions within a larger en-
closure or pasture. Electric wire of various types and sizes is available at farm stores, as well
as electrified string net, polywire, polytape, and rope fences. These fences are easy to move
and rearrange and are ideal for temporary fencing, such as when you are moving your goats
around different areas of a pasture. They are designed to work with step-in fence posts, made
of metal, plastic, or fiberglass that can be inserted into the ground using your body weight.
Electric fence chargers cost between $60 and $300, depending on the length and sophistica-
Fencers/FencerMain.htm
)
sell solar-powered electric fence chargers that are convenient for
remote locations.
Goats can be trained to fear an electric fence by luring them toward it with grain until they ex-
perience the electric shock.
Barbed wire
Barbed wire can be used to goat-proof existing farm fences, but it is not recommended for
dairy goats because it can injure their coats and udders. To contain goats, a barbed wire fence
should be built of eight to ten strands of tight, evenly spaced 15-gauge wire.
Livestock panels
Livestock panels made of welded steel rods are excellent for temporary enclosures such as
paddocks and pens, but as with wooden panels, they are usually too expensive for fencing.
They are easy to install and move around. Sharp edges and snipped wires should be smoothed
with a file to avoid torn clothes and injury to your goats. Sheep stock panels have smaller
spaces between the welded wires so small animals will not get their heads caught, but these
are even more expensive.
