Goat Fencing

Right Goat Fencing?

What is the right goat fencing? I think that is the age old question and one that must tailored to your land and capabilities.

For SeeWolf Farms, we bought a piece of land that was heavily wooded. The previous owner had already contracted with a logging company to clear 'some' of the trees to allow the property to be less of a jungle. The logging company hadn't started yet when we bought the property and we told them to clear the parameter (20' or so) of trees for the fencing. We thought this was a good idea... our mistake was we told them to only clear about 50% of the trees inside the parameter... this is where 'planning comes in'.

We were new to farming and knew we needed a parameter fence, we didn't think about how we were going to arrange the paddocks, where the barn was going etc. Those were decisions that we were to make in 3-5 years. Problem is once you start this journey you get so excited that the timeline moves to the left REALLY fast. Our 5 year plan (getting the house built) was accomplished in 3 years. First animals hit the lot in less than 12 months, which meant we need inside fences and a barn. Decisions had to be made quickly.

We knew we wanted Goats and would later have Sheep, so we chose a Goat and Sheep (4"x4") hinged fence and pressure treated posts. Parameter fence posts were 8' long, due to the sandy soil in Florida. Overkill, maybe, but very secure should animals try to push it over. The 4x4 opening were chosen to minimize the goats heads from getting stuck (horns are notorious for easily slipping through the holes but NOT getting back out).

Fencing options Pros/Cons (opinion only)

The table below identifies the key items that we cared about. We already had the tractor and compared prices on having someone install the fence or doing it ourselves. We did it ourself, so bit the bullet and bought the auger.

Fencing Type	Cost	Pros	Cons	Specialized Eqmt
Field	$	Easy to find. Commonly used for larger livestock (cattle, etc.)	Smaller horned animals will most likely get their head stuck at some point. Causing stress on owner and animal.	Auger is required or a means to drive in the post, or if you are really healthy a post hole digger. Fence puller Tractor
Sheep & Goat (4"x4")	$$	Low probability of adult horned animals getting stuck.	Miniature horned goat/ sheep and newborns may get 'stuck', so diligence is still required.	Auger is required or a means to drive in the post, or if you are really healthy a post hole digger. Fence puller Tractor
No Climb (2"x4")	$$$	Very low probability of animals getting 'stuck'	More expensive.	Auger is required or a means to drive in the post, or if you are really healthy a post hole digger. Fence puller Tractor
Welded wire	$	Common to find in most hardware/feed stores	High likelihood of replacing sections due to trees/limbs
Hinged wire	$$	Easier to repair if tree/limb falls across	May be harder to find
Electric Netting	$	Semi permanent and can be moved as required for rotational grazing	Requires more attention to maintain and ensure voltage is appropriate to retain flock/herd.	No

Olivia looking at the goats through our hinged wire

Internal fencing, in my opinion, you can use either electric netting or traditional wire. However, you need to look at your situation.

• Do you have animals that may hurt your livestock? My dogs are still getting used to them and sometimes freak out - so having the wire between them and the goats helps a lot.

• How are you going to keep the males away from the females (until you are ready to breed)? OR are you going to keep them together?

• How are you going to keep the young female ewes / does away from the males?

• How are you doing your shelters? Goats definitely need to get out of the rain and cold, so something that blocks the wind. Sheep: if they have adequate shrubbery can hide anywhere, but would prefer shelter too (or so the sheep tell me). Don't laugh, I'm pretty sure you talk to your animals like they are human, too.

In general, whatever fencing you chose,

make sure it is taunt and they can't push it over. Both sheep and goats are escape artist, in my experience as long as they like what is on YOUR side of the fence, they will stay on your side - so keep it interesting and have neat things for them to climb on!