Electric Fence - Goats

[Jlblake]

Hello everyone!

I have 50+ Boer/Kiko goats that I keep fairly well contained on my property. Some of my fencing has 12" openings and a couple of the goats have learned to escape. I have a couple that seem to constantly get their horns stuck too. I've been lucky to get them all out so far...with the help of great neighbors. I'm not at the property daily so my thought is to add a strand of electric fence inside the current fence. I haven't found conclusive information to tell me how high to put the wire. Do any of you have experience with this?

On another note, I bought the 2 mile solar charger for it and I'll run the wire about 3/4 of a mile around the perimeter. I'm now reading that the joule level should be much higher than the 0.04 the tractor supply unit produces. Any recommendations for what would be the best approach to the charger? I could run electricity but the solar is much simpler.

Thank you!

 

[hosspuller]

What ever your choice of fencer, chose the highest joule rating AND install a ground system of at least 3 connected ground rods. Grounding is the most frequent long term issue with poor performing electric fence (besides shorts) Take the advertised mileage rating with a grain of salt. The shock is reduced with fence length, insulator condition, weed pressure, conductor type, number of wires and configuration(loop circuit is better than a straight run).

Remember the deterrence of an electric fence is mental. Each animal needs to remember the awful pain it got touching the wire and avoid it. It's a dirty trick but, I teach my horses to avoid the wire by holding a treat close to it. The spark that jumps to the nose usually sends them backwards at warp speed.

I don't know about goats, but the animal is trying to get to something beyond the fence. Place the wire there... low to block nibbling at the grass or higher to prevent escape.

 

[Jlblake]

Thank you! Do you have any recommendations for a solar charger? Where to buy it or what size?

 

[ponytug]

I recommend chargers, fencing, and supplies from Premier 1 Fencing supplies. They have lots of great advice on the website.

I would second @hosspuller that the length recommendations are under some "ideal" condition. As soil dries out, or young weeds grow on the fence, or heavy rain, you will need more joules. I have gone for 10x distance of what we have, and we probably lose 2kV from the charger to the end of the fence, and that is using Gallagher wire rope, with copper and stainless wire in it. We have multiple ground posts. After fourteen years, we still have to tighten the rope occasionally, and have begun to renew the insulators that are disintegrating due to age (intense sun, ozone). As the insulators and rope only came with a projected five year lifespan, we are happy.

We have run Gallagher B-100 solar chargers for fourteen years, and are on our second, with one repair each done by Fence Fixer, (fencerfixer816@gmail.com).

We run one electric rope at nose level to keep calves inside. I have no idea if it is good enough for goats, but it might be cheap enough to try. I have never thought that my existing fences were anywhere near good enough for goats, so I have zero experience. If you are adding fencing inside, you might want to consider goat netting.

All the best,

Peter

 

[RUSTBUCKET BRONCO]

Power Wizard AC-Powered Energizer

Power Wizard AC-Powered Energizer - Mains Energizers - Electric Fence Energizers

kencove.com

This is what I have. The remote is great when your in the back of the property and need to turn off the fence. I have 15 acres fully fenced with 5 strand. I run kikos and none have ever gotten out that I have seen.

 

[Jlblake]

Thank you guys. I probably should have mentioned that I'm fencing around 4,000 feet, maybe a little more. I'm hoping the single strand will work for cost purposes. Looks like in my area I could have the fence replaced for around $3 per foot but I don't want to spend that much money unless I have to.

 

[bullbreaker]

Cyclops Electric Fence Chargers and Energizers | Mains Battery Solar also makes good units . From the cheaper brands we have had good success with Parmak . Nether brands sold @ big box stores @ least not around here . Kencove has some good do it yourself vids on their websites as far as installs and even lightning diverters . Jury still out on them could be "snake oil".

ELECTRIC FENCE LIGHTNING DIVERTER THOUGHTS ?

Howdy too All ! Maybe its just me but I don't think so . Of the countless TBN threads /posts I have read throughout the years , it seems like when it comes to electric fence threads rarely do you hear someone mention a lightning diverter installed inline to protect especially their high $...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[weldingisfun]

From our website, talking about fencing, http://www.walkinghgoats.com/Fence.html . As already stated, you need lots of joules for goats. Dare Dare Products, Inc - 70 Years of Electric Fencing makes good products, but sounds like you are on a tight budget. Bottom line is high joule output. What is used for cattle and horses won't even be noticed by a goat, especially a buck in rut, Take that from 20+ years of experience. Good luck.

 

[Jlblake]

I'm just new to this really. Not sure how tight the budget is, just want to make sure I spend the money in the right places. Everybody on this site helps me tremendously. I appreciate the feedback.

 

[fishheadbob]

I kept cows and sometimes a bull fenced with 2 strands of electric. No problems. 2 things: 1. Train them well. and 2. make sure there is enough to eat INSIDE the wire cause you know where the grass is always greener.