Fencing for goats?

[Kenfyoozed]

I want a couple of goats to raise for meat and for them to clear out a heavily brushed area. The area in question is roughly 300x120 and hilly. I have searched diffent fences and it seems none are perfect. I wanted a high tensile wire fence but due to the hilly terrain i am afraid of up lifting my post. I plan on whatever fence, to also run 2-3 stands of elctric fence on the grazing side. I want to do this nicely yet inexpensive as possible. right now I am looking at either a 8 stand barbed wire fence+ electic inside, or regular field fence + electric. The thing I like about the barbed fence is that it is always "on", and will deter the goats from leaning or attempting to climb. the bad thing is that barbs can and will do damage. The regular field fence is ok but they can get their heads stuck. Goats in question will most likely be Boer goats, if that matters in the decision proccess. price diference is 150 less for the barbed wire, and fence post will be old power poles, as i have a good friend who can get me all I want.

What are your thoughts?
Thanks
Neil

 

[rmully]

Look up high tensile wire fencing. It is inexpensive, effective for goats and you will not injure your animals like you will with barbed wire. You will need 6 wires 6" 12" 18" 26" 36" 48" from the ground up, you can make them all hot or use the 18" wire as a ground. If the goats are not small when you get them you could start at 12" The HT wire is 12.5 gauge and the cost is about $100 for 4000 ft which is more than enough to do your project. Use a 50 mile fencer for the added shock. Good luck

 

[texasjohn]

The area you are fencing is not too expensive to use 8 strand barb wire... has long history of doing the job...goats are medium intelligent, will not go crazy and cut themselves all up like horses would. A couple of electric strands inside the fence will be super insurance....you are right in using solid fence posts, and lots of them... the corners are the most important, brace them well... I use 3 posts in a row at the corner. Suggest you use rachets in both the smooth wire and the barb wire... makes tightening up soooo much easier later...and you WILL need to do this. a 100 mile fence charger would be even better.... and will work thru brush and wet stuff.

 

[Kenfyoozed]

rmully- I had originally wanted a ht fence, but i am worried about up lift of the poles, since I have hiily terrain. But I will look into it farther. It seems like a HT fence and a barbed fence are close in price. Maybe a mixture of both, like the lower 4 barbed and the top 4 smooth for humans reaching over plus the electric.

There are some may routes to go. It starts to get aggravating!

On a side note, I ate my first goat meat tonight. I beleve the cuts were ment for stew as they were tough, but did have a grate flavor. I simply grilled after I mairinated . The wife said she liked the flavor better than beef!

 

[Mousefield]

We use page wire for our goats. Not to keen on barb wire, would worry they could injure themselves.

 

[Kenfyoozed]

what exatcly is page fencing? It looks like regular field fencing. What is the spacing of the openings? Do you have any problems with goats sticking their heads through?

 

[weldingisfun]

Enough said If you are raising goats you need our stronger Goat Fence. Best product on the market. And, no, I am not a dealer. I just raise goats.

 

[RichZ]

I own a dairy goat farm, and I use Red Brand Non-Climb fence for my goats. I have it held up with 6 foot T-posts every 8 feet. The only part I had trouble with it is a small stretch where the goats would stand stand against the fence, and slowly started pulling it down. I reinforced that section, and a few other sections where they did that. It works well for me, and was relative inexpensive, but the most improtant part to me is that it's maintenace free.

 

[Mousefield]

what exatcly is page fencing? It looks like regular field fencing. What is the spacing of the openings? Do you have any problems with goats sticking their heads through?

The spaces are smaller at the bottom. We call it page wire up our way, may go by other names in different areas. Yes, the goats can get their heads through it. Good thing as the grass is greener on the other side. :laughing::laughing: Our goats do not have horn so has not been a problem. If I had to do it over again I would look at a better "goat" wire fence. They do stand on it and rub against it so has become out of shape in a few areas. Having said that we have had goats for 9 years now and it is all the original wire.

 

[weldingisfun]

I own a dairy goat farm, and I use Red Brand Non-Climb fence for my goats. I have it held up with 6 foot T-posts every 8 feet. The only part I had trouble with it is a small stretch where the goats would stand stand against the fence, and slowly started pulling it down. I reinforced that section, and a few other sections where they did that. It works well for me, and was relative inexpensive, but the most improtant part to me is that it's maintenace free.

Run electric wire on the inside of your fence, the goats will not stand or rub themselves on the field wire.:thumbsup: