Among goat owners, there’s a well-known saying: “A fence that won’t hold water won’t hold a goat.”And though that hyperbole mayseemextreme … it’s certainly proven true by the generations of goat-escapees that have tested the patience of their fence-builders.
I think it’s also safe to say there is no one perfect solution for comfortably containing goats. It depends on your land, the breeds you keep, the weather of your area, and the resources and philosophy of your homestead. But there are many, many options.
Whether you decide to break the bank with an entire pasture of chain-link fence, choose electric wire to (hopefully) keep your herd in place, go for old-fashioned wooden fences and their associated upkeep, or create some sort of hybrid system, you will find upsides and downsides to every decision.
Related Post: Raising Goats
There will always be that too-smart doe who will find a way to outsmart the fence, but when you find yourself chasing her down, you can at least know that you are not alone. Goats certainly add a bit of clever spice to daily homestead life, and in the end, as long as you and your goats are safe, happy, and healthy, what more could you ask for?
Goat Fencing Basic Considerations
There are many considerations to keep in mind when choosing and constructing your goat fencing, but there are some universal bases to cover, no matter what material and method you use.
Fencing Area
A goat can manage on 250 square feet of outdoor space per animal. Since you shouldn’t have one lonely goat, you need to plan to have (at the bare minimum) 500 square feet fenced outside.
Other sources say that you can keep up to 12 goats per acre. The more space available, the happier your goats will be, but the more they’ll have to forage, the more you’ll have to fence.
Fence Height
Many sources recommend making fencing at least 4 feet high. Goats can and will jump over any fence that’s shorter. For more active breeds like miniatures and tall Nubians, increase the height to 5 feet.
Just because the fence needs to be tall, however, doesn’t mean you can leave gaps along the bottom. Goats can flatten themselves in unexpected contortions and can crawl under fences even more readily than they jump them.
Head Gaps
Goats love shoving their curious faces between things. It’s adorable!But if they are horned, this can often be a deadly mistake. Be sure that any gaps, whether they are formed by the spaces between posts, cross-braces, or the squares of a wire panel, are no larger than 4-by-4 inches.
Even then, and especially when you have small, active kids, keep a daily watch on your goats and fenceline. If a goat gets stuck, the clock is ticking to get it free before a coyote takes advantage of the prone meal.
Obstacles
Providing toys, raised platforms, construction spools, and logs for your fun-loving caprines is a wonderful idea, and watching these sure-footed creatures prance, leap, and balance is a joy every goat keeper should experience.
Related Post: Raising Nigerian Dwarf Goats
However, be sure that any raised surface is at least 5 or so feet away from the fence. This includes low-hanging tree branches so that they can’t make a running leap and clear the fence.
Fence Attachments
Attach the wire panels to the inner surface of the fence post — not the outer surface.This way, when goats inevitably push against it, they will be pushing the hardware into the post, and not slowly but surely out of it. In the same way, hinge gates so they open toward the goat yard, not swinging outward into freedom.
That way, even if goats somehow release the latch (it’s strongly recommended to get a two-action latch to avoid this), they’ll be pushing the gate closed as they lean against it, rather than pushing it open.
Walk Your Fenceline
Make it a habit to walk the fenceline of your property often to inspect its soundness, and check for potential problems like sagging, chewing, or gaps formed from goats pushing against weak points. Sometimes, the best way to stop a tragedy is to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Goat Fencing Options
For every option, I will list the basic information, the pros, and the cons. I have organized the options in order of cost from cheapest to most expensive, but it really is difficult to give hard numbers.
Material cost ranges from store to store, installation cost may be a huge factor if you don’t do it yourself, and the amount of area to fence will obviously multiply the cost exponentially. If you feel overwhelmed by all the options and don’t know how to estimate the cost, consider this helpful chart here.Even though these are 2011 prices, it gives you an idea of the factors to consider.
Wooden Fence
Wooden fences look appropriately rustic and can be made from materials you have on site at the homestead. Be prepared to work hard, though. Driving posts is not a job for the faint-hearted, and maintenance will be constant.Also, you’ll need to use a lot of material.
Related Post: Goat Shelter Basics: What You Need to Know to Keep Your Herd Safe
Particularly in a buck’s area, consider constructing the fence stockade-style, not picket style. Goat hooves or knees can be trapped when they stand on their hind legs to look over the fence. Want a trendy, recycled means of fencing?This homestead made a goat yard from pallets!
Pros And Cons Of A Wooden Fence
Pros: Unlike electrified fences, you never need doubt your wooden fence is working. If it’s standing, it’s “on” and materials are relatively easy to replace.
Cons: If you live in an area with lots of snowpack in the winter, you need to make sure your fence is high enough to still be a protection when a few feet of snow have lowered it. Goats can also chew on wood, and weaken posts easily. Weathering, rotting, and termites can also wear away the strength of a fence, and goats are excellent at exploiting any weak area they can find.
Wooden Fence Cost
Wooden fences are potentially low-cost if you mill the timber yourself, or if you already have an existing fence. Getting a service to pound posts into the ground for you will increase the price quite a bit.
Electric Fence
About as “instant” as a fence can get, electrified fencing hedges in animals using a psychological rather than a physical barrier.Unlike many types of livestock, however, you’ll need to put the fence’s charge higher than you may expect –somewhere from 4,500 to 9,000 volts at all times.
Goats are pretty smart. If they know there’s a time when the fence is off, they may figure out how to use it to their advantage.And even if you have a fence at lightning-bolt strength, you may find that it’s not a strong enough deterrent to a determined, stubborn animal. As a remedy, many goat dairy operations use high-tensile wire in combination with electric fencing to keep their goats safe.
Pros And Cons Of An Electric Fence
Pros: Easy setup, affordable, and easy to move if you want to try a rotational grazing method or brush control in different areas.
Cons: There’s a lot that can short out an electric fence.Regular weed maintenance is a must to keep tall grass from rendering it useless. Additionally, electric fences require training. Goats need to learn to respect the fence in order for it to rein them in mentally. Check out this article for some really helpful tips on training.
Electric Fence Cost
Electric fencing is a cheaper option for people who want to try a rotational grazing system but haven’t been able to put a wooden perimeter fence in place. It requires a lot of maintenance to keep it running, so that time invested in fence-clearing is another “cost” to add to the monetary cost.
Woven Goat Wire and Field Fence
Woven wire is a great option for permanent fencing solutions, but be sure to get the goat-specific version with 4-by-4 holes, rather than the typical 6-by-6, 6-by-9, and 6-by-12 weaves used for larger livestock. It will be more expensive — there’s a lot more wire used in the denser weave of goat wire — but it will save you from dealing with the hassle of horned goats getting their heads stuck.
Related Post: What Do Goats Eat?
Field fence is a close cousin to woven wire, and may work with your goats with some caveats. Field fence is really designed for horses and is often constructed of a finer gauge wire.While that makes it cheaper, it also makes it more liable to stretch and be bent out of a safe shape.
Remember, goats are climbers, and they can balance on surprisingly small surfaces. Field fence usually has a much wider weave. It’s a goat head trap waiting to happen.
Note: Install this fence nice and tight. I would recommend having the wire attached to strong posts cemented in the ground. Check out this video of a clever goat defeating a mobile fence with little effort.
If you have inherited a property with a decent field fence and want to keep goats, you may need to install some adaptations to make it as safe as possible. Consider adding electric wire or reinforcing it with some sort of additional layers.
Pros And Cons Of A Woven Goat Wire And Field Fence
Pros: Dependable, strong, and one of the more often-recommended methods for fencing goats.
Cons: The standard size of 4 feet tall may be too short for some breeds. This can be amended by stringing a line of electric wire above the top of the fence or using it in combination with a higher, wooden frame.
Woven Goat Wire And Field Fence Cost
The cost of woven goat wire is the middle of the road — not the priciest, not the cheapest. You can install it yourself, or have it professionally installed. Websites like these will give you a quote to help you make a decision.
Cattle Panels/Stock Panels/Goat Panels
These solid, metal panels are a great option for creating a strong barrier. Even if they are too expensive to use as fencing, consider them for making quick work of sectioning your barn for different uses — especially during kidding season!
Pros And Cons Of Cattle Panels/Stock Panels/Goat Panels
Pros: About as solid and bend-proof as you can get.These 16-foot sections of panel will make a fantastic perimeter that won’t rot and won’t warp out of shape.
Cons: Expensive! Also, kids will escape from these “as is.” Prevent runaway babies by installing an extra line of something like chicken wire or hardware along the bottom portion of each panel.
Cattle Panels/Stock Panels/Goat Panels Cost
Cattle panels are strong but expensive.A 16-foot feedlot panel will run somewhere around $20 apiece, and this price does not include any of the wooden posts that would be used to install it. The problem is, panels have spaces that are designed for cows, not slippery goats. They’ll require some augmentation to work. Specifically-designed goat panels will run you upwards of $60 apiece.
Chain Link Fence
Though chain link fence may be among the most goat-proof of fencing materials, it is probably the most expensive option — so expensive that many resources won’t even list it.
If you have a very small herd, however, and the luxury of being able to afford it, chain link is worth considering for long-term, permanent goat housing. Even if you can’t afford it for the whole herd, it may be a viable option for containing your bucks.
Pros And Cons Of Chain Link Fences
Pros: Solid, sturdy, long lasting, and good for keeping out predators.
Cons: Stinking expensive.
Chain Link Fence Costs
This website estimates 200 feet of fencing (with installation) will run you somewhere around $3,000.
Special Notes About Bucks in Rut
I’ve not yet had to deal with this directly, but I have visited several farms with breeding bucks and heard plenty of stories about their hormone-induced antics.
For long-term planning, a buck and a wether may be best for small homesteads, because bucks are still herd animals and don’t want to be alone. If you decide to keep bucks on your farm, you need to have an extra sturdy plan for him once he turns into a raging breeding machine.
Related Post: My Goat Is Pregnant, Now What?
Don’t place your buck’s area right next to the does. If they share a fence, he will get over it somehow (or even impregnate the does through the fence). If you can splurge on fencing, do it for the bucks first!
My final advice for those beginning to build their goat infrastructure comes from Julia Shewchuk of Serenity Acres Farm:
“Buy the best fence and materials you can afford one pasture at a time.”
Don’t scrimp on your goat fencing and build a cheap version of what you really need. Your goats will test it, and you’ll likely find yourself spending even more money fixing the lame fence than you would have spent to build it out of stronger materials.
Escapee goats are a danger to themselves, a threat to your gardens and orchard, an annoyance to neighbors, and a potential hazard if you live near a busy road. So do them and yourselves a favor. Do your research and try to get it right the first time, even if it means keeping fewer goats at the outset.
FAQs
What type of fencing is best for goats? ›
Square wire fence is strong and durable enough for goats. The four-inch squares keep most goats safely controlled. Small goats, though, can get their horns caught or poke their heads through.
What is the best height for a goat fence? ›In areas where jumping is likely, such as over a fence that is meant to protect a garden or to separate bucks from does in heat, make sure the fence is tall enough to prevent the goat from even attempting to jump over. A 4- to 5-foot (1.2–1.5 m) fence is satisfactory for most goats.
How tall of a fence would likely be required to keep the goats confined? ›A goat fence must be at least 34 inches tall to keep kids and miniature goats inside and 47 inches tall to keep standard-size goats inside. If the goat can get a hoof hold on the fencing at any point, it will climb up and over.
What wire do you use for goats? ›Goats are strong and smart and your fence has to be as well. Tough and flexible woven 12.5 gauge wire with strong stiff stay knots is imperative. This combination of factors will stand up to the roughhousing that goats bring to the party.
How do you build a goat fence? ›Building Fences That Keep Goats IN! - YouTube
How do you keep goats fenced? ›Since goats tend to rub on walls and fences, they have to be extremely sturdy. When you put in fencing, use eight foot wooden or metal posts. Space them eight to ten feet apart and bury them at least two feet deep. If you're using T-posts, pound them in past the V at the bottom that holds them in the ground.
How far apart should fence posts be? ›Most fence posts can be spaced 8 to 12 feet apart. While this is a general criteria, it doesn't cover all scenarios. For instance, high tensile fence can have larger spacing, requiring line posts every 15 to 20 feet for field fence styles, and as much as 20-30 feet for high tensile barbed and smooth wire.
How high of a fence can a goat jump? ›Most goats can jump anywhere from 4 to 12 feet high. This becomes the main concern when you're building a fence because you don't want to put in all that hard labor for nothing.
Why do goats rub on fences? ›Goats Shed And That Causes Them To Itch
This is what shedding could feel like to a goat when they are shedding their winter coat. During this time goats likely enjoy a good scratch to help relieve some of their itchings. You may see your goats rubbing against posts, trees, or other rough surfaces.
3 Reasons Why Your Goats Keep Escaping - YouTube
How big should a goat pen be? ›
Each individual goat will need about 200 square feet per goat. With about 20 square feet for sleeping. Goats need to live in pairs, so you'll need at least 400 square feet and adequate room for them to sleep at night.
What is the best fence charger for goats? ›Fence Chargers
To safely contain goats, you need a Zareba® Fence charger that maintains 4,000 – 5,000 volts on the fence line. Voltage levels are impacted by vegetation on the fence line, length of fence, and type of wire.
Your fence charger needs to stay at a minimum of 5000 volts at all times to keep your goats contained and keep predators out. The voltage level of your fence can be impacted by a lot of things such as the length of your fence, the kind of wire you are using, and any vegetation that may be on the wires.
Is barbed wire fence good for goats? ›Most barbed wire fences in Oklahoma are four or five strands and are very good at holding cattle, but very poor for hold- ing goats. Barbed wire fences do not effectively con- fine goats, if higher grazing pressures are applied to the fenced-in area.
Do goats need a fence? ›Goat fencing is an important part of owning animals especially when it comes to goats. Knowing what is out there and what works in each situation will not only help you save money and time but will keep your animals safe as well.
How do you build a wire fence? ›How to Build a Wire Fence | The Home Depot with @This Old House
What is needed for raising goats? ›If you have goats or are considering raising goats, you should know that goat's basic needs are: shelter, water, and food. Goats need protection from the elements, and constant access to fresh water, but one of the most important elements of raising goats is proper nutrition.
Is electric fence good for goats? ›Using electric fencing to confine goats can be a convenient way to pasture the animals where they can keep grass and weeds clipped in hard-to-mow places. Electric fencing also affords the flexibility of rotating grazing areas so that goats are moved frequently to clean ground and fresh grass.
Do goats jump fences? ›Goats have a natural tendency to leap or even climb over fencing. They can jump incredibly high, and their climbing abilities are astounding. If you give them even the slightest foothold, they will be able to escape.
Is chain link fence good for goats? ›Type Of Fencing
Perhaps the best method of fencing for goats is Chain Link fencing. With chain link fencing, you can be almost 100% certain that your goats will never get out. While this may indeed be the best method, there is one distinct disadvantage to this type of fencing - the overall cost.
Is 2 feet deep enough for fence posts? ›
Dig post hole so diameter of the hole is 3 times the width of the post (i.e., the hole for a 4” wood post should be about 12 inches wide). The depth of the hole should be 1/3-1/2 the post height above ground (i.e., a 6-foot tall fence would require a hole depth of at least 2 feet).
How do I calculate how many fence posts I need? ›Number of posts = (fence length / post spacing) + 1 (round the result up) Number of sections = number of posts - 1. Post length = fence height * 1.5.
Can a goat jump a 4 foot fence? ›While the actual height a goat can jump will vary by size and breed, you will find, on average, goats can jump between 4-5 feet (1). While a four foot tall fence may serve for keeping in other types of livestock, it might not cut it for goats.
How much grass does a goat need? ›Each goat needs about two to four pounds of hay per day (3-4% of body weight in pounds), which can be fed free choice or twice a day. If good range isn't available, dry grass forage of a horse quality is acceptable. Goats require additional hay, which is roughage, for their rumen to function properly.
Will goats protect chickens? ›So, do goats protect chickens? Goats are not known to protect chickens; in fact, goats usually fall prey to the same predators that chickens do. While goats won't fight off predators, their size may deter birds of prey from hunting your chickens.
How much space does 2 goats need? ›To avoid these complications, give your goats enough space to roam. As a rule of thumb, we recommend having at least 10-15 feet of space for every goat. However, this may vary depending on the size and activity level of your breed of goats.
How do you get rid of goat lice naturally? ›You can also use natural products, such as diatomaceous earth, sulfur, and essential oils. My favorite remedy for lice on goats is to simply shave off their hair, if the weather is warm enough.
Do goats get lice or fleas? ›Goats are susceptible to many parasitic conditions — worms, mites, and lice — because parasites are part of the environment. It may be next to impossible to eliminate parasites, but with good management practices, we can mitigate their effects on herd health.
Should you lock goats up at night? ›Goats require only a small amount of sleep (just over five hours a day), and they can see relatively well at night even in low light (thanks to their rectangular pupils), so they are active at night when you're not around. Should goats be locked up at night? Goats should always be locked up in some way at night.
What are goats afraid of? ›Goats hate the scent of certain herbs like lavender, sage, hydrangea, cayenne pepper and also detest animal dung and peppermint oil.
What keeps coyotes away from goats? ›
The most commonly seen LGD is the Great Pyrenees, typically used to protect goats and sheep against coyotes, wolves and mountain lions in the U.S. and other predatory animals across the globe. Other common LGD breeds include the Maremma, Kangal and Akbash.
Will a goat run away? ›Good news-goats don't really run away. They run to something, like food or companionship. While it's true if they are “running away” they are out of the pen. This is annoying for sure, but for the most part goats will end their “running away” spree by camping out on your porch.
Will goats cross a cattle guard? ›Cattle Guards are not effective for all animals
These are usually the non-hoofed variety with paws. Dogs, cats, coyotes, and others will have no trouble getting over the rounded pipes. Even small hoofed animals such as sheep and goats will usually be able to trot right across without much effort.
The amount of time it takes for goats to clear land is determined by the amount of vegetation on the property, and the number of goats brought to the job site. One common guideline is that it takes 60 goats ~3 days to clear 1 acre.
What is the best shelter for goats? ›Three sided shelters that protect the goats from wind and precipitation are adequate. Goats will need shade and protection from drafts. Greenhouse barns, calf hutches and even large dog boxes provide sufficient shelter for goats. Straw, shredded paper, shavings and corn cobs can all be used as bedding.
Do goats need heat in the winter? ›Goats kidding in the cold weather will require more shelter because young kids will not be able to maintain their body temperature outside. A heat lamp may be required in these situations but should only be used with extreme caution because of the risk of barn fires or animals chewing electric cords.
Is sand good for goat bedding? ›Sand for Easy Drainage
As mentioned, sand can be an excellent choice for your goat bedding ideas. Despite not being absorbent enough, it can efficiently help with the drainage. Make sure to spread the sand evenly under the bedding. Keep in mind that too much sand tends to hold urine as well.
Barbed wire fences do not effectively con- fine goats, if higher grazing pressures are applied to the fenced-in area. Goat-proof barbed wire fences require at least five to six wires with the spacing on the bottom starting at 3 inches and increasing to 5 inches at the top.
Are chain link fences good for goats? ›Chainlink fencing is a great option for containing your goats. The biggest drawback is it's expensive.
Will high tensile fence keep goats in? ›Goats can be controlled with four to five strands of high-tensile electrified wire. The wire spacings can vary from 6 to 8 inches near the ground to 8 to 12 inches for the top strands. Perimeter fence height should be at least 42 inches tall.
What kind of fence do you use for Nigerian Dwarf goats? ›
Woven Wire Fencing
Since we plan to stick with Nigerian Dwarf (ND) goats that are less than two feet tall, 4' fencing is high enough (the chickens could probably fly over but they haven't figured this out) and we went with 2” x 4” woven wire.
3 Reasons Why Your Goats Keep Escaping - YouTube
Can a goat jump a 4 foot fence? ›These compact animals may not seem like they can jump high. Even though they're extremely short, you can still expect these animals to jump over a 4-foot-tall fence. They also enjoy leaning, standing, and chewing on fencing.
How do you keep a goat in a certain area? ›Each goat should be provided with at least a quarter of an acre of space. A fenced-off area of a large garden, or a small field or paddock is essential. You also need to provide dry, well ventilated accommodation as goats do not like getting wet.
How many acres do you need per goat? ›When determining what is the ideal number of goats per acre, consider the average farm can support approximately six to eight goats per acre of land. This is if the said acre of land has sufficient quality forage to sustain the goats.
How far apart should fence posts be? ›Most fence posts can be spaced 8 to 12 feet apart. While this is a general criteria, it doesn't cover all scenarios. For instance, high tensile fence can have larger spacing, requiring line posts every 15 to 20 feet for field fence styles, and as much as 20-30 feet for high tensile barbed and smooth wire.
How many goats does it take to clear an acre? ›“A 400-head goat herd can clear an acre to an acre-and-a-half of brush per day,” he said.
How many joules does a goat fence need? ›Goats are hard to juice you need to fix a couple grounds and put a ground rod in 8 feet deep about every 400 foot with a 6 joules box.
How many volts does a goat need? ›Your fence charger needs to stay at a minimum of 5000 volts at all times to keep your goats contained and keep predators out. The voltage level of your fence can be impacted by a lot of things such as the length of your fence, the kind of wire you are using, and any vegetation that may be on the wires.
What is the best fence charger for goats? ›Fence Chargers
To safely contain goats, you need a Zareba® Fence charger that maintains 4,000 – 5,000 volts on the fence line. Voltage levels are impacted by vegetation on the fence line, length of fence, and type of wire.
Is electric fence good for goats? ›
Using electric fencing to confine goats can be a convenient way to pasture the animals where they can keep grass and weeds clipped in hard-to-mow places. Electric fencing also affords the flexibility of rotating grazing areas so that goats are moved frequently to clean ground and fresh grass.
What type of fence is best for pygmy goats? ›The best solution we found was 2″x4″ wire fencing, often sold as “no-climb horse fence”. There are two types of this fencing wire sold: welded wire (less expensive, and may not last as long, but not a bad choice), and woven wire (more expensive, but the best choice, as it will last longer).
Do goats need a fence? ›Goat fencing is an important part of owning animals especially when it comes to goats. Knowing what is out there and what works in each situation will not only help you save money and time but will keep your animals safe as well.