I am getting my first goats in a few weeks and and electric fence seems to be the way to go. I was wondering what people use as far as fence type goes, polywire, bare wire, electric ribbon? or what? Also how many strands and how far from the ground and each other? The area I will be fencing is lightly wooded with some brush and bushes scattered through and is mostly level. The goats will be average sized dairy breeds. Any help would be great! Firsthand accounts are much more helpful than reading a book!
We have about 10+ dairy goats and we don't use electric fence. We had electric fence with pigs once and everytime the power went out they would go under the hog fence and make such a mess (and eat chickens). We use the 4" square goat fence with a string of barbwire on the top. We have never had one get out....never and one of our Nubian Bucks was as big as our Jersey bull. Good Luck with your goats, they are loads of fun.
We also use 4" square fencing with one strand of barbed wire at the top. At the bottom we put one strand of electric fencing to keep the predators from trying to dig under as well as to keep the goats from rubbing on the fence and stretching out the wire. This has worked well for us. The only negative aspect I have seen with this type fencing with goats is that the occasional "horned" goat will get his head through an not be able to get it back without assistance. Hope this helps!
Quote:This is the same system we use and works great. Nobody gets out and no dogs get in. If you are fencing thru a brushy/wooded area you will not want to depend solely on a few strands of electric fence. Electric goes out and so will your goats. And other critters can get in.
We run four strands of electric wire. Powered by a low impedence charger, the biggest we could afford. You have to teach them to respect the fence. This is the first fence I've had no escapes from. Works great.
I have a herd of 5 so far and no one touches the fence till the bull headed bratty Sunny gos through it. Then only 2 stay in. Sunny knows the fence is going to shock but she does it anyway. She actually she actually starts a few feet back and runs as she runs she's screaming her fool head off. Once out she shakes and goes about her business.
