Invisible fence and goats..will it work?

[JessaLynn]

I am considering getting two pygmy goats and was wondering instead of fencing our yard in, would a invisible fence work? Works for dogs so that's why I thought of using this for them.We will have a small fenced in area and a shelter house for them so they are safe at night but I would like them to be able to roam an acre of our land during the day.

 

[Barry]

I do not know, but I would like to know how this works for you when you try it. It sounds feasible.

 

[JessaLynn]

Got to find out if it's safe for them or not before I attempt it

Anyone got any suggestions,opinions on this?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Even on the VERY SLIM chance that it did work, it will NOT keep any predators out

 

[coberdor]

Goats could certainly be trained like dogs to stay in the fence area, but these electric fences do not keep predators out. This is what I would be concerned with. You will see lots of posts on goat web rings that discuss and show pics of their goats killed by neighbor dogs, feral dogs, etc.

I've used underground fences before with my dogs, but I stopped for two reasons. First, we have coyotes and these fences certainly do not stop the coyotes, nor did they stop the neighbor dogs from coming on my property and attacking my dogs. Second, I had a dog who would take the shock to run after a rabbit, but then would not come back into the yard and would sit outside the fenceline and wait for us to come and get him.

I've had goats for 20 years, so I've had alot of experience keeping them in fences and keeping predators out. Goats need to be out browsing most of the day to stay healthy. I cannot stay outside and watch them all the time to keep them safe.

Goats are escape artists. They can jump 4 foot fences when they are little, without a problem. They can squeeze their heads out of small holes in the fence, then can't get them out, especially if they have horns. They will crawl under a fence if they can get their head under it. They are avid climbers and like to be up high on anything. They can even climb trees, if they can find a way to the first branch.

My advice to you is to get a woven wire fence, at least 4 foot tall with the squares about 6'" square. You have to use electric, one low so they don't crawl under the fence. They are herd animals, so you need to have them with other goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, llamas, or other herd animals.



Carmel

 

[JessaLynn]

Yeah makes sence.We don't have any dogs roaming.Everyones dog on our road has the invisible fence rigged up.Not sure on coyotes around here because we never seen one but sure that doesn't mean they aren't there.It was just an idea really.I want to keep our goats safe and that's more important.I was just looking for a more inexpensive way to fence in more of our land so they had plenty of room to roam

 

[coberdor]

You can usually find metal fence posts on craigslist fairly cheap. If you can't find them there, TSC has decent prices on them.

I got some chain link fence for 20 bucks for a 50 foot roll at a fence company. It was fencing that they had taken down to install a new fence. Many companies don't throw away the old fencing, but they won't use it to build a fence for their customers. Check some fencing companies up there and ask about any previously used and taken down fencing.

 

[mandelyn]

At first this sounded plausable to me, but after recalling some memories of my goat, I don't think they have the mind for it. Yes, they would learn, but they're also entirely too curious, bullheaded, and smart enough to realize (like any uber smart dog) that once they're across and away from the line, they're free.

They also wouldn't take kindly to the shock effect, and they could become nervous about it. I keep picturing a goat harmlessly grazing, not paying attention to where it is, and getting a buzz out of the blue. I'd imagine they would leap in the air, perhaps landing outside the line?

Too many possibilities about it not working, not to mention the predator factor. You'd be better off with 3 strands of hot wire, the goat being able to see the boundary, and knowing where the shock is coming from if it gets too close.

It's not like goats run away from home, but they do like to get themselves into trouble... think of a cat.

 

[JessaLynn]

Ok so that's outa the question.Good tips everyone thanks

My Uncle ownes a fence company here but doubt he would give me much of a discount cuz he's a cheap wad.LOL I'm gonna ask anyway and see what I can come up with.We are thinking by spring next year to get them because the way funds are right now, it's not fesible.I don't want to strap myself down to much because my kids are still in need of school supplies ect.My daughter just started back up in ballet and my oldest will be doing football this year.AND I just got braces for myself.LOL I know we still got more research to do as far as making sure we educate ourselves as much as possible before we get them.I have never raised goats and my husband either only when his grandpa would bring them home but to slaughter them within a couple weeks.We also haven't decided what breed for sure.I want the pygmies for pets and for a possible 4H project for my kids.I want a milking goat but not a large one.Gonna check out the goat spot and ask away!

Thanks ya'll

 

[FunkyFaith]

We have 2 horse pastures, but the fencing is 3 rail horse fencing. So the goats could obviously get through. But I was wondering about putting in some invisible fencing for the goats. And just give each a collar. We are planning on just having 2 does. Does anyone think this would work? It gives the goats a visual fence, but they get zapped if they try to go through.