Looking to find out more about proper goat fencing? We have learned a few (important) lessons about what goat fence to use and what goat fencing to NOT use.
Goat fencing is something that we have talked about previously. To see our reviews of several goat fencing types, click here. Since our initial goat fencing review, we have added several goats to the herd.
As part of these herd additions, we added two bucks.
Now, as you may know, you usually keep bucks separate from does. To do this, we built a buck house (a simple shed) and partitioned off a part of the does pasture.
Sectioning part of the pasture off for the boys, of course, meant putting up more goat fencing. At the time, like usual, we were trying to think about saving time as well as money while building the buck pen.
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We had originally decided on a woven wire goat fencing with smaller 4x4 squares for our does pasture area. This goat fencing is usually the sturdiest and longest lasting, but it is also the most expensive.
Well, for the buck area, it was much smaller than the does pasture and we were sectioning off a corner of the existing pasture - so we only needed two sides of new fencing.
We decided that despite the fact we had researched and determined the proper goat fencing for our needs was heavier duty woven wire, we would go with the cheaper welded wire.
Welded Wire Goat Fencing
Here are our lessons learned:
Money & Time Saving Tips for Proper Goat Fencing -
How much a goat costs isn't boiled down to just the initial price of the goat. By cost, we mean ongoing or related expenses. Next to shelter, fencing is probably the largest, and most important, upfront cost.
1. Cheaper isn't always cheaper afterall
We spent about half the price on the welded wire goat fencing as we did for the woven wire fencing. But it didn't end up being cheaper in the long run!
Our girls woven wire goat fencing has withstood 20+ goats rubbing and climbing on it for several years without needing replacing.
The welded wire fencing holding just two young boys already has a piece that needs replacing. (Just a few months after having them in there!) I expect that will not be the only time that the boys breakout. (Update: They DID breakout...over and over)
As they pop the fencing, we must replace it with more goat fencing which means more money.
2. Fencing is not a quick thing to put up
Goat fencing is not a super easy installation. It is time consuming and labor intensive. So, while the proper goat fence that holds the girls in just took one time of installation, every time the bucks fencing breaks we must spend time to repair it.
We have had to repair an ENTIRE side of their pasture area now (remember, only two sides are welded wire). These repairs took considerable time as it started with small patches and then eventually lead to replacing the whole side with different fencing.
Make-shift Goat Fence Repair
3. Safety is another lesson to learn
Luckily, when the boys broke out the first time none of our girls were showing and goat heat signs. We have several young doelings that are way too young to safely be pregnant.
Another potential safety issue is predators and getting lost. If you put up bad goat fence and your goats break out, they are vulnerable to predators. They could walk into a road, or wander away from home.
All of this has served as a reminder for us that being frugal doesn't always mean buying the cheapest (upfront) item. This isn't to say that welded wire or other fencing options cannot serve as proper goat fencing in other situations.
However, for us, with a large herd and lots of wear and tear a sturdier goat fence is ultimately the cheaper, safer and quicker option.
Want to see what our goat fencing looked like after our boys tore it up? Check out this video:
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Has anyone experience a goat who is an escape artist?
Learn how to deal with this and other goat issues:
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Lisa Scott says
I have an ND/Pygmy named Snowflake. We had 48" woven wire fence put up with 4x4 posts every 48" plus across the top with 1x4. AND 1 strand of electric running across the top and she will STILL jump the fence!!! I swear, she wakes up every morning with the sole purpose of making me go out and get her at least 3 times a day!!
MrAnimal Farm says
Wow, sounds like she is determined! Luckily we have never had any want to be so sneaky!
Rhianna Hawk says
I'm planning to get some fencing put up first before I go purchasing my goats for my goat farm, and it's good to know that putting it up is definitely not a DIY project. Getting proper installation is important, especially, as you said, when goats have a tendency to try and break through, so I'll be sure to get an installation service along with the fencing material. I don't want to leave my goats vulnerable to predators, and I know that there are some stray dogs in the area that might not be safe to have around goats, so I'll be sure to get quality fencing the first time around, as you suggest.