GOAT FENCING
Brava posing in front of a woven wire fence.
Any goat owner would agree that when we say, “you live and die by your fencing,” we mean it! Why? Because goats are skilled escape artists! They can jump over fences, squeeze between them, discover weak points, create gaps, and even walk through the mesh.
Goats are the type of creatures who seem to be always thinking that the “grass is greener on the other side,” even though it is the same type of stuff. Oh, my goat! So, before you think about owning goats, make sure to secure their enclosure or perimeter properly with the right type of fencing.
Woven wire fencing (height 5ft; mesh 2 in x 4 in).
Types of fencing:
Livestock fencing varies depending on the type of animal, style, price, and size of the mesh. In this case, make sure the one you choose is designed for goats:
Woven wire (most common)
Electric net (ideal if you need to move them around)
Welded wire (typically used on gates)
Chain link
Chicken wire (It can help to fill the gaps of larger mesh openings, but just temporarily. The material is very thin, and goats will be able to bend it and create gaps very easily. So, try to stay away from it as much as you can.)
Installing and securing woven wire fencing to a T-post.
Important fence features:
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The ideal height is 5 ft, although 4 ft high is also common. However, we’ve seen some of our goats jump over our 4ft tall fences, so beautifully, like professional gymnasts. Oh, what a headache! So, if you encounter that problem, you can add an extra line of barb wire at the top of the fence to raise the height. Or you could just replace the entire fence with a minimum 5 ft tall fence. Something to keep in mind is that the younger the goat is, the more agile it will be.
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Unlike for large cattle, goats can also squeeze through small openings. The smaller the gaps of the mesh, the better. You may consider mesh with gaps of 4 in x 4in or 2 in x 4 in, as the most ideal.
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Goat fencing is not cheap. Make sure to shop around before you buy. Prices can vary from store to store. We usually buy our fencing supply from our local feed stores, but after comparing prices.
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You can hire a crew or do it yourself. We normally install our own fence. We first drill holes in the ground for end and corner posts, then install T-posts every 10 ft. to add support and tension and lastly, we fasten the fence in place.
The woven wire goat fencing (height 5ft; mesh 4 in x 4 in) is another option.
Raising goats is such a fun experience. However, trying to chase after them is not so much. Therefore, it is crucial to install sturdy and reliable fencing, so that your cute farm animals will just focus on clearing the brush within your property and reducing the risk for wildfire in the process.