Whether for a pet goat, milk goat, or breeding goat, goat fencing is necessary to keep them from getting into everything. It is a commonly held fact that goats are known to get into everything and most likely at least try to eat it. Goats also need to have grazing available to them in order to keep them healthy and busy.
Temporary Goat Fencing
Temporary goat fencing allow for the fence to be moved and other areas of the pasture to be grazed. They are easy to install and uninstall; although, there are some that require a little bit more labor than others.
One type of these fences is called E’Net. This fence is already woven and just needs to be put up. The height when erected can vary from around three feet up to about six feet. The rolls come in both 84 feet and 165 feet long. It has built in PVC posts that are spaced a little over a foot apart to add durability to the fence. There are two different types of posts that come with it, either single spiked or double spiked. Double spiked posts help stabilize the fence. Some extra posts may be required in certain circumstances, which may include soft soil or for corners, curves, or the end of the fence. This type of fencing is the least expensive, which makes it the most cost effective as it can last to almost 2 months or more. To get an idea on the price just follow this link.
In order to make the fence charged, an electric fence charger is needed. The prices for the electrical boxes vary from how many volts and power that is needed to how many acres are needed to be charged. Prices are also based off of the brand of the box as well. The range is anywhere from $30 to nearly $300 just for the electrical box. For more specific pricing here is a link.
Also when installing an electrical fence, precautions must always be taken so that the fence does not short out. The area around the fence should be cleared or mowed. Along with after storms or strong winds, making sure there is nothing on the fence. There are also electric fence testers to help know if a fence is still putting our enough of an electrical shock to keep the goats in. It is best to test the fence periodically, especially if goats start getting out.
The quickest to install is netting, but the cost is higher per foot of net. There is also the option of using 2 strands of IntelliTape or 3 strands of IntelliTwine. While both of these options will be cheaper than netting, they also consist of more labor. Along with buying the twine or tape, posts and sometimes insulators must be bought also. The process includes laying out the tape or twine and then either hammering or step-pushing the posts into the ground every few feet, and after that putting the twine or tape in the insulators and the insulators on the posts.
Permanent Goat Fencing
There is a more permanent way of keeping goats in a contained area. There is galvanized steel wire goat fencing that will last years without needing much maintenance. This requires large posts to keep the fence aligned. The posts range from three feet tall up to eight feet tall; however, anywhere from three feet to six feet should be enough for a goat fence. Usually wood or steel is used for the posts to add stability to the fence. Measuring the area that the fence is going is essential so that there is no need to purchase unnecessary fencing materials. The price of the fence depends on the length, the height, and the closeness of the gaps in the fence. A problem that may come up is that goats are curious and like to stick their heads where they don’t belong, if these goats have horns then their heads will possibly get stuck in the fence.
There are a few options to keep this from happening. The first option is to get a smaller sized fence so that the goat’s head won’t fit thru the gap. The second option is electrifying the fence. There are extended insulators that slip right on the posts that are already used for the fence already in use.
Barbed wire fencing is also very popular and effective in keeping the goats in and any predators out. It is best used in drier areas as when it gets wet; it is very likely to rust. It is recommended not to electrify barbed wire as it can cause major trauma to an animal.
When fencing a goat in, there should always be a consideration as to how to access them if something were to go wrong or if they needed to be moved somewhere; that is where a gate comes in. For more permanent dwellings, a welded metal gate is best, as it allows for easy opening and closing, and for easy access. For a more temporary fence, there is always the option of just undoing an end post and pulling the fence to the side, or use the NetGate 3.0. This gate is able to adapt to whatever size is needed, and allows for easy access to the area inside the fence. This gate is also not as expensive as the more permanent gate either.
Goat Fencing Costs
While most people prefer to put up their own fence, there are a few who will hire someone to do the job for them. These contractors will either want paid by the hour, acreage, or just a flat rate. Depending on the contractor, a person can expect to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars for their fence to be set up, and that does not include the materials. You can often find goat fencing for sale; the materials may include fence netting, barbed wire, twine, tape, posts, gates, possibly an electric fence charger, and even an electrical fence tester. When adding up all the materials together, putting a fence up without a contractor can equal up to hundreds if not thousands of dollars also.