I am wondering what most people use for goat fencing. I did not anticipate any issues as my property is completely fenced and cross fenced. Outer perimeter is the no climb page wire with a barbed wire at the top, and inner fencing is mostly 4' , 4" x 2" page wire. The new goat is a monkey, the climbing variety. Although she is not limited to climbing as she also goes under the fencing in areas as well. Fortunately she is not leaving the property as their is ample food and company, however is getting in areas where I don't want her to get; like the chicken run and the garden. And now the other goat and dogs, and ducks are following her. Poor chickens haven't been getting much to eat when I am at work.
I read a previous post (Escape Artist), and will try the recommended barbed wire brackets over the fencing. But will I have to put 2" x 4"'s around the bottom of all interior fencing?
Thanks
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I have had similar problems off and on with my goats. They have crawled under lots of loose fencing. The only thing that really keeps my goats in line is hotwire. It is sad to see them tangle with it for the first time. But compared with constantly chasing your goats around...
I put it at "scratch" level on the fence, between 1-2 feet off the ground. So if they go to lay on the fence or push under it or anything they will get it. One or two zaps and they generally don't go near the fence again. Does are easier to keep in than bucks. We had to rebuild a LOT of our fencing, which was old and rather loose and they would crawl under it, or jump over it where it was sagging down.
A good fence charger isn't more than 100 bucks at Tractor Supply, wire and insulators maybe another fifty after that depending on how much area you need to do. I usually only have to do particular parts of the pasture where they congregate, rub on the fence, or know they can crawl under.
A shock will keep a doe from trying to go near the fence for a long time even if you forget to turn on the charger. I have 1 buck who apparently consistently tests it to be sure if it's on because if I EVER leave it off for a second he's out.
You can check the animal size recommended on the charger- be sure you get one that won't hurt a newborn goat kid if you are having goat kids. If your goats are adults then go by the adult goat weight, you want enough charge to set them straight but not enough to hurt a baby.
Thanks Deborah, very good information about the barbed wire. I will see what I can configure with 2 x 1 reinforcements.
Surprisingly this is not my bottle baby; the bottle baby is fairly well behaved. This is the 2nd goat, I picked her up at 16 weeks. And she is oddly attached to me, considering the breeder I purchased her from was a man, and it did not appear that his wife was that involved with the goats. She attempts to follow me everywhere, but gets into mischief when I am not around. This is the goat that was afraid of the LGD puppy, but now loves him.
All my animals are on organic feeds, not sure if they just particularly like the chicken feed.
Does anyone have suggestions or pictures of the treat container Rachel mentioned?
I'm not clear ... is this an only goat? If there are other goats with her, my second question is, was she a bottle baby?
Yeah, it totally could be that she's bored... maybe you can make something with treats in it, that they have to work to get to?
Toly has been here for a month now, and has been accepted by everyone. Could she still miss her heard? This behaviour is fairly new (the last week), and as soon as she figured out how to get in/or out of an area she tried it on another. I was wondering if she is bored, do goats get bored easily? It has been very hot here for the passed three weeks, but there is plenty of shade in the areas she is allowed and lots to nibble.
Mine have all stopped trying... they are about the same age.
I wonder if some of it, is being new, and being the odd man out.
She is almost five months.
I don't think it's abnormal... I think some are more inclined than others... and I don't think it's *as* common with goats that have herd mates. My littles are the only ones that try to get out. They sneak through all the holes I can't find. lol Once they get big enough, they stop trying to get out... How old is the one that's getting out?
Oh no, this is not usual behaviour? And she seems so proud of herself when she is somewhere she shouldn't be.
WOW! That is one determined goat!! None of mine have gone under yet. I use bird netting at the bottom of my fencing to keep the littles in... some of it lays onto the ground, and then the grass grows through it, and holds it in place. I wonder if that would help keep yours from going under? Not entirely sure that would be cheaper than the wood though.