What's the best type of fencing to go with for NDG's? Would electric post and wire fencing be adequate or should we go with something different? I'd like to be able to move the fencing when it suits us and the goats, but if that isn't feasible, I would definitely like something sturdy and goat-escape-proof and I'm not quite sure where to start.
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I find babies, especially bottle babies that you are the mama to can get through the combination panel fences to come and find you until they get some size. That said, we have just started using the shorter three foot hog panels with good success with our bigger girls and our bucks. Not one of them has jumped out, wriggled out, or climbed out. They are so much cheaper and lighter.
Recently to expand my goat's outdoor space, I used a cattle panel and out 2x4 fencing *inside* it. The 2x4 was more for neighbors not putting their hands in there but my now 12-week-old large baby got through the cattle panel just a month ago and might still be able to squeeze through if she wanted to so it would likely be a good idea to have something on the bottom part if you go that route.
I'm not completely sure I understand what you're planning, but if you already have field fencing (or welded or woven wire), you can add a hot wire about nose level, which will keep goats from rubbing on the fencing and eventually ruin it, which is not a bad idea, even if you don't have a jumper because some of them really like to rub on fencing. It can also help with some jumpers though because the shock will discourage them from even attempting to jump. They don't know that they won't get shocked by trying to jump it. If you want to make the top of the fence higher to make it harder for them to jump over, you could put the hot wire 4-6 inches above the top of the other fence.
Deborah, could you tell me at what heights electric fence should be run? I have buck kids that at 10 weeks were jumping over a 4 foot high pallet - and not climbing over spaces....., but jumping the height. They get a look like a high jumper in the olympics - fix their target and go.
I have field fence and want to add 3 strands of electric in front of it. Just not sure about the distance between. I thought the bottom strand would be ok at 14 inches. any suggestions??
Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:
Climbing out is a matter of height, not size of openings. Goats can easily jump a 3' fence, but the taller it gets, the less likely it is that they can jump out. They make welded wire fencing (with 2" X 4" openings) in several heights up to 6'. I never say "never" when it comes to goats, but if he is really worried, I can't imagine a goat getting out of a 6' tall fence, although a 5' should do the trick. I have had a goat or two that could clear a 4' fence.
Maggie, I agree with Deborah about the height. I have 4' and so far have not had an escape with the NDs from that. She is absolutely right about the fact that they could escape though. I just haven't had the problem. I have 2x4 opening fence and it does very well for what I need. I also use a lot of the livestock panels I really love how easy it is to move them around etc. However the holes are big (on the regular panels)depending on the size of the goats. We have been using one as a temporary gate in one location also and because I have small dogs (cha./dach.) I attached a piece of 2x4 wire about 16" high to the bottom of the livestock panel and I love the result. We had a lot of 2x4 that was cut down in height (to about 16')from around a garden last year so I attached that so I would have small holes at the bottom but the strength of the livestock panel and the result has caused me to decide that, this is what I want my newborn kids in so I don't have to worry about them getting through holes. I am going to just attach short sections of the 2x4 to regular livestock panels and then I can have the convenience of strong easy to rearrange panels with small holes that my kids can't get through. I will be able to move them around almost anywhere I want.
Climbing out is a matter of height, not size of openings. Goats can easily jump a 3' fence, but the taller it gets, the less likely it is that they can jump out. They make welded wire fencing (with 2" X 4" openings) in several heights up to 6'. I never say "never" when it comes to goats, but if he is really worried, I can't imagine a goat getting out of a 6' tall fence, although a 5' should do the trick. I have had a goat or two that could clear a 4' fence.
It feels like I have gotten on here in forever!
Will fencing with 2"x4" holes be fine? My fiancée is concerned that the goat might be able to climb out somehow...
I, new to owning goats can tell you one thing for certian. Baby goats can and will get out on ANYTHING. We had four inch fence and our goat (whith a huge bottle baby tummy) got right through it at four months old.
Replies
I find babies, especially bottle babies that you are the mama to can get through the combination panel fences to come and find you until they get some size. That said, we have just started using the shorter three foot hog panels with good success with our bigger girls and our bucks. Not one of them has jumped out, wriggled out, or climbed out. They are so much cheaper and lighter.
Recently to expand my goat's outdoor space, I used a cattle panel and out 2x4 fencing *inside* it. The 2x4 was more for neighbors not putting their hands in there but my now 12-week-old large baby got through the cattle panel just a month ago and might still be able to squeeze through if she wanted to so it would likely be a good idea to have something on the bottom part if you go that route.
I'm not completely sure I understand what you're planning, but if you already have field fencing (or welded or woven wire), you can add a hot wire about nose level, which will keep goats from rubbing on the fencing and eventually ruin it, which is not a bad idea, even if you don't have a jumper because some of them really like to rub on fencing. It can also help with some jumpers though because the shock will discourage them from even attempting to jump. They don't know that they won't get shocked by trying to jump it. If you want to make the top of the fence higher to make it harder for them to jump over, you could put the hot wire 4-6 inches above the top of the other fence.
Deborah, could you tell me at what heights electric fence should be run? I have buck kids that at 10 weeks were jumping over a 4 foot high pallet - and not climbing over spaces....., but jumping the height. They get a look like a high jumper in the olympics - fix their target and go.
I have field fence and want to add 3 strands of electric in front of it. Just not sure about the distance between. I thought the bottom strand would be ok at 14 inches. any suggestions??
Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:
Maggie, I agree with Deborah about the height. I have 4' and so far have not had an escape with the NDs from that. She is absolutely right about the fact that they could escape though. I just haven't had the problem. I have 2x4 opening fence and it does very well for what I need. I also use a lot of the livestock panels I really love how easy it is to move them around etc. However the holes are big (on the regular panels)depending on the size of the goats. We have been using one as a temporary gate in one location also and because I have small dogs (cha./dach.) I attached a piece of 2x4 wire about 16" high to the bottom of the livestock panel and I love the result. We had a lot of 2x4 that was cut down in height (to about 16')from around a garden last year so I attached that so I would have small holes at the bottom but the strength of the livestock panel and the result has caused me to decide that, this is what I want my newborn kids in so I don't have to worry about them getting through holes. I am going to just attach short sections of the 2x4 to regular livestock panels and then I can have the convenience of strong easy to rearrange panels with small holes that my kids can't get through. I will be able to move them around almost anywhere I want.
Climbing out is a matter of height, not size of openings. Goats can easily jump a 3' fence, but the taller it gets, the less likely it is that they can jump out. They make welded wire fencing (with 2" X 4" openings) in several heights up to 6'. I never say "never" when it comes to goats, but if he is really worried, I can't imagine a goat getting out of a 6' tall fence, although a 5' should do the trick. I have had a goat or two that could clear a 4' fence.
Will fencing with 2"x4" holes be fine? My fiancée is concerned that the goat might be able to climb out somehow...
As far as movable pens go, they are quite easy to use and that's what I use for my four. There's a discussion here that talks all about it --- here's the link: http://nigeriandwarfgoats.ning.com/forum/topics/movable-pens
- WG4
I, new to owning goats can tell you one thing for certian. Baby goats can and will get out on ANYTHING. We had four inch fence and our goat (whith a huge bottle baby tummy) got right through it at four months old.
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