Escape proof goat fencing
If you are looking for escape proof goat fencing options that you can use with your own herd, this guide will be the help you need. Keeping your goats inside where they are safe and protected is possible with a good fence.
When researching the different types of goat fence ideas, be sure to find an option that fits your herd escape level and the area where you live.
Raising goats on a hobby farm or family homestead can be a fun, educational, and rewarding experience. I love having goats, but they do like to test your limits. That’s why it’s important to ensure you have the right goat fence set up. Not only will it keep your goats inside but it will help to keep predators out.
Knowing the different fencing options will help you to find an escape proof solution that will ensure your goat herd is well protected.
What is the best escape proof goat fencing?
Escape-proof goat fencing is an enclosure that prevents goats from leaving their designated area, such as a pasture. A few of our favorite options include electric fences, fence netting, wood fencing, and woven wire steel panels.
No matter what type of goat fence you choose, it’s important to make sure it’s strong enough to contain your goat herd and keep them from getting loose.
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Why goat fencing is important
Goat fencing actually has two purposes. First, it is meant to keep your animals in an area so they cannot get out and get into trouble or cause damage to your crops, garden, or property around your home.
Proper goat fencing also helps protect goats and other animals, as well as any potential predators in the area. Where we live, coyotes are common, and we rely on our fence to keep them away from our herd, especially our young goat kids.
We also have a temperamental pig that we need to keep away from our herd as well. This means our fence setup needs to play double duty.
Why do goats want to escape the fence?
Many times, goats try to get out of a fenced-in area mainly during breeding season when the does are in heat, and the bucks are in a rut. Let’s talk about each of these quickly.
First, heat is when a female goat is ready to be bred. She releases an odor that male goats and bucks can smell.
Next, rut is when a male goat is ready to breed. He also releases a scent that attracts the female goat.
When a goat is in heat, she may try to get to a buck on the other side of the fence. More often, however, it is the buck that will do just about anything to get to a female goat, especially when he is in rut, and she is in heat.
Having a secure fence set up and in place will help to reduce the risk of unwanted breedings.
Escape Proof Goat Fencing
The number one purpose of goat fencing is to keep your animals in. In most cases, a large majority of goats will never try to get out of a fenced-in area, but now and then, you get that one goat that will do anything to escape.
Here are our top picks for fencing options to consider for your goat herd.
Fence Option #1. Steel panels.
Steel panels are long sheets of fencing that can be purchased in two height sizes.
- Hog panels are 36″ high and come in lengths of 6-8′ long.
- Cattle panels are 50″ high and come in lengths of 8-16′ long.
Both are made of durable, high-quality steel that will stand up to the wear and tear of a goat and the weather. For our bucks, we prefer the cattle panels since they are higher. These work quite well at keeping our bucks contained even during the breeding season.
You will need to have heavy-duty fence posts as well to ensure the panels stay intact. Also, wire or thick zip ties will work to attach one panel to another. To reinforce your fence, put the posts on the outside of the panels. This will give extra support against goats that like to stand on the fence.
Fence option #2. Electric Fence Netting
Electric fence netting is a woven option that is electrified. The size of the openings varies, and you will want to choose that size depending on the breed of goat you raise. This style of fence is a no-climb option because it is electrified, and this is a great deterrent to keeping goats back and away.
Electric netting is powered by a solar box that can be placed anywhere along the fence line. Another bonus of netting is it can be moved easily and quickly with just one person. This is a bonus for me since most of the projects with our goats land in my lap. This fence option will also allow you to relocate your herd’s grazing area and help keep parasite outbreaks from occurring. For our goats, we use electric fence netting because we find it works great for both our female goats and our bucks.
How do you ensure that the electric fence does its job?
The key is to train your goat herd to respect your fence. We train our herd each spring before letting them out on summer pasture. We also like to train our kid goats when they are young so that the memory of getting zapped remains instilled in their minds and reduces the attempts of escape in the future.
Fence Option #3. High Tensile Electric Fencing
Finally, high tensile fencing is another great escape proof option to consider. The most expensive of the three, this type of fencing is permanent but will outlast the first two by years or even decades. Sometimes called the 50-year fence, this is a good option if you plan to raise animals for many years to come.
Large posts are secured in the ground with concrete, and a high-carbon steel wire is attached to each post. Heavy swing gates are installed for easy access to animals along with any farm equipment.
For our goats, we use high tensile fencing as our main border fence and section off the interior with panels of electric fence netting. Over the years we have found that a combination of all three options listed above keep even our biggest escapees in place.
Goat fencing is an essential part of keeping your goat herd safe and secure on a hobby farm or family homestead. By choosing the right goat fence for your needs, you can ensure your goat herd is well-protected and escape-proof.
Invest in goat fencing that will fit your herd size and the property where you live. Goat fencing does matter so be sure to choose the best escape proof option for your goats.
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