Movable Goat Fence

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Having an option for relocating your goats to fresh pasture is a great way to raise a healthy herd. Today I will share with you my tips on movable goat fence that will work great for pasture rotation, herd breakup, breeding areas, and more.

I love these goat fence ideas because using movable options allows us to be more in control of your homestead and dairy goat set up.

Goats are notorious escape artists, I know this to be a fact.

My first buck, Toby, loved to break through his pasture fence so he could eat the long green field grass that was just out of reach.

Luckily he was an easy goat to catch, even for a 200 pound Nubian buck.

But stopping what I was doing to go goat wrangling did interrupt my days, so I got to work trying to find a more secure fence for that big guy.

Why do you need to secure fencing for goats?

The importance of having a strong and secure fence to contain goats of any breed or size cannot be understated. Goats are nosy, curious, and want to go where they are not allowed.

Fences play two roles

Fences not only keep your herd in they also keep predators out. Predators do not just mean foxes or stray dogs, they also mean deer that can carry parasites that can be harmful to your goats.

Benefits of movable fencing

Moveable fencing has several benefits for goat owners. First, it allows you to easily adjust the size and shape of your pasture as needed so that you can rotate through more land with fewer fences.

Here are a few more benefits:

1. It allows you to keep your goats on fresh clean pasture reducing worms and parasite issues.
2. It works great when you need to separate out goats for quarantine.
3. It is perfect for breeding, allowing you to set up a pasture that is the best size for the goats that are out.
4. It’s easier to maintain as there are fewer posts to work around.
5. It eliminates the need for a permanent fence line that can be expensive to small farmers.

Luckily there are a few options for movable fencing, so you can find one that will fit your herd size and pasture setup.

How many goats can you have on 1 acre?

A small herd of 6-8 goats will do quite well on an acre of land. If you plan to grow your herd you will want to keep this in mind as you are planning out your grazing pasture.

I learned early on that it is better to go bigger when planning out new areas of a livestock setup. There is nothing more time-consuming than having to go back and add more space.

SLCG Pro Tip: If you have extra room, you can create a rotational grazing plan that will help you to raise the healthiest herd of goats using this natural approach.

What is rotational grazing?

Rotational grazing is a method of managing pasture for your livestock so they are always grazing in fresh and clean areas. It works by moving your animals from one section of land to another to avoid overgrazing.

You can have a permanent fence that encloses the entire pasture and use portable fencing to section the interior off into quadrants.

Every few weeks, move your herd to a new quadrant, giving them access to grazing that has less manure lying around.

Moving a herd and the fence can be a bit overwhelming at first, but once you create a process, it will be easy to incorporate this practice into your monthly herd upkeep.

Read all of our tips on rotational grazing goats so you can setup a routine for your livestock and herd.

Easy-to-move fencing options

Easy to move fencing is a set up that can be taken down and relocated by one or two people in a short amount of time. It is usually lighter weight, making it less of a strain to take down and move to another area.

Easy to set up and/or move is always a top requirement for me because I am a midlife homesteader, and most of the projects I do are done by me alone.

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Types of Moveable Fencing for Goats

There are several types of portable fences that can be used.

• Electric fence netting
• Steel panels
• Polywire
• Welded wire fencing
• Chain link fence if you can find a lightweight option

Let’s take a look at each type in more detail.

Electric Fence Netting

Electric fence netting is the most popular moveable goat fencing option on our list. It is easy to set up, lightweight, durable, and cost-effective.

What is it:

Electric Netting comes in rolls that can be unrolled and set up using the stakes that are woven into the fencing.

Pros of Electric Fencing:

1. It can be set up and moved by just one person, although two is better.
2. It is electrified and works great to keep goats in and other animals out.
3. They can also be set up alone and work great to keep your goats in and other animals out.
4. Can be attached to a High Tensile fence and made hot with a clip.

Cons of Electric Fencing:

1. This type of fencing cannot be kept up in snowy months, but it is easy to take down.
2. To store it, you can fold the fence into sections, roll it up around a PVC pipe, and tie it into place.
3. This option is more expensive than other fence options
4. It requires electricity or a solar box to keep it hot.
5. You will need to incorporate a gate to get access.

Fence Tip:

You can also attach several rolls of netting, allowing you to offer a larger grazing area to your herd.

Final Word:

This is my top pick of fencing for our own herd. We love it so much we have 5 of these fences and use them to house our bucks, for rotational grazing, and sectioning off an area just for our young kids.

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Steel Fence Panels

Panels are another option that are commonly seen on homesteads and are used to house livestock, in gardens, and even to fence in trees in a pasture.

What is it:

Fence panels are made of durable steel and come in rolls or sheets from 3 feet to 5 feet high. They are held in place with steel stakes pounded into the ground. You attached the fence using wire or zip ties.

Pros of Steel Panels:

1. Panels are very sturdy and can withstand the elements year-round, making them a good choice for long-term use.
2. They hold up well to goats that like to stand on them, something that happens more than you might realize.
3. Panels can be put up alone, but I find it is easier with help.

Cons of Steel Panels:

1. They are costly making it a more expensive option.
2. They take work to install, having to pound in stakes with a sledgehammer.
3. You will need to incorporate a gate to get access.

Fence Tip:

They can be manipulated to create great circular pens if you are short on space or to do a V setup for feeding livestock more easily.

Final Word:

If you are looking for a sturdy fence that you can keep outside year round, steel panels are a good option to consider.

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Rolled Polywire

Polywire fencing is another option for movable goat fencing. It is lightweight and can be quickly made for a fast solution.

What is it:

Polywire is electrified wire that is woven into strands. You put stakes into the ground and attached the wire, unrolling and staking as you set up your fence. You will need at least two strands, with many cases calling for three.

Pros of Polywire:

1. It can be set up by one person alone.
2. It is electric so it works great to keep a herd contained.
3. It is affordable.

Const of Polywire:

1. It takes time to set up and tear down if needed.
2. It can take just as long to tear down.
3. It may not hold up well in heavy snow.
4. You will need to incorporate a gate to get access.
5. It requires electricity or a solar box to keep it hot.

Final Word:

This is not my favorite type of fencing because I find it more labor-intensive, but it is one you may want to consider if none of the other options mentioned above will work for your herd.

Can you keep goats without a fence?

Yes, it is possible to keep goats without a fence in certain circumstances. For example, if they are being kept in an enclosed barn or pen with a roof and walls, then no additional fencing would be needed.

However, if the goats are outside and not confined by any structure, then some sort of fencing will be necessary to protect them from predators and prevent them from getting into trouble.

Moveable fencing is a great way to keep your goat herd safe and secure while also giving you the flexibility to move it around as needed.

Yes, there are more fencing options available, but these are my top three picks and, in my opinion, the best options for a portable fence.

No matter which type of fencing you choose for your goat herd, make sure it is secure and suitable for the size and needs of your goats.

Remember the goal with any fence. First, you want to ensure your livestock stays inside, and second, you want to ensure any animals that can harm your livestock are kept out.

With these options, you can incorporate a movable goat fence with your own herd that you can rely on to hold up and do its job effectively.

More Goat Fencing Resources:

• How to Train Goats on Electric Fence
• What is the Best Height for Goat Fencing?
• Goat Fencing Upkeep