Umair Gaines
Keeping goats in an electric fence is a common concern for farmers, ranchers, and homesteaders. Goats have a reputation for easily escaping their pens, but they can be trained to respect electric fences. Electric fences are the cheapest option for containing goats, but they need to be powerful enough to deter the animals. A proper electric fence should be high tensile with tighteners and have at least five to six wires. The wires should be correctly spaced, especially if there are young goats present, as they are more likely to slip out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of wires | 4-6 wires, 8-9 strands for larger areas |
| Wire placement | First wire 5-8" above the ground, top and bottom strands electrified |
| Wire type | High tensile polywire, not mesh/netting |
| Charger | 6-joule low impedance |
| Grounding | Ground wire for max shock, dampen ground near the rod |
| Training | Goat must be trained to respect the fence |
| Training method | Lead goat into the pasture, place feed on the outside of the fence |
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What You'll Learn
Electric moveable netting
Electric netting is a portable, electrifiable fence used to keep goats, sheep, and guard dogs in while keeping out stray dogs and coyotes. It is also useful for long-term grazing on shifting terrain with many curves or corners.
The first step in setting up electric netting is to lay the fencing out in the desired location. Mowing the path the fence will stand on keeps the fencing from grounding out. Once the fence has been laid out and the path mowed, the fence can be stood up.
Goats can be escape artists, so it is important to use more than two strands of electric wire. A goat that has developed a respect for the fence may not attempt an escape, but for a goat new to moveable electric setups, two strands may not be enough to keep them in.
To train goats to respect the fence, take them into the pasture on a lead to prevent them from bolting through the netting when shocked. Place a familiar scoop of feed on the outside of the fence, enticing the goats to come over and try to eat it. Their nose will touch the fence and they will get a shock, which is important because the nose is the most sensitive spot. For the next hour or two, continue to monitor them to ensure they don't get entangled with the fence when not paying attention.
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Fence training
Goats can be trained to respect electric fences, and it doesn't have to be complicated. Electric fences can be effectively used with goats, but some preparatory work is required.
Firstly, it is important to ensure that the electric fence is powerful enough for goats. A 6-joule low impedance charger with metal wire is recommended, as lower-powered chargers may not be effective. It is also important to check the grounding and consider adding a ground wire, which will give the goat a maximum shock if it touches the ground and hot wire simultaneously. Most sources recommend using at least five wires for goats, with the first wire placed 5-8 inches above the ground.
In addition to the electric fence, it is advisable to use wire fencing (welded or woven) to prevent goats from rubbing against or climbing over the fence. This can be set up as a movable electric net fence, which is simple to install when used correctly. First, lay out the fencing in the desired location, mowing the path beforehand to prevent grounding issues. Then, stand the fence up, pushing the built-in step-in posts into the ground. A rubber mallet can be useful for more stubborn spots, and extra fence posts can be used to create corners.
To train the goats to respect the electric fence, take them into the pasture on a lead and place their familiar feed scoop just outside the fence. As the goats try to reach the food, their noses will touch the fence and they will receive a shock. This is important because the nose is the most sensitive part of their body, and they are more likely to associate the shock with the fence. After one or two shocks, the goats will generally stay away from the fence.
It is recommended to repeat this fence training process each spring, especially for older goats.
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Spacing wires correctly
To keep goats inside an electric fence, it is important to space the wires correctly. Most sources recommend using at least four to six wires, with the first wire placed 5 to 8 inches above the ground. This ensures that the goats cannot slip out underneath the fence.
One source suggests using eight strands of wire, with the top and bottom strands electrified, along with one or two strands near the middle. This provides a strong physical barrier, and the additional height makes it more difficult for goats to jump over.
When using multiple wires, it is not necessary to electrify all of them. Electrifying the top and bottom strands, along with a few strands near the middle, can effectively contain goats while reducing the overall charge required.
In addition to the number and placement of wires, the type of wire used is also important. High-tensile wire with tighteners is recommended to create a strong and secure fence.
It is also worth noting that young goat kids are particularly adept at slipping through small spaces, so extra care should be taken to ensure that the wire spacing is appropriate and that there are no gaps large enough for them to squeeze through.
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Using powerful enough energizers
Electric fencing is the cheapest option for containing goats. However, it is important to note that goats need to be trained to respect the fence and stay within its boundaries.
Goats have a reputation for being escape artists and can easily get out of fences or pens. They can be trained to respect electric fences, but it requires some initial work. One of the most important factors in keeping goats contained is ensuring they respect the fence.
Goats require a powerful enough electric fence to deter them from crossing it. Some energizers may not be potent enough for goats. For instance, a 0.5-joule charger and polywire were insufficient to keep goats from crossing, but a 6-joule low-impedance charger and metal wire effectively deterred them. It is recommended to use at least a 1-joule box, and for smaller and more tenacious goats, you may need to electrify additional wires.
The number of wires in the fence is also crucial. Most sources recommend using 4–6 wires, with the first wire placed 5–8 inches above the ground. Additionally, you can use a combination of electrified and non-electrified wires to create a physical barrier that requires less charge.
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Dampening the ground near the rod
To ensure your electric fence is sufficiently grounded, you can try the following techniques to dampen the ground near the rod:
First, assess the soil type. If the soil is dry, sandy, or rocky, it will impede the flow of electrons to the ground rod and diminish the pulse strength. In such cases, you can improve grounding by adding more rods in a series or opting for longer ground rods. The recommended length is 3 feet of ground rod per joule of energy output.
Second, when installing the ground rods, pour water into the entry point to improve ease of installation and increase the moisture content of the soil.
Third, once the rods are installed, you can further boost the pulse strength by slowly trickling water onto the ground around the rods. To do this, take a 5-gallon bucket, add a pinhole to the bottom, and fill it with water. Place the bucket near the ground rod so that the water slowly soaks the ground, increasing conductivity and enhancing pulse strength.
Additionally, ensure that you follow the recommended spacing for your ground rods. The first grounding rod should be placed within 20 feet of the fence energizer, and any additional rods should be spaced 10 feet apart.
By following these steps, you can effectively dampen the ground near the rod and ensure your electric fence has sufficient grounding to keep goats contained.
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Frequently asked questions
Electric moveable netting is a great option for fencing in goats. First, lay the fencing out in the place it will go and mow the path the fence will stand in to keep the fencing from grounding out. Then, stand the fence up and push the posts into the ground. You can use a rubber mallet for extra force.
Take your goats into the pasture on a lead and allow them to free-range. Place a familiar scoop of feed on the outside of the fence. The goats will come over and try to get the feed, touching the fence and receiving a shock to their nose—the most sensitive spot. After one or two shocks, the goats will stay away from the fence.
You need to make a proper electric fence with high tensile and tighteners. You should also use at least 5-6 wires. The first wire should be placed 5-8" above the ground. You can also use a combination of electric and wire fencing.
