1)
There are many different types of fencing at a great variance in
initial cost. The selection of a specific type for a certain size or
sex of dairy goat, can be very important.
2)
For large pasture areas in which the mature milking herd resides,
the less expensive 48" high sheep and cattle fencing ++++MISSING
DATA++++
3) Stock Panels
Another very durable fence in areas of high stress or to confine
strong bucks is the stock (or hog) panels. They come in 52 inch
heights, 16 feet long, with the horizontal stay rods 3 inches apart at
the top. The vertical rods are 6 inches apart. These panels are more
costly but they will outlast all fencing.
4) Picket Fence
There are other types of fencing on the market. The following, may
be less suitable: The single or double picket lawn fence is a
heavy-duty fence that withstands weather (rusting out, etc.) for a
greater number of years than the sheep and cattle fence; but the
staywires on it are not as tight and goats soon learn that they can
play with the fence and get it to slip, eventually making holes in it
that they can simply walk through.
5) Snow Fence
The wooden picket (snow) fence, although probably the cheapest in
cost, should not be used unless for a temporary situation. Dairy goats
eat right through it in a matter of a few months.
6) Welded Fence
The one-inch by two-inch spot-welded fence has a tendency to loosen
at the spot welds quite fast and therefore is not recommended.
7) Electric Fence
The electric fence with the use of one or more strands of
electrified wire has been used successfully by some dairy goat breeders,
but each animal must be introduced to the shock.
8)
Although this fencing may work to confine the introduced dairy
goats, protection against stray predators and dogs may be minimal.
Fencing serves two purposes, first, to keep dairy goats where you want
them and, second, to protect them from predators.
9)
Four strands of electric fence, the second from the bottom
preferable being a barbed wire, seems most effective. The bottom wire
should be about six inches off the ground, just high enough to clear
the power lawn mower under the fence. Tall grasses must be cut to
prevent shortening-out of the electric fence. An average charge unit is
usually best, but it must be well grounded in moist ground six to eight
feet deep. Barbed wire can be used as goat fence if many strands not
too far apart (6-10 inches) are used, very tightly strung on 6 feet
high posts. However, if there is attractive pasture on the other side
of the fence and the goats especially kids are hungry, then they will
squeeze through, especially under the bottom wire.
10) Turkey Wire
Just plain turkey wire makes good fence but again it must be tight
and the posts no more than 10 feet apart.
11)
The best fence from an animal behavior standpoint can be found e.g.
at Laurelwood Acres in California. It consists of vertical pipes with
horizontal and bottom pipes, posts and bottom edge in concrete.
Certainly not cheap but very effective for dry-lot operations, long
lasting, easy to maintain, and easy to run the herd back and forth to
the milking parlor. In the absence of horizontal strands, goats have
nothing to climb on.
12)
When installing fencing, it is necessary to brace the corner posts
either by wires to stays on the outside or by posts placed diagonally on
the inside, or embedding the corner post in enough concrete to keep it
from moving as the result of the tension of the wire.
13) Gates
Gates can be varied in size. Large aluminum or steel gates are good
to use in areas where a vehicle such as a truck or tractor needs to
pass through. Smaller gates can be chainlink or woven wire. In areas
where there is snow in the winter, those smaller gates should be raised
off the ground almost a foot to insure use while snow is on the
ground.
14)
Locking gates around goats, especially metal, can be a problem.
They are intelligent and can figure out how to get out fast. The goats
will push and work at a gate, trying to get out, if they can start the
smallest of cracks. It is important that the gate be closed tightly and
securely. Two successful locks are: a nylon snapline with a brass
weather-resistant snap to fasten; the other is a nylon collar (goats
will chew through leather collars) buckled tightly with the strap placed
under the extra ring on the collar. By using these, the gate can be
drawn tight preventing play that leads to caught heads. Kids
especially, like to get their heads caught. The properly fastened gate
is double-fastened with the top one as high as you can put it.
15) Portable Fence
Lastly, there is a type of portable fencing that comes in handy
when one needs a pen in a hurry - to isolate an animal or for a
temporary gate, or as a separator inside the truck when hauling kids
and bucks. This is a product sold by Sears and is available in
sections 44 inches high by about 42 inches in width and is connected by
rods so that one can make up whatever size pen is needed. The fencing
is sold for use as portable pens for young children to play in and can
be folded accordianstyle to store and also used as a separator or hay
rack when going to a show.
