Electric Fence; Not for goats and sheep?

[NachoFarm]

We're getting set up to put up a new fence in a couple weeks and we currently have two goats and we're getting sheep at the end of June.

The guy at the local co-op strongly suggested that we go with 4x4 page wire as opposed to any of the electric fence options. This of course is going to bust our budget big time and although we want to do it right the first time, we were hoping to find some sort of middle ground price wise.

He says we'll have a really hard time keeping goats and sheep behind a five-strand electric fence because of grounding issues and that they'll constantly test the fence. Has anyone had success keeping goats and/or sheep contained with electric? Any issues? Any advice? Etc, etc...

My husband's brain is about to explode from crunching the numbers for the page wire.

 

[Goatherd]

The guy at the co-op speaks the truth. You might have luck and have the exception to the rule, but goats and sheep do best behind woven wire fence along with two or more hot wires inside the woven fence.

Not only will it keep your sheep and goats in, it will also offer them more protection from predators.

Yes, you will find those that have had success with using only hot wire to confine them, but that is not the norm.

I agree with you that the cost is significantly increased, but since you want to do it right and hopefully only one time, woven fencing is the way to go.

 

[NachoFarm]

Ugh.

Alright. Any particulars about a woven wire fence that will help keep costs down with sacrificing the quality of the fence?

Such as the size and/or spacing of the posts?

 

[Goatherd]

I'm not the best one to answer your question regarding reducing cost as I didn't put my own fence it but had it done by an actual fence installer.

There are various qualities of woven fence and you have choices of wooden or metal T-posts to anchor the fence. Size and types of gates are also to be considered. If you're going to do the installation yourself, you will significantly reduce your costs.

I wish I could be of more help, but hopefully someone who has done their own fencing will be along to give you their advice. Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[NachoFarm]

That's alright. I think I'm still hoping someone will chime in with a magical story about effective electric fencing for goats! Seriously.

We're talking about doing 4" cedars 18' apart with 3" cedars every 3' in between. Almost $800 on posts alone! Electric is so tempting because the posts can be so much further apart.

 

[boykin2010]

I use a 5 strand electric fence for sheep and they have never gotten out before. They respect it and never even test it. Sometimes, I forget to plug it back in for a few days and they dont notice. I do not own goats so I cannot tell you anything about how they would react to it. My neighbor has goats and I dont think 5 strand electric wire would keep them in. I would not try it with goats since people say they seem more mischievous but if you can fence one part for the sheep, electric works great! The other part I would use woven wire for the goats. I have a friend who has sheep and she uses 3 strand electric wire for sheep and has no problem...

 

[redtailgal]

My goats are behind a four strand electric fence, and have never gotten out nor tested it to my knowledge. To tell the truth, we have to weed eat or spray around our fence line because our goats wont go near the fence........we recently added new pasture and took down a section to allow them into the new area. For two days they wouldnt cross where the fence USED TO BE, we had to drive them over the line.

My breeder keeps her herd of 40 boers behind the same type of four strand fence as I use, and does not have a problem either.

Build a solid electric fence, with a good charger that will make a believer out of them, and you'll be fine.

 

[NachoFarm]

Ok...hmm, we bought a Gallagher Power Plus M150 which is 1.5 joules? We need one regardless to run our divider fences in the pasture. Is that big enough?

 

[DonnaBelle]

We keep our goats, 20 Nubian does in one pasture, 3 Nubian bucks in another. Right next to each other.

We use heavy duty wire, 3 strands. 7,000 volts coursing through.

It is a lot cheaper than hard fence, and is also very easy to move.

We use electric poultry wire from Premier fence for the chickens, never lost a chicken, wings are not clipped.

We have a friend that uses one wire of electric to contain his cattle. No problems.

We have 380 acres, the perimeter of the ranch is hard fenced with barb wire. Interior fencing is electric.

DonnaBelle

 

[redtailgal]

Ok...hmm, we bought a Gallagher Power Plus M150 which is 1.5 joules? We need one regardless to run our divider fences in the pasture. Is that big enough?

I think it would be fine.