electric net pen

[angelavl]

Hi there,
Today is a big day for our little guys (2 dwarf nigerians wethers - actually the youngest will be a wether in a couple of weeks). We got our electric net set-up in the mail yesterday and are going to create a new little section for them to do their work. I think we will probably just put them out there for a few hours a day and then back to their pen. I imagine it will be a nice change of scenery for them to moved around to different parts of the property. Their electric netting pen is 100 ft in perimeter. So, not a huge area.

Any suggestions and/or cautions for us to take into consideration? I was thinking we should put collars and tags on them when they are in their electric net pen, just in case... We will probably have to hang out in there with them at first so that they feel comfortable. Good thing I have my 9 and 11 year old goat herders to help out with the mundane tasks.

 

[sawfish99]

How did it go?

 

[angelavl]

Well... it was hard. They both got a couple of shocks, and I hated to see them look so betrayed. I tried to make it clear that they should stay in the center (making noise and trying to redirect them), where the tasty brambles are, but they were curious about the fence. Also, it didn't help that my (human) kids were running around in the yard; I think the goats wanted to join in the fun. So, I think we will keep trying but maybe on days when they are more interested in eating than playing.

I reminded my husband that we had to train our dogs on the invisible fence and we have to think of it in the same way.

I personally grabbed the fence to see how bad it hurt, and it's not that bad. A lot less powerful than our invisible fence for the dogs. However, the goats were QUITE vocal.

If anyone has any training experience, I'd love to hear it. -Angela

 

[bonbean01]

Firstly...congratulations on your goats!!!! Secondly...with electric fencing, I do not think there is any way to teach them to not touch it except by getting zapped a few times and they learn quickly. When our lambs are out with electic fencing for the first week or so...we watch carefully to be sure that when they do get zapped that they just jump and run away and are on the ready to turn it off if anything else happened.

Never had any problem after they had all had a zap or two...they learn quickly and remember. I also feel badly when they get zapped, but not only does it keep them in, should a roaming dog come along, I know the zap will work to keep them out. Our own dogs have been zapped by just their tails wagging too close and they don't seem to learn as well as the sheep...LOLOL!

 

[sawfish99]

They have to get zapped to learn, otherwise it won't stop them. Electric (including netting) is a mental barrier, not a physical barrier. You want them to get zapped hard enough that they remember it hurts. If it doesn't hurt, they won't stop when they see something fun/tasty/interesting on the other side.

 

[secuono]

Take your shoes and socks off, then touch the fence. It will hurt like all heck!
Your shoes are protecting you from grounding and being shocked fully.

I agree, they need to touch it to learn not to go through it.

 

[angelavl]

Good point about my shoes! I was also cringing b/c they inevitably touch it with their noses. ouch.

 

[Royd Wood]

Take your shoes and socks off, then touch the fence. It will hurt like all heck!

Just dont do that if you stop off at my place

 

[ksj0225]

Um wait to the kids go inside before you take your shoes off and touch the fence... You might say a curse word....

LOL

At least my husband did!!!