Pen Size

[ArtisticFarmer]

What is the minimum size pen for two Alpine does? I have plenty of space, but with the price of wire around here, I can only make it so big. What is the minimum? Depending on the size I will make it bigger then that, of course. Just wondering for a starting point.

 

[elevan]

At least an acre....a half acre would be pushing it. The more room you can give the happier and healthier they will be.

You can always expand the space over time though.

 

[ArtisticFarmer]

Thank you. I'll plan on making it about an acre big for now.

 

[ArtisticFarmer]

How many feet in an acre? I just measured where I was thinking the pen can be and it is ~95'x50'= 4732 feet. Also, what type of pasture do goats prefer? I have wooded area, long grass, and regular yard grass.

 

[cjhubbs]

Currently, our goat pen is both in a more "grassy area" and goes back into the woods. Most of the time the goats are out back in the woods unless they are going to or from their barn, there is snow on the ground or there are "those human things" in the pen . Goats are browsers, so for the most part they prefer to be in the woods. Not to mention that Alpines are a Swiss Breed which means they are better suited for cooler weather then hot, meaning that they enjoy shade. I also have read that goats that are kept on open pasture in say a field are more prone to getting worms then those kept in a wooded area. That area sounds plenty large enough for two Alpines, as long as you feed them hay.

 

[cjhubbs]

...

 

[ArtisticFarmer]

Currently, our goat pen is both in a more "grassy area" and goes back into the woods. Most of the time the goats are out back in the woods unless they are going to or from their barn, there is snow on the ground or there are "those human things" in the pen . Goats are browsers, so for the most part they prefer to be in the woods. Not to mention that Alpines are a Swiss Breed which means they are better suited for cooler weather then hot, meaning that they enjoy shade. I also have read that goats that are kept on open pasture in say a field are more prone to getting worms then those kept in a wooded area. That area sounds plenty large enough for two Alpines, as long as you feed them hay.

Well then, my goats are going to be happy, because if I make it in a wooded area, their pen will almost double in size. (About 95 by 100, possibly.) Fencing was my biggest worry I think, but I've pretty much got that covered now. Goats, here I come!

 

[ArtisticFarmer]

How far apart do I put the posts?

 

[SheepGirl]

An acre is 43560 sq ft. If you plan on feeding hay to your goats and essentially keep them on a dry lot, then their pen can be as small as 60 sq ft for two goats. If you want them to get most of their diet themselves, then they will need 2/5 of an acre at least.

And most posts can be spaced 8 ft a part...however post spacings depend on type of fencing, terrain, direction of the fence, etc.

 

[ArtisticFarmer]

An acre is 43560 sq ft. If you plan on feeding hay to your goats and essentially keep them on a dry lot, then their pen can be as small as 60 sq ft for two goats. If you want them to get most of their diet themselves, then they will need 2/5 of an acre at least.

And most posts can be spaced 8 ft a part...however post spacings depend on type of fencing, terrain, direction of the fence, etc.

Fencing will be electric. What do you mean by direction of fence?