PLEASE help me with fencing!

[Shootingstars]

I have used the search button several times and researched on the internet a ton but I am so confused when it comes to fencing. I want to scream!

Our Nigerian goats are in a 10 x 30 pen which is not adequate since I have added two more goats. This area that I am trying to figure out fencing for is for the does and their will be kids. The one side is completely fenced and so I will need to fence one side and end and this is where the confusion begins.

Woven wire, welded wire, animal panels, field fencing, it is all too much for me to comprehend. I know I can't afford the goat and sheep fencing. I was looking at welded wire and they gentlemen assured me that could be fine, but it sure is flimsy. However, the holes are 2" by 4" which is the size I need. The woven wire is nice and in my price range being $150 for 330' that is 48" tall but the holes are 6 x 8 which I am assuming is too big for kids. Then there is field fencing which is $136 for 48' by 330' with the holes gradually getting bigger as it gets taller. The biggest holes being 6" by 8" at top and 2" by 8" at bottom.

The area will be 35' by 300'. Is that ample for three Nigis does? Why is this so complicated or am I making it that way?

 

[cmjust0]

If your ground is flat -- like, no dips, humps, hills, etc -- then the welded wire will be ok. Biggest drawback of welded wire is that it won't contour to the ground like woven wire...if you want to demonstrate what I mean, stand a piece of printer paper up like a fence and try to contour it into a dip. Watch the top bow in and out.. Welded wire does the same thing, but on a MUCH LARGER AND HEAVIER SCALE.. It can be very annoying.

Of the options you laid out, I'd probably go w/ the $136 field fence.. I'm assuming it's woven wire, correct?...not welded? The 2"x8" stays ("stays" = holes, in fence talk) at the bottom, graduating to the 6"x8" stays at the top should keep your goats in..

And even if they manage to slip through it somehow, a strand or two of electric offset to the inside'll cure that..

Personally, I'd just go with all electric. That's just because I happen to like electric fence a lot, though..

 

[glenolam]

You're making it that way

No, seriously, there is a ton of info out there about what you can use.

We bought field fencing (not goat fencing, too expensive for us) and it worked for about two days.

Our little kid who was 2 months old found every openining in the bottom of the fence and since he would find his way under, mom would freak out and find her way over.

I spent about two weeks using garden fencing (the rubber green kind) and blocking up every hole I could find.

Then mom just kept jumping over.

So I buckled down and bought me a nice electric charger for $100, high tensile wire for about $40, and all the fixins like grounding rods/wire, insulators and such for about another $100 and put two strands of electric up, one about 4-6" off the ground and the other 4' high.

Solved that problem!

I would highly recommend you do the same, but try out the plain old field fencing first and put the posts closer together to make sure it's sturdy.

Good luck!

 

[Shootingstars]

Thank you, I think the problem is that is a ton of options and opinions on the internet and it makes it hard to pick the right fence the first time on a limited budget.

I have decided to go with the field fencing, making sure that it is tight and the fence is on the goat side on the posts.

What distance between t-posts do you recommend?

 

[CindyS]

If you want to go with the welded wire, which is what I have, make sure its at least 4' high and get the 12 gauge stuff. 14 and 16 are way too flimsy. I like it because they can not stick their heads through the 2x4 holes and push to try to reach something greener on the other side.

 

[Shootingstars]

If you want to go with the welded wire, which is what I have, make sure its at least 4' high and get the 12 gauge stuff. 14 and 16 are way too flimsy. I like it because they can not stick their heads through the 2x4 holes and push to try to reach something greener on the other side.

Cindy, what kind of goats do you have? That would be a much cheaper option if it would work and that way I could buy more fence.

 

[Shootingstars]

If you want to go with the welded wire, which is what I have, make sure its at least 4' high and get the 12 gauge stuff. 14 and 16 are way too flimsy. I like it because they can not stick their heads through the 2x4 holes and push to try to reach something greener on the other side.

Cindy, what kind of goats do you have? That would be a much cheaper option if it would work and that way I could buy more fence.

Forget what I said about being cheaper, the 12 gauge welded wire here is $425 per 100' roll. Good grief!

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

nah you arent making it complicated.. its complicated b/c everyone has a different way that it works for THEM. and thats why you are getting to many different opinions.

we use woven wire with some electric - its the only thing that works for us. we have one or two (depending on where in the fenceline) hot wires on the inside of the woven wire.

no it wont hurt your goats and no you'll never regret it. unless you are a doofus and go out there and bump into it with a metal flashlight. dont ask me how i know this
;-)

you'll be just fine, honey. it might take a couple tries to get it right for you.

 

[ksalvagno]

We used Red Brand horse woven wire fencing. It is 4' tall, woven wire and the 2x4 holes. We have Nigerian goats and alpacas and have had no problems.

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

We also have Nigerian Dwarfs, and used 4' high, 2" x 4" woven wire plus added two strands of electric (one on top, one near the bottom) on the outside. The woven wire on the inside is working well to keep the girls in, the electric on the outside is to keep coyotes (or whatever else) out.

With ND's I'd be afraid to go with anything larger than 2"x4" spacing in the fence if you're planning on having babies. They are very creative about trying to get out!