What Fencing Is Needed to Raise Goats?

Goats are one of the oldest and most common livestock species worldwide. Humans have kept herds of goats for thousands of years, using them for their milk, meat, skins and hair. Within the last 100 years, goats have also become popular as pets, increasing the demand for goat-safe housing and fencing. Goats are industrious creatures and will easily escape standard fencing, so constructing a goat-safe fence before moving them to your property is a must.

Things You'll Need

  • Woven wire
  • 8-foot T-posts
  • Gate
  • Fence connectors
  • Fence puller
  • Sledgehammer
  • Tape measure
  • Pliers
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Instructions

  1. Instructions

    • 1

      Determine how much space you will need for your goats. Six to 10 goats per acre is acceptable for a herd that will exclusively graze. If you plan on supplementing your goats with hay or grain, you can increase that number to up to 15 without worrying about overgrazing.

    • 2

      Measure out your fence line. Walk the entire length of the area you wish to fence, measuring each section with your tape measure to get an accurate representation of how much fencing you will need. Make sure the area within your goat pen is free of any poisonous plants such as avocado or choke cherry trees.

    • 3

      Place your T-posts at 10-foot intervals along your fence line. Hold each post firmly and drive them all at least two feet into the ground to keep your fence secure and prevent shifting and bending. Building your fence in the spring or summer after the ground has thawed will be much easier than trying to do it in the winter, so plan the purchase of your goats accordingly.

    • 4

      Lay your wire fencing out along the perimeter of your T-posts, unrolling it as you go. Hold your fencing upright against the first post, securing it to the post at the top, middle and bottom with fence connectors. Use your pliers to tighten the connectors firmly to keep your fence from sliding down in case your goats climb on it.

    • 5

      Move on to your next post, using your fence puller to keep the fencing tight. Pull any slack out of the fence before attaching your connectors. The fence puller is an important tool because it allows you to pull the fence tighter than you could with your hands, and it makes the fence taut and even between your posts.

    • 6

      Continue stretching and securing each section of your fence until you reach the last post, leaving a gap between posts for your gate. Cut off any excess fencing with the pliers and make sure that there are no sharp edges that will stick out and injure your goats.

    • 7

      Set your gate between your posts, securing the back side of your gate firmly to the first post. Make sure the gate is centered between your posts and that it swings open easily. If you are worried about your goats escaping, you can attach a section of your leftover fencing along the outside of your gate.

    • 8

      Release your goats into your pen and observe them for a few minutes to make sure they cannot escape. You can spread out a flake or two of hay and a small bucketful of grain to entice them to explore the pen. They should settle right in and begin to graze, thoroughly enjoying their new, safely fenced enclosure.