How to Build a Portable Electric Fence for Goats

Goats are one of the oldest species of domesticated livestock. For hundreds of years, farmers have raised them for their meat, milk and hides. People often keep small goat herds as pets and weed control, moving them from place to place on their property to mow down vegetation. Erecting a portable electric fence is a simple and convenient way to contain a goat herd.

Things You'll Need

  • Measuring tape
  • Marker flags
  • 6-foot tall electric fence posts
  • Rubber mallet
  • Screw-on fence insulators
  • Flat electric fence tape
  • Sharp scissors
  • Electric fence battery box
  • Copper wire
  • Wire fence tester
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure your fence line and place a marker flag every four feet to outline your temporary enclosure. The marker flags indicate the placement of your fence posts.

    • 2

      Drive an electric fence post into the ground over each marker flag. Most electric fence posts are made of fiberglass. You can easily hammer them into the ground with a small rubber mallet. Drive down the posts 24 inches to prevent the goats from pulling them out.

    • 3

      Screw a fence insulator onto the top, middle and bottom of each fence post. Goats are smaller than other livestock and require a three-strand fence to keep them safely contained.

    • 4

      Run a strand of flat electrical fence tape along the inside of the fence posts, sliding them through the small retaining slips on the inside of the insulators. Cut the tape with a pair of sharp scissors when you reach the end of the fence line. Goats have poor eyesight, and flat electric fence tape is easier for them to see than rolled fence wire.

    • 5

      Attach the battery box to the outside of one of the fence posts, and wrap three lengths of copper wire around the charging post on the box. Run one piece of wire to each of the three rows of fence tape, wrapping the wire around the tape to charge the fence.

    • 6

      Turn the battery box on and test the tape in a number of places along the fence to make sure the fence is working. If the fence tester does not show a charge, turn the power on the battery box up until you get a strong reading.