Читать книгу Raising Goats For Dummies - Cheryl K. Smith - Страница 93

If you need to put in new fencing or replace fencing, you have a variety of fencing types to choose from. The most common types of fencing that people use for goats include:

 Field fencing: Field fencing, also called woven wire, attached to metal T-posts is probably the most common type of fencing for goats. It is moderately expensive and is sturdy if installed properly. A four-foot-high field fence will keep miniature goats in but isn’t high enough for a determined goat that is bigger. A strand of electric wire along the top and 10 inches off the ground usually keeps all goats in. I recommend field fencing. One downside is that it is hard to use in hilly areas.

 Cattle or hog panels: Galvanized cattle panel with graduated spacing (smaller to larger from the bottom) makes excellent fences for goats. The panels are 50 inches high — tall enough to keep most goats in (I say “almost,” because I had a Nigerian Dwarf buck with only three good legs climb one to get to does in heat). You can add a strand or two of electric wire along the top for larger goats. To keep in miniature goat kids you may need to reinforce with chicken wire or woven wire along the bottom.This fencing is easy to install; you can attach each panel to T-posts set 4 feet apart. The disadvantages are that the panels are very expensive, hard to work with on hills, and hard to transport because they come in 16-foot lengths and are heavy. If you can overcome these obstacles, I highly recommend using cattle panels for fencing.

 Electric wire: Electric wire is an excellent addition to any of the other types of fencing. The wire and insulators are inexpensive; the biggest cost is the charger and ground rod. A strand along the top helps keep predators out and goats and livestock guardian dogs in. A friend of mine uses three strands of electric wire about a foot off the ground with temporary posts in areas where goat escape isn’t a disaster. The advantage is that it can be moved if you want goats to browse different areas. The disadvantage is that some goats can walk right through it with seemingly no effect. (Or they get out and then are too scared to get back in.) You must train your goats to the fence prior to using it this way. You can do this by setting it up inside a fenced area and then watching them while they test it out. Normally they learn after only two shocks. Use a 4,000-volt charger for goat fencing. If your fencing isn’t near a power source, get a solar charger. Place the grounding rod in a location that is as dry as possible. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for grounding and charger placement.If you want the best electric fence, ideal for keeping coyotes out, you can invest in high-tensile electric fencing, also known as New Zealand fencing. It combines woven wire and electric in one fence, with alternating wires electric. It is more expensive than standard electric wire.

Avoid using barbed wire or wood fences for goats. Barbed wire fencing is less expensive than woven wire or cattle panels, but goats can get injured by the barbs. Wood fences, such as the white ones used for horses, are very expensive, don’t last as long, and are inadequate for goat kids, who can get out between the boards.