multispecies grazing and fencing

[scholtefamily]

We currently have an electric fence around our pastures but would like to put in a fence that would enable us to graze all the animals in the same place. The animals we have are chickens, ducks, ND and pygmy goats, GP dogs and 2 dairy cows. We bought some welded wire fence(2"x4" 12.5 ga). We are thinking of putting that up and then doing a strand of electric a few inches above the top. The fence is 3 ft tall. Do you think that is tall enough. Should we consider getting a taller fence? Or a different fence altogether? What are your experiences? Thanks!

[agmantoo]

To have a dependable and long lasting fence IMO you need the following

Galvanized grade 3 coating on all wire and fasteners

48 inch high 12.5 gauge woven wire such as http://pasturemgmt.com/products.asp?...s&s=Fixed-Knot

High retention treated posts

properly installed and braced materials

A fence done in this matter will last many years and contain your animals without undue concern as to where they are. While keeping the animals in such a fence will reduce the change of predators getting in.

[EasyDay]

I use 2x4 welded wire for my goats, and IMO, the issue isn't if the fence is tall enough... especially with electric around the top. The issue is more... how secure is the bottom? Goats (mine are NDs) lean and rub so hard on the fence, and if they can manage to push it out and get their head under it, the rest of the body follows. (I have one doe that has been seen more than once holding the fence up for the others to escape.)

Some areas, I just wove a stake through the squares and into the ground midway between T-posts to keep the bottom tight. A couple of areas where the ground is really uneven, I had to put a board across the bottom to secure the wire to. If it's a small spot, I just set a big rock in the way.

Our cattle never had any inclination to go anywhere. If they do, there isn't much you can do to stop them. Escapees, if it was habitual, were usually sold/butchered. They set a bad example for the rest of the herd. I'm of the mindset that most animals, if all of their needs are met within their confines, will NOT desire to be someplace else. But, there are always exceptions.

Do your cows get along with the dogs in the same space? Some won't tolerate a canine of any species in their space. Some could care less.

[HilltopDaisy]

I agree w/ Agmantoo, but I would add a strand of hot wire along the top, to keep the bigger animals from trying to lean over the fence, and a strand of hot wire about 18" high along the inside, to prevent the goats from rubbing on the fence, which stretches it all out. I use 6' heavy duty T posts spaced about every 12", and pressure treated posts on the corners. I've divided my 5 acres into several pastures and rotational graze. I have sheep, goats, horses and poultry, and 2 LGD's. I've wasted a lot of money over the years on fencing that didn't last a season (welded wire, temporary net fence, horse rope), wish I'd done it right the first time.....

[EasyDay]

Oh, I don't know... my welded wire has held out for 6 years, and still strong, even with goats rubbing... but they are NDs... wouldn't hold up to larger breeds, probably. Those quick-fixes I mentioned were in the early days when I didn't know goats. No escapees for years, now.

The electric strand to keep them from doing that would be good... I'll consider that if I get any new goats that tear my fence up.
Good advice for OP, for sure!

[scholtefamily]

Thanks for all the great advice!

I think the dogs and cows should be okay together. The dogs stay away from the cows. We are only doing the perimeter with the wire fencing and then inbetween the pastures will be a 3 ft high hot wire, so goats, dogs and poulty will be able to to go the entire area except for the cows which we will continue to rotationally graze.

[fantasymaker]

Whats more important keeping Your animals in or others out? Think 8 feet of horse fence with two hot wires on top and a seperate hotwire a fot up and afoout out on the outside.