Fence goes up this weekend - how big????

Wannabee · #1 04/26/06, 08:45 PM

Ok, we sold our camper! That means I had some money, and my wife decided we should get a goat locally. I have an Alpine milker and a wether onthe way! I am just trying to get all of my ducks in a row before they get here....

How much fenced-in space should we plan on for each goat? With only 2 goats, how big is too big, how much is too small, and what is just right?

1000 sq ft/goat? 500? 1500?

How much room do Alpines need?

Thanks!

**mygoat** · #2 04/26/06, 09:30 PM

No such thing as too big. The bigger the better. There is such thing as too small. If I were you I would estimate how much you can afford to fence in, and make TWO pastures out of that area so you can switch them back and forth between the two pastures. It's healthier and gives them more grazing that way. Good luck!!

Wannabee · #3 04/27/06, 05:58 AM

Thanks, Dona.

The pasture that we will have will be too small to call a pasture I'm afraid. I will be feeding them alfalfa and grain, so they won't need to graze except to satify their nature, but I'm just trying to figure out how small is too small I guess.

Right now I am planning on .5 acre for the two goats. Is that enough?

The other thought I had was to get 9 '16 combo panels - it would be a sturdier fence, but tying it in with the side of the barn would give us 1792 sq feet for the 2 goats. Do you think that is enough if we are feeding them alfalfa??

homebirtha · #4 04/27/06, 10:14 AM

It's not great. The more you can fence in, the better. Can they survive on such a small pasture? yes. Is it the best thing for them? no. Woven wire will be fine for fencing, especially if it means you can make the pasture bigger. Keeping them in such a small area, you'll have to be extra vigilent on parasites/worm loads.

Farmer Chud · #5 04/27/06, 11:53 AM

I am currently working on "Fence Version 4.0". Everytime I think I have a secure goat pen fence, the girls manage to figure out another escape. It is a learn as you go process so just have fun with it. We now know the animal control officer for our parish on a first name basis.

Cheers,

Jim

Freeholder · #6 04/27/06, 12:22 PM

Half an acre is great! I wish I had that much land to spare, and I have six adult goats!

The minimum they absolutely need is about 24 sq. ft. per goat. Obviously that is just a pen, no grazing. The more you can give them above that, the better.

And, if you have decent weather (adequate precipitation to keep things growing, and neither too much heat nor too much cold) half an acre of pasture should be able to feed more than two goats. It just depends on where you live -- some climates are so dry that you'd need a couple of acres per goat.

Kathleen

Freeholder · #7 04/27/06, 12:24 PM

Adding, combo panels are the best goat fencing I've found. Just use a post in the middle of each panel as well as at the ends, and fasten them securely to the posts. Goats like to stand on the fencing, and even the combo panels bow after a while, if there's no support in the middle of the panel. And their constant standing and rubbing and pushing on the fence eventually will wear out whatever fastener you used -- I used electric fence wire, and have had to replace most of it at least once already, after only two years.

Kathleen

Jcran · #8 04/27/06, 12:48 PM

On goats I know one thing about
A thing that they sure like to flout
Whether panels or wire
3 foot 6 or much higher
Some sure can find ways to get out!

Written after crawling around our fenceline after work last night trying to find where in tarnation our kids were escaping from...I am renaming them after famous escape artists this year!!!!!GRRRRRRRRRR

Freeholder · #9 04/27/06, 01:07 PM

LOL! Goat kids can go through holes too small to believe! My Kinder kids can usually go through the combo panels until they are several months old! The only solution to that is to add some chicken wire to the combo panels, or better yet, something sturdier than chicken wire (which the goats will probably have torn down in weeks). I'm afraid that when it comes to goats, you need the security of Fort Knox!

Check the gaps between gates and gate posts, any little gaps under the panels, and if you have time, sit and watch for a while. The little darlings have no subterfuge, and will pop out whether you are watching or not -- then you'll know where your holes are.

Kathleen

**mygoat** · #10 04/27/06, 02:06 PM

Ok, As for feeding them if they are going to be in such a small pasture make sure they have hay availible 24/7. Then you could probably cut out the grain altogeather except for when the doe is pregnant, nursing, or being milked.

rainedaze · #11 04/27/06, 09:01 PM

We decided to try going a little cheaper and buying the less expensive welded wire. DO NOT DO THAT!!! Pay a little more right away. My husband spent a day off work trying to fix holes that our boer goats have pushed in and they went behind him and did some again. Learn from our mistakes. We are now going with electric wire. Good luck with your goats.
Heather

Freeholder · #12 04/27/06, 09:31 PM

Electric fence is good for large pastures (and more economical) but for a paddock or small pen, I don't think you'll be happy with it.

Kathleen