Electric fencing?

[Cashs Cowgirl]

I am looking to purchase some electric fencing and a charger to make a 2nd paddock for my 2 sheep and 1 goat (approx 75 ft x 75 ft, plus I want to run a wire or two all around the bottom of the other paddock that is livestock fenced to keep my Houdini goat away from it!). I want something that won't cost me a fortune but will be able to shock through weeds. I don't think I want a solar charger although we get tons of sun here, but they are more expensive than a battery one. I have no electricity run to my run-in sheds, so can't have one that pugs in. Is wire better, netting, electric tape? There are so many battery chargers, that I don't know which is better...

Anyone have any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

I'm cross-posting this on both the sheep and goat forum....

[Cashs Cowgirl]

Anyone?

[ozark_jewels]

I use electric fence, but my charger needs a plug in. I don't know anything about battery-powered chargers. I use the Taylor Fence Brute 8, bought from Grassland Supply of the Ozarks. I looked and Taylor also makes battery powered chargers. I LOVE my Taylor charger, so I assume that the batter powered would be good as well. Might check it out, heres the link.
http://www.grasslandsupply.com/products.cfm?subCatID=1

[Rowdy]

I do not have any hands on knowledge of the battery powered chargers. A friend has one, and he loves it though.

Personally, I like wire over everything else. Main reason, is that wire is cheaper for me to buy, and harder for me to tear up. Wire is easy to put up, even for one person too. I like 14ga wire and bigger, but my newest paddock (about an acre) is 17ga wire, and holds my goats fine. 17 ga wire is very cheap(about $20 for half a mile), and really easy to work with. (14ga is about $35 for half a mile.)

If your goats have never been behind electric fencing, the key to keeping them inside to to build a fairly small pen to teach them in. This pen should be fairly stout, since some goats will be stubborn about it at first. Make sure each goat gets a good, solid shock a couple of times.

I do not know how much you know about electric fencing, so here are just a few hints from the top of my head:

Buy a voltage tester made for the high voltages of electric fencing, and use it. If you are wearing rubber sole shoes, the shock you feel will not be a good test. I can grab any hot wire on my fence wearing boots, and my fence is putting out over 6500 volts. Now, if a grab a hot wire, and brush a ground wire, that body part goes numb!

If you are using a mulit wire electric fence (and with goats you will be) make sure you have the spacing between the wires close enough. Leave too big of a space and a goat will be tempted to go through the fence... not good.
Personally, I use six wires for must of my pens like this

-----hot------
12inches
-----ground----
10inches
----hot-----
8inches
----ground---
6 inches
----hot---
6 inches
-----hot-----
6 inches
_______earth______

That is just a rough guide, my bottom wires might be a little higher sometimes, with the space a little smaller at the top, but it gives me a four foot tall fence that the goats respect. With goats trained to the wire, one might be able to use fewer wires, but I'd rather feel better with that extra wire or two.

Anyway, just a few thoughts, other people with have really good ideas I bet.

[goatedintoit]

My electric fence is by Gallagher. The wire is 12 gauge hi-tensile. This will burn the weeds so there's no trimming necessary. Gallagher was great to me. Their rep came out and showed me everything necessary to install the fence myself. Then when we were ready, he came and installed the charger and set that all up too.

We did have to run power out to the fence line for a plug in. I am very pleased with our fence. It does keep the goats from trying to get out but more importantly, I know nothing else can get into it to bother them.

I can not say enough GOOD about Gallagher. They come with my highest recommendation.

Their website can point you to their nearest dealer. www.gallagherusa.com Be sure to contact the local rep for help on how much you'll need and how to put it up.

[woolyfluff]

The BEST www.Preimer fencing has just what you need "and" it works