Goat dreaming

[LFRJ]

Today was the first step toward our dream of having goats - we eradiated 1/4 acre of blackberries, by hand! Largest 10 yard sq. lump was probably four feet tall! This is no small task, let me tell ya - and while we realize that goats would have eaten down (over time) the thicket, we had to do this to clear for fencing.

So, next step - fencing. My question is two fold. We need to put in something sturdy enough to keep them while we're at work during the day. Will 6 ft, horse fencing do it? if put in taught and strong? Will hog fencing work as well?

I think it was recommended that if we get a doe and her kid, they'll be less likely to peruse an escape. True? False?

We were planning on three goats to round out 'the herd' - a milker, (her kid, I guess), a meat doe, and a wether, for no particular purpose than to just give add some maleness to the crowd, and give a wether a good home. (I guess that makes four goats altogether, actually). We only need a single milker, but could use the meat from boer cross matings, etc. Does one breed tend to or not to get along with another?

How large a shed should we build? How high a fence? We have a flat, grass pasture that we plan to fence also for rotation.

Any added suggestions helpful, though this is a certainly a long term plan.

Thanks

LFRJ

[Rockytopsis]

If you are going to get 2 does then I would suggest you get 2 dairy does and breed them to a meat buck. That way you would have milk and all the kids would be meaty. As far as the wether I would keep one from my own does, that way you could teach him to do what you want him to do. (My wethers don't provide much maleness LOL but they are good boys.)

We have 5ft fencing in some spots and 4ft in others and it does just fine for us. There are a very small % of goats that try to escape no matter what you do. We have 20 to 40 goats (depending on kiddint) and have never had a problem keeping them in on 11 acres. 4X4 wire will allow rabits and smaller critters to escape and keep the goats in as well

DH built a shed about 16ft square and it is adequate for all our bucks and at any one time there are 3 to 5 goats in there and there is room for hay storage and all the boys to get in out of the wind and rain.

Nancy