Yet another fence question

[TomScanlan]

I'm new here, and so here's a small preamble: I'll be starting a farm on around 60 acres in Kentucky shortly. I'm being held up, so may miss all but an overwinter planting, and getting chickens and goats.

The 60 acres is next to a river, so one side is open to the river and the other side has a perimeter fence that goes up a hill in woods and meets the river at the ends. The river side is wide open with no fencing.

I was hoping to let the goats wander most of the property as they wish. I'd pen them with a shelter at night. I'd be fencing off planting areas to keep farm animals and varmints out. I've heard many people say the goats won't cross water; is that true? Or should I get a movable fence to pen them and move them around the property?

[Wags]

Fencing isn't just about keeping the goats in - it's keeping predators out. I would say you would be better off fencing it.

[Minelson]

It depends on the goats. I have 3 pygmy goats and let them wonder....they are very friendly and prefer to stay close to the house and barn. They wonder off into the hay field once in awhile or wherever the horses are grazing. It's easy for me because I can keep an eye on them. I do put them in a pen when no one is home and I keep them in a horse stall in the barn at night. I don't think my goats would ever cross water unless it was by accident.

[TomScanlan]

Originally Posted by Wags

Fencing isn't just about keeping the goats in - it's keeping predators out. I would say you would be better off fencing it.

At night they would be fenced in at their shelter, and during the day, I'd have a LGD or two around. I'm less concerned about the predators at the moment than the goats plotting escape

[ozark_jewels]

The goats are unlikely to swim or wade the river as they dislike getting wet. The LGD's are another story now, they *love* water.
Sounds like a pretty place.
Now one really hot summer day my Alpine buck stood hip deep in the pond to cool off so there are no sure things.

[TomScanlan]

Originally Posted by ozark_jewels

The goats are unlikely to swim or wade the river as they dislike getting wet. The LGD's are another story now, they *love* water.
Sounds like a pretty place.
Now one really hot summer day my Alpine buck stood hip deep in the pond to cool off so there are no sure things.

Well, for the dogs, that's ok. I'm less worried about them wandering off. Unless they decide it's time to guard the hunting preserve across the river

Hmm... I guess I'll just have to be pragmatic. Keep a fenced area, but let them wander until I get a good feeling for how they respond to the river. If they look like they'll run for it, then I'll just have to box them up. That spoils my plans for super low maintenance feeding.

I don't want to fence off the river since that would ruin the view.

[RiverPines]

We live on the river and our goats never try to go into the water. But they will strip the shoreline if you let them and thats leads to some awful erosion!
So if you dont want your land to end up washing away. keep the goats away from the shores.

[ozark_jewels]

Originally Posted by TomScanlan

Well, for the dogs, that's ok. I'm less worried about them wandering off. Unless they decide it's time to guard the hunting preserve across the river

Yeah, it very well could be an easy way to lose a couple dogs.