moveable fence?

snettrecker · #1 07/16/08, 06:31 PM

I am moving to some property soon. I would like to start keeping some goats, but do not have enough money to put goat fence all the way around the fields. I was thinking about getting two 100' rolls of 48" 2x4 fencing and using t-posts make a small enclosure. Then after they've eaten that down move the enclosure 50' over and starting again. I'm just wondering if anyone has an easier way of moving posts.

I though about tires filled with quickcrete, but I don't know how that would work for stability and such. Any ideas? Also I know there is no exact answer, but I'm in east TN and I don't want to put to many goats in there how many is to many? I will be a first time goat owner as well as many other things. I'll be a new homesteader so there will probably be lots of questions. Thanks

Alice In TX/MO · #2 07/16/08, 06:49 PM

Electric net fencing.

http://www.kencove.com/ShopDetail.php?recordID=NPC

Minelson · #3 07/16/08, 07:13 PM

I have heard people speak very highly of T-bar jacks for removing posts. Pop's them right out they say. I think it's something like this...
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&key...l_3q8lm9szko_b

nappint · #4 07/16/08, 08:48 PM

I can not imagine moving a t-post and woven wire fence as often as you will need to

T-post pullers are great but pulling is only part of the work - pounding those suckers back in is going to kill you...not to mention wrestling with the wire and the need for corner braces etc.

I second the suggestion for the electric net fencing - it's portable, made to be moved. We keep our goats in a pen made of 3 rolls and even though it's an easy fence to move I still dread it LOL!

As far as putting t-posts in concrete tires I think it might leave too big of a gap at the bottom of the fence and you might run the risk of a predator getting in and hurting your goats

or your goats could shimmy under and escape. Then there's always the possibility that they will just knock it down and walk away...they are goats after all LOL!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hillbilly Don · #5 07/16/08, 08:50 PM

I live in East Tn. also, and t-posts are easy to remove with a puller.

Qvrfullmidwife · #6 07/16/08, 09:08 PM

t-post pullers are worth their weight in gold, in my opinion. We use t-posts and cattle panels and wwhile we dont have anything as small as you are mentioning, we do use them sort of as portable fencing and move them periodically. Bigger initial investment but worth it to have a fence that is sturdy, strong AND somewhat portable.

snettrecker · #7 07/16/08, 10:54 PM

With that electric net fence, do you have to keep grass and weeds off it? I'd be putting the goats in a semi grown up field. Would I need to cut the grass around the fence so that it wouldn't ground out? Thanks

farmersgirl · #8 07/16/08, 11:54 PM

I don't know what I could do without our t-post puller! We have such hard ground....it saves so much time.
We have had a pretty bad experience with the rolled fencing though, so we switched to cattle panels. They cost more, but are worth it and they last longer then the rolled. With cattle panels, you just tie them to your t-posts with baling string and untie them when it is time to move. Trust me, with cattle panels, you will have a whole lot less loose goat complaints from the neighbors. : )

Minelson · #9 07/17/08, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmersgirl

I don't know what I could do without our t-post puller! We have such hard ground....it saves so much time.
We have had a pretty bad experience with the rolled fencing though, so we switched to cattle panels. They cost more, but are worth it and they last longer then the rolled. With cattle panels, you just tie them to your t-posts with baling string and untie them when it is time to move. Trust me, with cattle panels, you will have a whole lot less loose goat complaints from the neighbors. : )

I see there are different kinds of pullers...which one do you use Farmersgirl?

Qvrfullmidwife · #10 07/17/08, 09:15 AM

"you just tie them to your t-posts with baling string"

zip/cable ties! Goats cant (or generally dont) chew om those!

nubiansinny · #11 07/17/08, 09:59 AM

cattle panels!!
You can use justa few post for extra support. i don't use any for my kid pen and its 6 pannels. I use metal u shaped clips that screw closed to hold them together. best thing is i can move it my self With the goats in it.
If you are going to use Tpost get a puller!! We got ours at harbor freight really cheap,there is a store near us. They are heavy so it will cost some to ship one.

farmersgirl · #12 07/20/08, 12:52 PM

I use a red tubing t puller. You an find them at your local feed/hardware store. Hope that helps.....

lasergrl · #13 07/20/08, 12:58 PM

I am not that happy with electric netting as a moveable pen.

has to be attached to a grounding rod, these are hard to get in and very hard to get out depending on the soil. So far we just move it in all directions around the rod. For two sheep we move our 163' fence every 2-3 weeks. The poles attached to it are wobbley and flimsy. We had to get step in posts for each pole, plus one for in between it sags so much even when pulled tight. No question the sheep and goats dont challenge it though.
Its easier to attach four goat panels with clips and move that more often.
This isnt premier fence maybe thats better quality.

o yeah, and the grass touching the bottom does drain the power if you dont keep it trimmed. I listen for snapping sounds and find the culprit grass. I got zapped the other day pulling one out, woops, its not that bad