fencing-electric vs. wire goat fence

[duckidaho]

So, would you use electric (and what set up) or a good quality wire fence designed for goats. We have a. lots of coyotes, and b. a neighbor with wheat and pea fields that he doesn't want goats in. So, goats in, coyotes out.

We might have to use a solar charger if we use electric.

[steff bugielski]

I use electric. I do not even plug it in anymore. Once they get a shock they do not go near again. I plug in in the spring when kids are starting to roam. Coyotes are another story. I have no predators. I would think a good shock from a well placed electric wire will deter a coyote. Be sure to keep the bottom wire at about 4-6 inches off the ground. I have seen coyotes get a running start at an aluminum gate. The field had sheep in it. I do not know what kind of fencing was around the sheep but the gate was getting rammed over and over again until it bent and the coyote got in.

[sammyd]

http://script-host.com/self/archives/magots.jpg Shows most of our methods in action.
We penned the little ones in with the cattle panels, Ma goats with a combination of electric net, snow fence behind 4 hot wires and stock fence with a hot wire out in front. Our steers and the kids were separated from the Ma goats by the net fence and they respected it as well.
We really liked the electric netting but did use fiberglass post and insulators to hold up between the included posts as it seemed we could never keep it super tight. All the animals respected it and it was extremely easy to move to adapt the pasture to the situation as summer rolled along.

[FarmerChick]

I had both.

I love wire fencing. That is a solid barrier. Keeps unwanted out, keeps yours in.....one time cost mainly.

My electric fences, pfffsst...my goats ran thru them with no problems. I had high charges and those suckers ignored it..LOL And believe me if goats can get out of a fence, coytoes will get in an electric fence.

Plus I went thru chargers like crazy. I never met a fence charge I liked, lol, the board dies and it gets expensive to replace. Always seem to die just after warranty..haha. First chance I had the money I switched over all my pasture fencing to wire.

I just prefer it.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Electric NET fencing. They don't go through it. They don't climb on it. Coyotes won't go through it.

Do *not* use solar chargers on electric net. It's not strong enough.

Get a high powered Gallagher charger. Six joules.

[6e]

We never tried the electric netting, but I've heard nothing but good things about them. We used a combination. We used goat fencing as a physical barrier, but we put those 6" insulators on the inside of the fence to keep them off the fence as if there was anything good on the other side they would stand on the fence and eventually wear it down and the little ones learned how to go under it. So, the hot wire kept them away from the fence, but the fence kept them from running through the hot wire. Also, if there's a hot wire close enough to the ground it will also keep out coyotes and stray dogs.

[farmmom]

I have a Parmak charger that's doing and excellent job keeping all my critters in and all the neighbors critters out. It wasn't as expensive as some of the other strong chargers, but works great. It has a solar setup available but sold separately