That's right - we humans...and our first goats, that is. (With all the talk of "guess the dates et al, I couldn't resist).
We've been lurking this forum for a long time, casting out an occasional question, researching, talking with breeders - and building fences. Last weekend we visited a Kinder breeder and agreed to purchase a doe which is due in May. The breeder (great gal!) will train her
and us! to milk, and if the doe proves suitable for us newbies, we'll pick up in Aug. Not sure who her companions will be yet.
Our question is really about fencing. We would like to avoid hot wire if we can for a variety of reasons. Below is a snapshot of the fencing we have so far. We plan to stretch field fencing or horse fencing across. Dog pictured for proportion. We planned a 5ft fence. Dog is good at keeping
out predators, but probably indifferent toward keeping goats in.
(This is the pretty side, near the road). THe "back forty" would be wood post-t-post-t-post; wood post-t post-t post, etc. with field fencing.
Will this work to keep them in? Everyone says you HAVE to have hot wire.
Our endeavors are not nicely prefaced thanks to our well intentioned but thoughtless neighbors who have a history of rescuing animals and then neglecting them to death. You know the type. (Ex: yesterday, on cue, the daughter came by asking about her 5 missing chickens. Happens regularly).
They
had goats for a while which kept escaping. The damage their herd did, and resentment it built has caused our plans to meet with a less than a cordial reception through out the neighborhood. We need to avoid mishaps. Also, three of their goats died the first year. They have "no idea why".
Could have been CAE, CL. This was two years ago. They are about 800 yards up the way. Any danger that what ever it was could spread?
