fencing with pallets?

mzgarden · #1 01/20/14, 05:45 AM

I saw this link and wanted to ask experienced goat folks, would this really work to fence in goats? I've heard so much about goats going over, around, through fencing, and then I see her saying she's had this pallet fence used for goats and pigs for several years.

What do you think?

CarolynRenee · #2 01/20/14, 06:24 AM

Haven't done it, but yes, have seenthe video. Only concern I would have is the goats getting their heads stuck between slats.

Awnry Abe · #3 01/20/14, 07:17 AM

Pallets are one of my favorite things to use in creative and unique ways. I could probably accumulate enough free ones to fence my entire property. Not all pallets are created equal, so pay attention to the slat spacing.

teyze · #4 01/20/14, 08:17 AM

The slats are close enough together that it is not likely a goat would get there head stuck. I used to have goat in an area that only had a 3 1/2 foot fence on one side. They never tried to get out until the tree was cut and there was a stump to jump from : ) maybe if there was a buck on one side and a doe on the other..... I wouldn't think they would go over it otherwise. Would love to get ahold of some free pallets.

Alice In TX/MO · #5 01/20/14, 08:35 AM

My concern is how it looks.

Clovers_Clan · #6 01/20/14, 09:34 AM

I have some 2nd cousins that use this kind of set up for FFA show pigs. They use t-posts though. Works great, they move it every year. Nice thing is it also offers shelter from wind and snow.

dozedotz · #7 01/20/14, 01:39 PM

This is our kid shelter. It is made out of pallets with plywood panels all around...works great for the shelter. Never tried as fencing. CHEAP as in FREE at our local Sears store...just pick them up from the stacks. Our feed store sells their extras for $4.

Frosted Mini's · #8 01/20/14, 08:37 PM

If you have any hills be super careful that the pallets seat perfectly together, or else a big enough gap all the way down to the bottom big enough for legs to pull back out. We had an incident with a 3 week old kid who got his leg caught in a gap between pallets that came down in a V. He must have jumped against it, and then caught his leg and couldn't figure out how to pull it back up and out. He was found stuck in the pallet with his leg snapped clean in half from struggling...bone was jutting out. Luckily, he was a freezer-bound companion goat for my purchased doeling and not the doeling herself!!

Awnry Abe · #9 01/20/14, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

My concern is how it looks.

<voice over=Keven from "The Office">

"They look....AWESOME!"

Tango · #10 01/21/14, 03:45 AM

Pallets are great, especially when they are free. My fence posts are 4" white oak from shipping pallets. But I wouldn't do what the video shows. Goats and pigs? My pigs would have knocked that line over in one night.

creeklady2000 · #11 01/21/14, 05:26 AM

we have used them alot!! they are free and yes they dont look great but that being said they work very well we mainly used ours behind the barn you cant see them from the drive way lol, we are on a limited income and they work for us we also use panels and we have taken down fencing for other people that no longer want it i figure if people want to judge me on how my place look's in stead of looking at how good the animals look that is there problem , my place is not unkept or dirty and our animals are in great shape!! I guess it comes down to personal prefrence

Backfourty,MI. · #12 01/21/14, 07:29 AM

I'd be afraid my goats would be over the top of them, a running start & wood for their foot hold & over they go.
I do have them for my walls that make up my stalls in the barn though & they work great but I do have some that when they are ready they are over in another stall or out wandering around the barn.
Most of the time I don't close the gates though unless it's kidding time.

Bubbas Boys · #13 01/21/14, 08:12 AM

I built this because of this exact video. haha. Worked great but when I went to the place that offered them for free I found panels that are made of full 1 inch boards that were 8 ft long so I used those and put regular pallets as the cross pieces. no posts in ground and the thing is very sturdy!! I was shocked. The price is right for our farm plus I dont think it looks bad at all.

Bubbas Boys · #14 01/21/14, 08:40 AM

This is what it looks like

Nancy_in_GA · #15 01/21/14, 09:13 AM

I think they look great too. Wish I had flat, level land like that.

mzgarden · #16 01/21/14, 11:07 AM

Thanks so much. This makes me feel much better as we were headed this way to using pallets and got nervous. We can proceed, watching carefully for any high points that might help getting over the top. We will also pay attention to slat separations and ensuring getting the pallets butted together carefully.
In May or so, when we play to get this set up, I'll try to come back and post pics.
Very helpful. thanks.

dozedotz · #17 01/21/14, 11:17 AM

Is it just me? They look "artistic." As long as they keep the goats in sounds great to me!

mzgarden · #18 01/22/14, 10:04 AM

I like the look of them. Perhaps I am looking at them the lenses of being very frugal and functional? Either way, I like the look in the video at least.

Alice In TX/MO · #19 01/22/14, 10:44 AM

Personal opinion. I judge Me about how they might look if I used them. It's a personal choice whether to use them or not, and I choose not at this time. I may change that choice later!

The reuse and recycle virtue is strong, but pallet fences for me.... no.

I have not watched the video, but maybe I should. Perhaps they can be installed so they look better than what you see in some places. I think Bubbas Boys pics are awesome!!

And it's ok.

Tango · #20 01/22/14, 11:16 AM

I just don't see using the whole pallet as fencing to be practical long term. The initial cost is only one consideration. When I use whole pallets, they are a constant chore as the wood shrinks and expands and those staples come undone. The boards can split. If it is not promptly corrected, a kid can get hurt, can get loose, can get killed. A whole line like in the video takes more maintenance than the same line done in field fence. And a field fence can last 20 years or more with maintenance - the fence in the video was 5 years old and was already unsturdy and wobbly. I built a pallet shelter for my sow once and it lasted a week. My Belgian filly put her leg through a corral panel and it was a very tense and stressfull time with her dragging it all over the place and me trying to calm her to get her leg out. Things with holes and gaps are inherently risky and to add used pallets into the mix, seems to tilt the scales in favor of an accident. That said, for piglets, pet dogs, calm animals when they are maintained, probably will do alright for a few years.