Fencing question

[Trevor]

I am planning to re fence my pasture, that will hold mixed species including cows, sheep goats, and/or pigs. Goats seem to be the biggest challenge to fencing. I know that the "goat fence" at the farm stores is a 4x4 woven wire, but I've got an opportunity to get a smoking deal on some 39" woven hog fence with 12 inch vertical stays. I read a few places that larger openings are ok, with 6x6 being the real danger because of the goats getting themselves stuck. I would then probably put a strand or two of barbed wire up top since I will likely have a cow or two in the pasture as well.

Thoughts?

[marusempai]

Just because I know someone will ask: horns or no horns? If they have no horns, you don't have to worry so much about them getting stuck.

I've never heard anything good about goats and barbed wire - seems like they figure they can press through, then it tears them up. Lots of folks run one strand of electric around the top of their fences to good effect though.

[Alice In TX/MO]

The barbed wire really doesn't make a difference, in my opinion. The horses and cattle lean on it anyway.

[Trevor]

If I were to run electric on top, would I also want another hot wire inside closer to the ground?

[Tilly]

Yes, you will need at least one strand lower to keep goats from leaning on the fence. Don't run it so low that the animals won't hit it, about the lower chest area on a grown goat.

We had excellent results with high tensile electric for multi-species fencing. Hubby liked the idea of adding another line when we needed it for smaller goat kids. Barbed wire has resulted in too many torn up goats to be used on our place.