Electric fence for goats: Keeping goats safely in the pasture

Anyone who keeps goats knows: These curious and skillful climbers place special demands on the fencing of their pasture.
Goats are clever and tough in every respect. If they really want to go somewhere, they'll accept a weak jolt from the electric fence, bleating loudly.
A conventional fence often doesn't stop them from going on an exploration tour.
Therefore, choosing the right electric fence system is crucial for the safety of your animals and the protection of your plants.
In this article, we delve deeper into the world of pasture fences for goats, pasture fence wires and pasture fence nets, and give you valuable tips for making your selection.

Why a special pasture fence is important for goats

Goats are not only incredibly agile jumpers, but also masters of squeezing through and nibbling. A fence for goats must therefore be robust and, above all, electrifiable. The mild electric shock (the shock strength) serves as an effective psychological barrier and prevents the animals from climbing over or damaging the fence.

The agony of choice: electric fence wire or electric fence net?

Basically, there are two main types of pasture fences available for keeping goats:

1. The classic electric fence with strands:

• Flexibility: Wire fences can be adapted very well to the terrain and erected in various shapes and heights.
  
  
  
• Costs: As a rule, wire fences are cheaper to purchase than nets.
  
  
  
• Assembly: Assembly requires a little more time and craftsmanship, as posts need to be set and the strands tensioned.
  
  
  
• Safety: When installed correctly and with sufficient voltage, wire fences offer a very high level of security against animal transmission.
  
  
  

2. The electric fence net:

• Fitness: An electric fence net is only conditionally suitable for keeping goats (should
  (generally only used with hornless goats)
          
• Higher risk of injury for horned goats: Compared to individual strands, the risk of goats getting their horns caught in the net is higher.
  The goats can get their horns caught in it and, in the worst case, die a painful death.
  
  
  

Adaptability: On very uneven terrain, adapting the network may be somewhat more difficult.

Things to consider when choosing electric fence wire for goats:

• Conductivity: Choose wires with high conductivity (low resistance in ohms/meter - ideally a conductor material below 0.38 ohms/m) to ensure an effective electric shock along the entire length of the fence.
  
  
  
• Durability: Electric fence wires are exposed to the elements and can age quickly, especially due to UV radiation (fading, becoming brittle, crumbling). Therefore, excellent wire quality is essential.
  
  
  
• Visibility: Highly visible strands in highly visible colors (blue, for example, has proven to be highly visible to wild animals) help the goats to perceive the fence better.
  
  
  
• Number of conductors: Multiple stainless steel or copper conductors in the strand ensure better current conduction and thus more effective deterrence.
  
  
  
• Height: To prevent the goats from jumping over the pasture fence, it should be at least 105 cm high.

  

Power for the goat fence: Why 4.5 joules (under load at 500 ohms) is the minimum

Goats are strong-willed escape artists who are hardly impressed by weak electric shocks. Unfortunately, consideration and gentleness are out of place at an electric fence.
To ensure the necessary respect at the fence from the very beginning, a powerful electric fence energizer is essential.
The following minimum requirements are considered essential for secure fencing (especially for adult animals):

• Impact energy: At least 4.5 joules (under load at 500 ohms)
  
  
  
• Voltage: An output voltage of at least 3,000 volts
  
  
  
• Durability: A robust electric fence energizer with a weatherproof housing for permanent outdoor use.
  
  

Don't skimp on performance: Only a device that reliably delivers these values ​​offers true herding security and prevents your goats from misunderstanding the fence as a mere invitation to slip through.

 

Professional check: How to keep your goat fence safe

• Maintenance: Regularly check the mechanical integrity and the fence voltage
  
  
• Vegetation: Keep the fence free of grass and undergrowth to avoid power losses due to stray currents.
  
  
• Grounding: Ensure the electric fence energizer is properly grounded – it is the core of its function.
  
  
• Safety: For animals prone to escaping, increase the number of strands and extend the fence height beyond the standard dimension of 105 cm.

 

Conclusion

Choosing the right electric fence is crucial for keeping goats safely and humanely. Pay attention to high-quality materials and careful installation. A powerful energizer is also essential – then nothing should stand in the way of your goats enjoying a relaxed grazing season!

Landgeiß will gladly help you find the optimal products for your electric fence as well as the right electric fence energizer for your needs.
We're happy to advise you!