Electric fence for goats: Keeping goats safely in the pasture

Anyone who keeps goats knows that these curious and skilled climbers have special demands when it comes to fencing their pasture.
Goats are clever and tough in every respect. If they absolutely want to go somewhere, they will loudly bleat and endure a weak shock from the electric fence.
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 the animals and the protection of your plants.
In this post, we delve deeper into the world of electric fences for goats, electric fence polywires, and electric fence nets, and provide valuable tips for selection.

Why a special electric fence for goats is important

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

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

Two main types of electric fences are available for goat keeping:

1. The classic electric fence with polywires:

• Flexibility: Polywire fences can be very well adapted to the terrain and erected in various shapes and heights.
  
  
  
• Costs: Polywire fences are generally cheaper to purchase than nets.
  
  
  
• Installation: Installation requires a bit more time and manual skill, as posts must be set and the polywires tensioned.
  
  
  
• Safety: When installed correctly and with sufficient tension, polywire fences offer very high herding safety.
  
  
  

2. The electric fence net:

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

Adaptability: On very uneven terrain, adapting the net can be a bit more difficult.

What to look for in electric fence polywires for goats:

• Conductivity: Choose polywires with high conductivity (low resistance in Ohm/meter - conductor material below 0.4 Ohm/m is optimal) to ensure an effective electric shock along the entire fence length.
  
  
  
• Robustness: Electric fence polywires are exposed to the elements and can age quickly due to UV radiation (they bleach out, become brittle, crumble). Excellent product quality of the polywire is therefore important.
  
  
  
• Visibility: Highly visible polywires in clearly visible colors (blue, for example, has proven to be highly visible to wild animals) help goats perceive the fence better.
  
  
  
• Number of conductors: Multiple stainless steel or copper conductors in the polywire ensure better current flow and thus more effective deterrence.
  
  
  
• Height: To prevent goats from jumping over the electric 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 impulses. Consideration and gentleness are unfortunately out of place at the electric fence.
To ensure the necessary respect at the fence from the beginning, a powerful electric fence energizer is essential.
For a secure enclosure (especially for adult animals), the following minimum requirements are considered indispensable:

• Shock strength: At least 4.5 joules (under load at 500 ohms)
  
  
  
• Voltage: An output voltage of at least 3,000 volts
  
  
  
• Durability: A robust fence energiser with a weather-resistant casing for permanent outdoor use.
  
  

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

 

Professional check: How to keep the goat fence safe

• Maintenance: Regularly check the mechanical integrity and fence tension.
  
  
• Vegetation: Keep the fence free of grass and bushes to avoid power losses due to leakage currents.
  
  
• Earthing: Ensure correct earthing of the fence energiser – it is the heart of its function.
  
  
• Safety: For animals prone to escaping, increase the number of strands and extend the fence height beyond the standard 105 cm.

 

Conclusion

Choosing the right electric fence is an important factor for keeping goats in an appropriate and safe way. Pay attention to high-quality materials and careful installation. Furthermore, a powerful electric fence energiser – then nothing should stand in the way of your goats enjoying relaxed grazing!

Landgeiß will gladly help you find the optimal products for your electric fence and the right energiser for your needs.
We look forward to advising you!