Popular fencing material and design used for meat goat production.

Left: Woven wire plus barbed   Right: High-tensile electric fence wire

There are two main purposes for fencing an area for goat production. The first and main purpose is to keep the animals in a desired area and keep predators out with boundary fencing. The second purpose is for controlled grazing management. Proper boundary fencing in a goat production setting is a major capital investment. Investigating fencing laws and consideration of adjacent landowners is important when establishing boundary fencing to avoid conflicts of interest and future disputes with neighbors.

Always investigate cost sharing opportunities. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) offices will provide useful information with availability of cost share funds and tax credit availability for fencing and water delivery to livestock. 
A perimeter fence should be at least 5 to 6 feet tall depending on the intensity of four legged or two legged predators. A permanent 4-foot woven wire with barbed wire along the top will be a good perimeter fence. 

At least 4 to 5 strands of high tensile electric wire is also successfully used for boundary fencing preferably energized with solar electric generators to conserve energy. The more recent eight strand high tensile fence with the second, fourth and top wire electrified has proven to be an effective goat-tight fence. The same number of strands will work for cross fencing.

Electric netting or portable fences are also available for temporary fencing. For availability and price comparisons, check with your nearest co-op or local feed and seed store. 

Source: Agricultural Alternatives-Meat Goat Production. Developed by the Small-scale and Part-time Farming Project at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension

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