How to Set Up an Electric Fence for Goats

Goats are escape artists and need substantial fencing.

Goats are one of the most difficult farm animals to contain. These resourceful creatures can jump a low barrier, and are intelligent enough to find and exploit any weakness in a fence. A simple electric fence with step-in posts and three or four strands may hold goats for a limited time, but a five-wire electric fence will hold them more adequately.

Things You'll Need

• Stakes
• Hammer
• Twine
• 6-foot T-posts
• Pinlock insulators
• Landscape timbers, 3 per corner
• Posthole digger
• Tamper
• T-post driver
• Electric fence wire
• Insulated gate handles
• Ground rod
• Electric fence charger

Instructions

1. Stake out where you want the fence. Dig three postholes at each corner: one on the actual corner, and one 10 feet away on each side, following the fence line.

2. Place a landscape timber in each hole. Refill and tamp each hole.

3. Drive T-posts around the remainder of the fence line, with the "nubs" facing in toward the pasture. Space the posts 10 to 15 feet apart.

4. Install five insulators on the inside of each post, including the wooden corner posts. Place the lowest insulator on each post 6 inches above the ground. Place the second insulator 7 inches above the first, the third insulator 8 inches above the second, the fourth insulator 10 inches above the third, and the top insulator 12 inches above the fourth.

5. Spool out one strand of fence wire around the perimeter of the fence. Fasten the strand to all of the bottom insulators. Keep the wire tight as you go. Repeat for the next set of insulators, until you have all five strands attached to the insulators.

6. Choose a location for the gate. Cut each wire in turn and install an insulated handle. Follow the directions that came with the handles.

7. Drive the ground rod at a location where the fence is nearest the house or barn.

8. Install the fence charger and connect it to the electric fence and the ground rod. Follow the directions that came with the fence charger.

Tips & Warnings

• Be careful never to touch the fence while the charger is in operation. Keep children and pets away from the fence.

References

• Langston University; Types Of Fencing for Goats; Steve Hart; 2001
• "The Fence Bible"; Jeff Beneke; 2005