Fencing For Goats And Sheep
- Posted by:
- Admin
- Tags:
- sheep and goats
- Posted date:
- 02-10-2019
What is the Best Fencing For Goats And Sheep?
Goats and sheep are notorious for wandering away from their pasture. As such, you will need to invest in a proper fence lest you spend a lot of time looking for them and herding them back home. Here is a definitive guide on the right kind of fencing for goats and sheep.
Types of Fencing
Sheep and goats have different needs when it comes to their safety and security. You need to look for a fence that will keep your herd contained while also protecting them from harm.
Cattle Panels
These are 16-feet timber segments and have square openings measuring 4 to 8 inches depending on the manufacturer. Cattle panels are lightweight, easy to install, and affordable.
They are particularly ideal for making small yards, corrals and dividing pastures. The panels are joined together with a metal pole and can be moved from one place to another.
Livestock Fencing
This is another effective fence for keeping your herd exactly where you want it. Livestock fencing offers a somewhat permanent solution; users will often utilize sturdy poles when installing them into the ground and concrete to hold them in position.
High-tensile wires are subsequently installed vertically around the pasture. With this type of fencing, 6 to 8 strands of wire are usually enough to control the movement of sheep and goats. In addition to the high-tensile wire, you may install electric netting, woven filed wire or poly tape.
Note: Barbed wire is not recommended for this purpose as it can harm your goats and pull out the wool from sheep upon contact.
How to ensure that the Fencing is Effective
Distance Between Strands
Goats are notorious for testing fences and enjoy putting their heads through tiny spaces in which they can get stuck. Besides, sheep, goats, and predators like foxes, phantom cats, and feral dogs are likely to push their way through the fences or crawl under them.
Therefore, you need to ensure that the wire strands are only 4 inches apart. Also, if you go for cattle panels, ensure to choose those with 4-inch square openings rather than those with eight and above. The same rule applies to woven wires.
Fence Posts
The ideal posts depend on the specific type of fence you choose. For instance, treated wooden posts are suitable for permanent fences, while fibreglass or steel are perfect for cattle panels.
The two most important features to consider when buying posts is their strength, and of course the height. When making a purchase, ensure that corner and gate posts have an 8-inch diameter, while the rest are 5 inches wide.
Strength of the Fence
Fences for goats and sheep should be sufficiently strong to withstand climbing, leaning and pushing. You can ensure the strength of your fence by using 12 gauge wires and posts with large diameters.
Fence Height
Goats enjoy jumping, which will often give them a leeway to escape the pasture. As such, you should ensure that your fences are at least 4 feet tall.
Fencing is a necessary investment for any farmer looking to keep a herd of sheep and goats. Fences come in handy in controlling the herd's movements and protecting them from predators.
Using the right materials like the ones mentioned above will save you a lot of time and money while setting you up to become a successful shepherd.
If you are considering agricultural fence building for your property within the Suffolk area, get in touch to ask about our fencing services. Find out more about our farm fencing.