Concerns before getting goats?

We've gotten serious about getting a couple pygmy or nigerian dwarfs. Before we go through with it I had two main concerns. Just so you have an idea of the living conditions we live out in rural central NC on a little over an acre, across the street and to our left is pasture. However behind us and to the right are a couple houses which would be roughly 150ft away from where the goats would live. We're going to fence in about 2,000 sq feet for the goats.

1. I've read a lot of horror stories about the little guys getting out of their fences, and I would hate for them to get into a neighbors yard or on top of a neighbors car. There wont be anything close to the fence for them to try and vault over. We will have plenty for them to play on towards the center of the fenced in area. Here is what I plan on using for the fence.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_202773-432-RP378T40N___?productId=3371352&pl=1&Ntt=fence+post
http://www.lowes.com/pd_62294-307-84067___?productId=1094819&pl=1&Ntt=hog+wire

The posts will be 6ft apart. Does this seem like it'll get the job done? Also thinking of adding a 2x4 around the bottom to deter digging underneath. Don't really want to add a hot line as there will be kids around the area and if the neighbors happen to wonder over don't want them getting shocked.

2. How noisy are the little buggers on a normal basis, assuming all their food/drink/play needs are being met? Especially overnight.

Sorry for the length but I wanted to be as detailed as I could. Thanks for the help!

Welcome to BYH! I am NC and have ND's too

My goats are not loud, some will scream during heat and others are totally quiet. It depends on the goat but for the most part they don't yell unless something is wrong. When you get them let your neighbors know that they may cry for a few days.

4ft fence is fine, but I wouldn't do welded wire (Fence in your link) The welds tend to break very easily, when we first started that is what we did but after a year or so we had to rip it out. 2x4 no-climb horse fence is the best IMO. No heads can get stuck and no kids can get thru the fencing like the 4x4 wire. Trust me, I'm experienced on that one.

Your posts are fine, but you can space them out farther.

Also if you want to save some money, DON'T buy from lowes. Get your fencing supplies from Southern States of Tractor Supply.

Thanks for the fencing suggestion! That makes a lot of sense. Surprisingly the posts are cheaper at lowes, unless they're marked up in store.

We'll be doing this in stages, this month posts in ground, next month fencing, eventually building a goat house (i want to make my own so I can add some things like a hinged roof for easier cleaning). Also saw a cool trapezoid shaped open ended shelter that doubled as a climbing spot. So needless to say we have ideas and want to have the essentials ready to go.

Welcome , glad you joined us! We have ND and have the 2x4 no climb fence. So far it works great, we keep all the climbing items in the center and so far no has tried to get over. We do have one that tries every now and then....little stinker! Post some pictures as you start setting up and of course when you get your goats!

Hens and Roos said:

Welcome , glad you joined us! We have ND and have the 2x4 no climb fence. So far it works great, we keep all the climbing items in the center and so far no has tried to get over. We do have one that tries every now and then....little stinker! Post some pictures as you start setting up and of course when you get your goats!

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Thanks and will do!

Welcome from Zebulon, NC
Woven wire is better like goatwhisper said. We space our posts at 8ft.
But, you may want to also consider running a single strand of electric inside of the fence to keep them from rubbing on it.
They love to scratch their sides by rubbing on the fence which stretches it no matter what kind. The problem with the welded wire is the welds break.
Mine get quite vocal at feed time. And I've got about 30 so they can generate some noise. But, when you go give them some feed they get quite.
Then, the milkers will talk to you until you get them out and milk them.
I've never had a problem with mine trying to get out.

Heck OFA... what do they have to complain about?!?! Sheeeesh talk about spoiled goats! Yours have it made in the shade! Why in the world would any of them want to escape?

Thanks again! Will hopefully be getting the posts in the ground this weekend.

Latestarter said:

Heck OFA... what do they have to complain about?!?! Sheeeesh talk about spoiled goats! Yours have it made in the shade! Why in the world would any of them want to escape?

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No question mine are fat and sassy
The only reason mine have ever tried to get through a fence was to get to what was on the other side
Buck to a doe
Doe to a buck
Baby looking its mama

OneFineAcre said:

No question mine are fat and sassy
The only reason mine have ever tried to get through a fence was to get to what was on the other side
Buck to a doe
Doe to a buck
Baby looking its mama

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x2

If you have happy animals they won't escape

Although if I am late for milking sometimes one of my does will jump thru the hotwire gate and come to the porch and just hang out until I go out and milk her (3 strands spaced far apart, if I add another it won't be an issue).