Gate for pen?

[madcow]

I have the choice to put the gate up for my pen for new goats to either swing out from the pen or swing into the pen. Which way is a goat less likely to be able to work it open? I'm thinking if it swings in they have to pry it open somehow in order to get it open. If it opens out they would have to only push it enough to make it move. The gate is wood with metal bracing at the corners. What is everyone's experience with this? Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Make it swing into the enclosure. I am still beating my head against the wall trying to get DH to change the swing on the one of the doors and two gates and he at least has installed all of the newer doors the right way. It is a total pain in the hind end to try to pull open a door while holding a load of hay or bucket of water, with a bunch of excited goats shoving their way behind the door as you pull it. If it pushes in, you can walk in as it opens and shoves THEM out of the way.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Make it swing into the enclosure. I am still beating my head against the wall trying to get DH to change the swing on the one of the doors and two gates and he at least has installed all of the newer doors the right way. It is a total pain in the hind end to try to pull open a door while holding a load of hay or bucket of water, with a bunch of excited goats shoving their way behind the door as you pull it. If it pushes in, you can walk in as it opens and shoves THEM out of the way.

What Peace said.

 

[Shelly May]

x2

 

[secuono]

Why not gates that swing both ways?
*No pun intended*

 

[Pearce Pastures]

LOL!

Well you could do that but DH is a door guy by trade and when I asked him to do that, he started talking in some made-up sounding jargon about closers and latches or something. I think you could do double swing hinges but would need to put in some kind of different latch or handle if I understood any of what he was saying (yeah, I kind of tune out a little when he starts getting all fired about about door stuff---he does the same when I start discussing literature or research process though ).

 

[marlowmanor]

We made ours to where it swings out, but really had little choice with where we put it. I wish it would swing in, it would likely be easier. I'm beginning to think I need to ask DH if it's possible to switch the gate around to make it swing in instead of out.

 

[terri9630]

LOL!

Well you could do that but DH is a door guy by trade and when I asked him to do that, he started talking in some made-up sounding jargon about closers and latches or something. I think you could do double swing hinges but would need to put in some kind of different latch or handle if I understood any of what he was saying (yeah, I kind of tune out a little when he starts getting all fired about about door stuff---he does the same when I start discussing literature or research process though ).

Why not mount it with a gate hinge? The kind used on stock gates and chain link. Then it can swing either way without changing anything.

 

[HappyFamilyFarm]

Ours swings both ways and wouldn't have it any other way. It keeps them at bay most of the time. You always have that one that figures out how to get around you.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

I have them all three ways. On the ones that only swings in, I like because if the goats or Horses are leaning on the gate, etc. they are pushing against the fence posts, not just the latch. On the gateway that only swing out or both ways, I have heavy duty chains on them for the reason stated above, so that the weight of any animals is not only be held by the closer.