Goat jumping fences

[blessedfarmgirl]

My ND goat has discovered she can jump fences. I have had her since April. She never jumped fences at her previous owner's, and she never jumped fences here until less than a month ago. My 3 does have a 10x25 barn area, free choice hay and mineral, and a medium-sized yard to run around in with 48" electric netting (which they were properly trained to). She is now jumping that netting. And of course, she is my best milker as well.
I have no idea what to do. I am planning on tying her out by some weeds and grass during the day, but not all day long, and the grass won't last much longer before she'll be eating purely hay for the winter. I don't want to keep her locked up in the barn all day either, and if she is jumping 4ft netting all my plans for next year's fencing projects won't be adequate. I also can't sell her right now since she's providing most of my family's milk. I'm just stuck.

 

[Mini Horses]

You'll have to raise the fence height. Sorry...no other way and I KNOW what I'm talking about. I have 4 who routinely do this. Put extensions on those posts, add strands of hot wire. You can tie her until that gets worked. Be sure she isn't able to jump something and end up hung!!!

Mine also jump back in sometimes. Usually mine stop when in full milk but, start again. . Plan to keep her in taller fence, forever.

 

[SageHill]

any time I get the bug to get a cute goatie or two all I have to do is come and read about goat adventures here and that bug is smashed!

 

[Baymule]

any time I get the bug to get a cute goatie or two all I have to do is come and read about goat adventures here and that bug is smashed!

X2!

 

[farmerjan]

If she wears a collar, get a piece of chain for her drag around.... if she tries to jump she will get zapped good.. If she doesn't like to drag it she will not try.... not a lightweight chain either... something that has a little weight to it.. not saying it has to drag her down, but she needs to feel it...... Make sure you introduce her to it when you are around so you can keep an eye on her.... see if she tries and gets zapped... make sure she doesn't get hung up in it...
Are you SURE she is jump[ing it and not finding a spot to crawl under???? Or a spot that she can sneak out next to a fence post or something???? I do not have goats ... for the very reasons @Baymule and @SageHill have said... and GOD BLESS every one that does have goats and deals with that.
A rope can/will tangle much faster than a length of chain... and it should be enough to make her think twice or 3 times about trying to jump. Works with cows.....

 

[Mini Horses]

Are you SURE she is jump[ing it and not finding a spot to crawl under???? Or a spot that she can sneak out next to a fence post or something???

They can wiggle thru smallest spots! And can belly out of a low spot.

The ones I have that jump -- are definitely jumping!! Lovely form, I must say . Maybe part deer. I have, this week, used some 1/2" white/wired tape above the fav jump area (I had a roll on hand). I twisted it and that seems to confuse them. It doesn't look flat anymore & almost like it's moving. No jumpers since BUT, only 2 days. . Also, plain wire with strips tied in intervals may deter them, as they flutter. Give it a try. Both are less expensive than taller fence. You can extend a post with many things -- it won't be handling much weight on the extension.

 

[SageHill]

What if the top of the fence was angled in, ya' know - like they do around impound lots and such? Though maybe a jumper would get caught up in it.

 

[Baymule]

If you have T-posts, you can wire rebar to the post for fence extensions. Wherever you buy it, they can cut it for you.
@Mini Horses how much higher should the fence be? I’m thinking 3 feet, but goats think they are Pegasus the flying horse, so I may be wrong.

 

[Mini Horses]

I have 30 goats -- only 4 challenge the 4' mark. Clearly an individual situation. Sometimes others attempt to follow...generally not unless lower levels.
They have food, water, minerals -- just a wanderlust group. Goats ARE famous for athletic prowess and escape; gate locks, etc.

Goat size has a bearing....mine are all full sized. By the way, only 1 of the 4 is a Boer -- the buck! Those big ole Boer girls don't care about it but will push through any weak fence...200# of power.

 

[blessedfarmgirl]

If she wears a collar, get a piece of chain for her drag around.... if she tries to jump she will get zapped good.. If she doesn't like to drag it she will not try.... not a lightweight chain either... something that has a little weight to it.. not saying it has to drag her down, but she needs to feel it...... Make sure you introduce her to it when you are around so you can keep an eye on her.... see if she tries and gets zapped... make sure she doesn't get hung up in it...
Are you SURE she is jump[ing it and not finding a spot to crawl under???? Or a spot that she can sneak out next to a fence post or something???? I do not have goats ... for the very reasons @Baymule and @SageHill have said... and GOD BLESS every one that does have goats and deals with that.
A rope can/will tangle much faster than a length of chain... and it should be enough to make her think twice or 3 times about trying to jump. Works with cows.....

We have not SEEN her jump out, but I'm positive she is. There are no gaps she can get out. I just wish I had a barn camera so I can catch her in the act. I'm hesitant to let her drag anything for fear she'll hang herself or injure herself. It's gotten to the point that anytime we untie her, as soon as we're out of sight she gets out. And I still haven't seen it! But I've seen my father goat clear 50 inches so I know she can do it easily.

They can wiggle thru smallest spots! And can belly out of a low spot.

The ones I have that jump -- are definitely jumping!! Lovely form, I must say . Maybe part deer. I have, this week, used some 1/2" white/wired tape above the fav jump area (I had a roll on hand). I twisted it and that seems to confuse them. It doesn't look flat anymore & almost like it's moving. No jumpers since BUT, only 2 days. . Also, plain wire with strips tied in intervals may deter them, as they flutter. Give it a try. Both are less expensive than taller fence. You can extend a post with many things -- it won't be handling much weight on the extension.

I like the idea of tape! That would be more visible than wire. Hmmm. I might have to try that! And yes I agree, part deer. These creatures are less than two feet tall and they're jumping cattle panels If I didn't love them and the milk (and the babies!) so much, If sell them all in a heartbeat.

If you have T-posts, you can wire rebar to the post for fence extensions. Wherever you buy it, they can cut it for you.
@Mini Horses how much higher should the fence be? I’m thinking 3 feet, but goats think they are Pegasus the flying horse, so I may be wrong.

My fence is electric netting, so unfortunately no. I'll have to buy taller step-in posts which are hard to find and kind of expensive. The tallest I can get are 60 inches and they're $11 apiece.
I'm disappointed she's jumping the netting because it's smoking hot and they have stayed away from it. But I think she got used to jumping the barn pen first, then her little smart dumb brain told her she could jump the electric one too.
I'm just glad my buck is small and polled so I don't have to deal with bashed fencing too.