What is the deal?

[20kidsonhill]

fencing issues can also vary between breeds of goats. A big fat boer goat is less likely to jump a fence than a smaller more nimble breed. We had a nubian boer cross doeling that could easily clear a 4 foot fence, and did it all the time. WE sold her.

 

[SuburbanFarmChic]

We had one goat that simply didn't care if she got shocked and would bust through any electric fence no matter what I did. And a friend has a pygmy/nigerian cross baby that goes boneless and squiggles under a fence that I can't fit my toe under. There will always be exceptions to any goat or fence rule. But in general if they have food, water and something to entertain them goats tend to stay put. There are always that simply cannot help themselves and simply MUST be on the other side of a fence.

 

[breezy B ranch]

We have a 5ft fence and nobody has ever got out! The only time that has happened is when I was rushed by two does ready to be on the milk stand and get their grain!! lol

 

[Chickie2378]

goats are houdinis. that is for sure.

I have tons of pasture so never truly did they 'try to escape'. problem was getting the head/horns thru the squares. Those PITAs I ductaped a pvc pipe to the horns. done with that.

They are instinctly browsers, foragers, wanders. They are not a good 'caged' rumen.

if browse is low they want what is on the other side of the fence. if pasture is small, they want to get out and exercise and get what is one the other side of the fence. Can't blame them

 

[Queen Mum]

Houdini is a master of escape. Houdini is 14 inches high at the shoulder. He can climb a 5 - 6 foot fence. He can get under a fence with a gap of 2 to 3 inches. Otherwise, if he wants out, he head butts his way out. It may take him days but he WILL leave. If he can't head butt his way out, he will climb out.

But since he's been in Mama's paddock he has left twice. Once because he didn't know I would make him come back through the gate with a leash and a collar in order to get his hay and grain and the second time, because there was a lovely girl on the other side. The thing is, the reason he no longer leaves Mama's paddock is because he gets food on a regular basis and there is a warm barn for him to sleep in. He no longer has a need to leave. Prior to that, he didn't get fed regularly, and he didn't have a warm, safe, comfy place to sleep. AND if there is a lovely girl in heat, I bring her to him.

 

[lilhill]

We have 5' fencing and in 7 years of raising Nigerians, have never had any escapes. Hopefully I don't jinx myself saying that.

 

[NancyP]

Sounds like as long as I keep them fed and happy we will have no problems. I can only hope it is that easy.

 

[Queen Mum]

Sounds like as long as I keep them fed and happy we will have no problems. I can only hope it is that easy.

Pretty much, that's about it. If you have one that doesn't cooperate, then it's time to find a different home for the little devil.

 

[larryj57]

I have had my goats for almost a year now, when we decided to get goats the first step was fence, we fenced in 7 acres with 4ft no climb horse wire with post every 8 ft. the wire was streched really tigh, two 14 ft gates and strong coners, so far no escapes .

 

[fortheloveofgoats]

So what is the truth? Everyone I talk to goes on about how hard it is to keep goats from escaping their pen. Then I come across those of a totally opposite opinion. Who is right? Do I really need 10 foot high electrified fences?

When we had our goats, one was great about staying in, and our Lil Lady was an escape artist. Once she lived with us for about a month, she stopped. I think she was just wanting to get used to everything. I didn't have to worry about leaving home anymore. I did feed grain at night though, so that might have helped as well.