goats - how hard are they to look after... and fence in?

[yugogypsy]

One goat proof fence is pallets, well nailed together-Google search Pallet Fence and the instructions are all there-only worry is goat kids getting their heads caught in the spaces-add a few more boards inside and and out to cover the gaps if you have kids in your herd.

I've always used tethering and only once had a problem, that was a dog I had to chase off with the hose, he came at ME when I was barehanded so I snatched up the hose and turned it on full bore!

The advantages I found with tethering are you can put the goats where you want them AND where you can see them. I got a lot of brush cleared around the house that way.

I tether the donkey and he's no worry, and it keeps my little bits of lawn trimmed down

Take Care
Lois

[ina]

One goat proof fence is pallets, well nailed together-

Just make sure you use them with slats vertical - my friend's husband, who should know better, had them horizontal, and the goats thought that was a very nice and convenient ladder!

[yugogypsy]

Thanks Ina, I'd forgotten that-the pattern I mentioned has them all going that way, so no worries there.

Lois

[fenwoman]

4 foot fence seems optimistic to me.... everything I read says 'your goat will get out and eat your vegetable patch at some point' !!

after keeping goats (British Saanen) for some 20 years I came to the conclusion that if you keep goats, they will always find a way to get out. It is now 6 years since I had goats as I never replaced them as they pegged it. I now have trees on my land which I planted in the knowledge that they stood a chance without the goats.
I love goats and miss keeping them but I love having treees which I know won't end up being debarked.
Goats are lovely, but they are flipping hard work to keep safe and confined.

[yugogypsy]

The pallet fence design I mentioned ends up being a good 6 ft high. Ideal for deer fence and goats.

Lois
PS, Strawberry plants arrived and are getting planted today!

[ainslie]

I don't have a fence that will hold water so I tether my goats and sometimes it works good and sometimes not-so-good! Key is to check them frequently. Will try the shorter line this year - they have no appreciation for long lines and strain like heck to get at everything out of reach and trample and poop on everything that's in reach. mmiserable beasts, good thing they're cute!

[yugogypsy]

I have also used tethering, I am home all day and it kept the yard brush free for 4 years the first time I had goats.

I'll be cutting the brush and taking it to the goats with the arrangement we'll have this time, but the principle idea still works , 2 goats = 1 brush free acre.!

Lois