plastic chicken wire fence

Barbed Wire for Goats? (goats forum at permies)

Barbed Wire for Goats?

Hi everyone, I need to fence in about five acres for goats. I have never done goats before. I need to do it as cheaply as possible, this year. Hedges are cheapest, but I can't exactly make a hedge in one year. The woven wire goat fence is pricey and I would rather not. Can barbed wire do it? I know goats are escapists, but if I run the barbed wire every four inches, from the ground up to 4 feet or so, and then pack up as much thorny dead brush as I can up against the wire to keep them from challenging it too much. Meanwhile, I am planting a hedge that will grow up over the next several years, with the goal of eventually removing the barbed wire and using it elsewhere once the hedge is mature. My plan now is three goats, with five acres full of shrubs to eat, and plenty of fresh water. So if they have all their needs met, are not crowded, and I do a reasonable job with the barbed wire, will that be enough? Or am I just naive about goats? Edit to add: Electricity is not a reasonable option for me, sadly. Thoughts? Thanks!

Response 1

I have only seen it used once. The results weren’t pretty. The goats wiggled through the strands. Udders and stomachs were ripped badly.

Response 2

If you are after something relatively inexpensive, maybe electric. That is electric with a solar panel.