Getting Started in the Meat Goat Business - Small Farms / Alternative ...

gauged), spaced 6 to 8 inches apart near theground (last 2 wires) and spaced 8-12 inchesapart for the top strands (first 3 wires). Theheight of the fence should be at least 48 inchestall.The effectiveness of the fence will depend onits ability to deliver a painful shock without causingpermanent harm when an animal, human orpredator touches it. The electric fence requiresthree basic components the fence design, the energizer(charger) and the grounding system.The fencing design will depend on the type ofanimal that will be controlled, the materials usedand the characteristics of the site (i.e., soil moisture).The energizer is used to send an electricFig. 15 Use a voltmeter to determine the charge on the fence line.current through the fence line. A voltmeter canbe used to determine if there is sufficient voltageon the fence to control the goat herd. Acharger that emits at least 4,000 volts of electricityis generally sufficient for goats (Schoenian,1999). Lightening arrestors and surge protectorsare also recommended to reduce the damagethat can occur to the charger.Solar-powered chargers are another option forareas that have no access to electric. Some solarchargers cannot handle a lot of weeds or brush becausethey have a small gel battery with a two tofive watt solar panel. After a few years, the batterymay also require replacing. If there is aproblem with a new solar charger, be sure thepanel is not in the shade and is directly facingthe sun at noon.Electric fencing must also be properly grounded,for the charge to complete its circuit and effectivelyshock intruders. If the ground is very dry,you may need more than three eight foot groundrods. Ground rods should be ten feet apart andat least forty to fifty feet away from other existingrods (Kencove, 2004).6Electric Portable NettingElectro portable netting is lightweight (8-13 lbs.per 164 ft.) and gives you versatility to controlgrazing and the ability to make temporary paddocks,pens or to construct temporary interiorFig. 16 Electric portable netting is light weight and easy to assemble.fences. It is also easy to install on fence curves,corners, hills, dips and can act as its own gate(Premiere 1, 2003). Electric netting is a prefabricatedfence of electroplastic twines, plasticposts (every 12 ft.) and vertical plastic struts(every 12 inches). When energized, the resultsare an impenetrable mesh of electric wires from35 to 42” in height depending on the type of nettingthat is purchased.Occasionally the goats may become entangledin the netting. When this occurs, the animal mayFig. 17 Electric portable netting.receive a bad burn or it may die. Entanglementcan be prevented by the following: 1). Never allowthe goats on both sides of the netting at thesame time, 2). Never use the netting to separatethe does from their offsprings, 3). Never allowanimals to be driven against the net, and 4).Never leave the netting off when the herd is nearbecause the animals may lose their fear of it (Premier1, 2001) and 5). Always make sure thecharger is on and has adequate voltage beforethe herd has been released into the paddock forthe first time. Once the animals are shocked afew times, they will quickly learn to avoid andrespect the fence line.GatesGates should be the right size for the fenceopening to prevent the goats from escaping fromthe facility. Make sure the gate entrances arewide enough to allow a tractor in for disking and