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How to Introduce a Goat to an Electric Fence

Those who raise goats love doing so. Bad experiences are likely the result of someone trying to raise goats without the knowledge, experience and equipment they need to be successful. Many goats will leap over -- or squeeze under -- a non-electric fence. For a goat to be fully aware of the price for wandering too close to those charged lines, they have to experience it firsthand. You need to be willing to be cruel to be kind in this matter, as a wandering goat can get eaten by predators or killed by a frustrated neighbor.

Things You'll Need

Brightly colored flags
Goat treats

Instructions

- 1
  Make the fence visible to them. It may be difficult for your goats to see the thin electrical wiring. So when they occasionally wander too close and get zapped, they don't see the boundary line. Tie brightly colored flags to the center and tops of each post. They won't see the wire, but they will see the flags and they will stay away.
- 2
  Place electric wire at a height that is specifically for your goats. If you are keeping pygmy goats or have young goats, place an electrified wire at five inches off the ground. For larger goats, place an electrified wire at the eye level of the tallest goat. This will discourage them from attempting to climb or jump over. Of course, if you have a mixture of sizes, you will need wires at both heights.
- 3
  Put the goats into the pen for the first time and let them wander around inside the pen for a while. Toss some food into the fenced area and let them eat. Place some food on the outer area of the fence and turn on the electricity. Once they see the food on the outside, they will go for it and get shocked when they do. Usually it only takes once, but once in a while a goat will be stubborn and try again.
- 4
  Call the goats over to the fence if the food on the other side isn't enticing them. Offer them a treat through the fence and wait for them to come get it. Once they get shocked, toss the treat over the fence. Remember that they need to know what the fence is all about, it's to keep them safe from predators, getting hit by vehicles or wandering into the wrong yard.

Animals & Science