Farms and fences tend to go hand in hand – without them, rural farm towns would have the appearance of an open range, and your neighbor’s bull would always be in with your cows. So to maintain order and keep critters safe, farmers build fences.
Fencing for sheep and goats can often be a little trickier than fencing for larger livestock.
What might keep a cow in almost certainly won’t keep a goat in, and fencing that is built high enough for a horse might be just the right height for a sheep to walk under.
In an effort to keep your sheep or goats in and safe, you might have to take a slightly different approach to fencing.
The first thing to consider when building your fence is your grazing program. If you will be implementing rotational grazing with your small ruminants, a common fence layout is a wire perimeter fence with electrified netting or polywire for interior pastures.
Lesley Million, of Terrell Creek Farm, a pastured dairy goat operation in Fordland, Mo., said that “For perimeter fencing we use woven wire with two strands of barbed wire on top. If goats climb on it we use a stand-off electric wire to keep them off of it. Our cross fencing is high-tensile electric (four strands).”
Electric fencing tends to work well for grazing sheep – according to an article by Gerald Fitch, Oklahoma State University Extension Sheep Specialist.
“Electric fencing is more economical than standard barbed wire or hog wire fencing. Electric fencing also allows for temporary fencing to subdivide pastures, which can increase the stocking rate and forage utilization and decrease parasite problems through rotational grazing,” Fitch wrote.
Electric netting or polywire is easy to move and build, making it a great choice for a sheep or goat grazing program.
If you go with woven or barbed wire perimeter fencing, or choose to build all your fences this way, sturdy corners and braces can be the key to keeping critters in – search your local extension office website for informative articles and diagrams on this subject.
Even with a sturdy or electrified fence, predators for sheep and goats can still be a problem. According to the National Agriculture Stastic Service, about one half million sheep, goats, lambs and kids are killed by predators annually.
Dogs and coyotes are high on the predator list – bobcats, mountain lions, foxes and feral hogs can also be problematic for sheep and goat producers.
One of the best defenses for your herd or flock is a guard dog – breeds like Great Pyrenees or Anatolian Shepherds are bred for their strong bonding instincts and make great protectors. Llamas or donkeys are also frequently used guard animals.
Other non-lethal predator management methods are penning your sheep or goats near the barnyard at night, and kidding or lambing in sheds or barns to avoid drawing predators to the scent of blood and afterbirth.
For serious predator problems, lethal management methods include live traps, snares or foot traps.
Sheep and goats are profitable and rewarding livestock to raise on your farm. With a little extra thought to fencing, and careful management of predators, you can have a successful herd or flock that will thrive inside your fences.
