tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post8959033709077467413..comments2023-06-28T21:53:24.312-07:00Comments on On the way to Critter Farm...: Failure to containDannihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12623233206043947281noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-57133586748509347432011-02-20T20:36:07.026-08:002011-02-20T20:36:07.026-08:00While I no longer have goats, we do have a horse w...While I no longer have goats, we do have a horse who likes to stomp and lean on the fence. So, we strung hot wire and it worked well for a while. Until the charger burned out a month later. So, I agree with checking your charger. You can get a voltage meter thing to test it with. And test it in several places. If that is the issue, I suggest surfing Amazon or a like site and reading lots of reviews on whatever charger you think you may want. Had I done this originally, I'd not have bought the charger at my local feed store that ended up having nothing more than 1-star reviews.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-61291210687152165302011-02-13T12:57:51.706-08:002011-02-13T12:57:51.706-08:00I don't think you can every keep goats in with...I don't think you can every keep goats in with electric fence. We have a large herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats (about 100 right now, including all the winter babies), and we have the whole property fenced with 4' field fencing (the kind that "twisted" together, not welded). It's been tons of work keeping it in good enough repair for these guys, but it's the only thing that seems to work. Good luck!<br />--<br />Keb'm<br /><a href="http://www.cathys-critters.com" rel="nofollow">Cathy's Critters</a>Kevin Smithhttp://www.cathys-critters.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-29608086432696644682011-02-11T19:13:54.074-08:002011-02-11T19:13:54.074-08:00I fill in the holes that the goats get out of with...I fill in the holes that the goats get out of with poultry netting. It's cheap, easy to hang and has small enough holes they can't get through it. I don't have electric fences though so I'm not sure how it would work with an electric fence. My goats still find new ways to get out.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14920326845870515381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-31596423608624485582011-02-11T07:15:27.950-08:002011-02-11T07:15:27.950-08:00I have seven strands of electric for the perimeter...I have seven strands of electric for the perimeter fencing around my pastures & woven wire dividing up the paddocks. The electric works great for the sheep but the 3 Angora goats got out constantly. I was afraid they would teach the sheep how to do it so I sold the goats. <br /><br />When I was first considering goats, I was told: <b><i>"If water can get through it, goats will get through it". </i></b>Unfortunately, I found that to be true...<br /><br />Good luck!Nancy K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06061265740359266798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-47679149008611301492011-02-10T11:10:59.135-08:002011-02-10T11:10:59.135-08:00Oh my...goats are notoriously difficult to contain...Oh my...goats are notoriously difficult to contain! Wow, you've got your work cut out for you :) I don't have goats anymore, just an expert escapee hound, but here's my 2-cents worth about electric fencing for squirrelly ruminants:<br /><br />The fur on our various farm creatures provides different insulating value from the shock of your fence… couple that with a strong (desperate) desire for escape of some varmints and you'll want to charge your fence accordingly. A horse zapped by less than 2,000 volts will stay far away from the fence at all times. You'll need 2,500 volts to contain a cow, and you'll want to pump that up a bit for goats and sheep - try 4,500 volts - that should get their attention... yes, ma'am.<br /><br />You also want to have high-quality insulators to keep your wire off your fence posts where it'll short out for sure. The most common in my area are the yellow ones (it's what I use), the porcelain are super old-school and work great (they're also pretty expensive). You can also recycle plastic/rubber tubing to use as an insulator, like garden sprinkler line or even leftover rubber weather-stripping, just don't mash it down too much with your staples or you can tear the rubber and get a short.<br /><br />Then be sure you ground it well: poor grounding = poor shock. You can get long (6-10 foot) galvanized metal grounding rods at most farm supply stores. I use four 6-foot grounding rods in my fence. They're installed right near the energizer. Drive them all the way into the soil except for about 6 inches or so where you'll jump connect them with good ground clamps. Ideally, you want to drive them into an area where the soil is consistently good and moist, that moisture will add to the shock value. Keep in mind that stray voltage can be an issue when the fence controller/grounding system is located within 50 ft. of a utility ground, buried water pipe, or buried telephone wire. <br /><br />Lastly, don't guess, get a voltmeter. Check the fence frequently to ensure you're getting a goat-worthy charge!<br /><br />Good luck!Dana Keehttp://www.2Mooses.weebly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-41572481562523783382011-02-10T07:05:34.336-08:002011-02-10T07:05:34.336-08:00that photo of the goats and the children is pricel...that photo of the goats and the children is pricelessJohn Going Gentlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14958171262765033946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-10232193538494599602011-02-10T06:54:35.375-08:002011-02-10T06:54:35.375-08:00We found that ours didn't care about getting z...We found that ours didn't care about getting zapped if they wanted out enough. They probably found the chicken's grain. <br /><br />I don't want to tell you what we spent on fencing until someone told us to buy horse fence. We have 6foot for the does and 8 foot for the bucks. <br /><br />Fingers crossed it is working so far.<br /><br />Good luck!brokenteepeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06907414560986208401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-32200666031936892692011-02-09T20:03:23.797-08:002011-02-09T20:03:23.797-08:00my husband said he doesn't see any insulators ...my husband said he doesn't see any insulators in your pictures. Is the wire nailed to the posts or do you have a plastic or glass insulator between the wire and post? If not, the moisture may be shoring it out. If you are using insulators, you might want to get a stronger charge on your wire.<br />This was not a good post for me to read with husband sitting here, as he's always telling me, when my goat desires come up, that "they get out all the time are constantly into something" and now he's giving me that "told you so" look. Thanks!Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17294229154600798483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-87295440127143559742011-02-09T17:43:38.233-08:002011-02-09T17:43:38.233-08:00Thanks for the tag by the way!Thanks for the tag by the way!Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01432170922105438643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-43688915715728444782011-02-09T17:42:19.728-08:002011-02-09T17:42:19.728-08:00They are silly goat boys! What if you took some of...They are silly goat boys! What if you took some of that 24" or 36" field fencing and put it on the lower portion where they escape. Or by a taller roll and cut it to the right height. Good luck!Mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01432170922105438643noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-63987525545435202532011-02-09T17:38:37.366-08:002011-02-09T17:38:37.366-08:00Oh Danni.... very cute pictures for a not cute is...Oh Danni.... very cute pictures for a not cute issue! We went through a phase where my dog was digging out of the fence. He was a sight hound and so would just run after anything fast....like cars... We had to fortify with concrete under ground; but that is when he became a mostly indoor dog. Neither of which are options for you.... but it is scary to see one's animals out knowing they could get into something that could get them hurt. Good luck!!!JaneKnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-90367940426846652982011-02-09T15:56:27.918-08:002011-02-09T15:56:27.918-08:00I wonder if the bottom strands are working. I can&...I wonder if the bottom strands are working. I can't imagine them going under and not feeling the zap if there is one. Do you have a tester?goatgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05753367360714853700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-60704227381902024262011-02-09T15:38:03.092-08:002011-02-09T15:38:03.092-08:00Sorry you are having this goat fence problem, but ...Sorry you are having this goat fence problem, but I am still feeling sorry for Kai Llama as she looks down at her escaping charges. (no pun intended) Even though the photo is blurry, I can see her dismay that these boys would leave her. After all, it is her job and duty to keep them safe and with her. Do llamas sob?Zitronehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08706863522408321375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-13361369287316581562011-02-09T15:21:30.465-08:002011-02-09T15:21:30.465-08:00Your boys are pretty clever! I agree that a lower...Your boys are pretty clever! I agree that a lower wire at their favorite spot may be the only way to keep them from slipping through.<br /><br />They certainly know how to keep life interesting! Cute boys!Brendahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02335402223334953355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-46447378552739516552011-02-09T15:08:26.072-08:002011-02-09T15:08:26.072-08:00I think this problem goes back to the discovery of...I think this problem goes back to the discovery of a thing called a "Chicken Pasture". Before its existence was known everyone was happy, but once Pete and Reggie found out that the chickens had their own pasture (they already knew about the donkey and llama pastures) they started exploring the property looking for the "goat pasture". I can hear them now:<br /><br />Pete, "Reggie, everyone else has a pasture so I'm sure we have one around here too!"<br /><br />Reggie, "Well lets get going while our winter coats are still in, it will take the zap out of the wires on the fence." <br /><br />Pete, "Do you think mom will mind us exploring!?<br /><br />Reggie, "I'm sure she would WANT us to find it. She is probably laughing at us right now for being so slow to figure out that it is out there just waiting for us."<br /><br />Pete, "Lets start by asking the chickens, she has been spending way too much time with them lately and you know how these hens like to gab...."Chai Chaihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05845100961653150736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-74957733665803735392011-02-09T11:45:16.600-08:002011-02-09T11:45:16.600-08:00Goats are so smart. They can figure how to get out...Goats are so smart. They can figure how to get out of most anything. Do you have a fence tester? It is a thingy that costs about $25 and lights up like the <br />4th when the charge is good. Our goats hate the electric fence. We did start with field fence first and then used the electric wire to run along the top outside (predators) and about 1 1/2 ft up from the ground to deter goats from performing tricks. They yell like crazy when they hit the electric wire. Oh, so do I. I say really bad words too. The goats may be saying bad words but I don't understand goat. ;)Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08257564938538898594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-3349777040141033202011-02-09T11:44:11.497-08:002011-02-09T11:44:11.497-08:00Another goat keeper here (Saanens & Nigerians)...Another goat keeper here (Saanens & Nigerians) & we've had the same problem with the charger as you have. And we've used both a Gallagher pulse charger & a really nasty constant charge zapper. If they want to get out, they will get out. Then when kidding time came around, the kids would get out and get zapped, but for some reason they couldn't manage to go back in - even when they were crying for mom. <br /><br />The older goats figure a zap is worth getting over to the other side. We finally gave up on the electric fence (we had five strands) and they are now in a much smaller cattle panel enclosure. We can't afford to make a larger area with the cattle panels but are going to use a field fence with two, maybe three hot wires so they don't climb or lean on the field fencing.<br /><br />I know that's not what you wanted to hear, and I'm willing (and hoping) to hear from someone who has had success with just electric fence as it is a cheaper way to provide our goats with more area to roam.<br /><br />Good luck!Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14436557172029575513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-34281056549077595542011-02-09T11:14:10.842-08:002011-02-09T11:14:10.842-08:00I am just now able to catch up with what has been ...I am just now able to catch up with what has been going on with you. <br />My goodness a lot has been happening at Critter Farm.<br />Have to giggle about the cats. Animals know where a good life awaits them. They just seem to navigate perfectly. <br />You with kitties! lol Make sure you have your allergy meds with!<br />Ah, escapee goats. Yes. Yes. I know the feeling. The goat girls here learned how to get out of the pasture and now they wander wherever they please. And yes, they discovered the chicken house/coop and hhave helped themselves to the cracked corn! Keeping them contained, I learned, is a losing battle. <br />Having a barn full of hay is always a nice sight!<br />Hugs.AJ-OAKShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10835033049330507303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-43871086848125654322011-02-09T10:20:58.432-08:002011-02-09T10:20:58.432-08:00Let us know what you did when you figure it out. :...Let us know what you did when you figure it out. :)LindaGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12203719919661519350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-27268712147254573882011-02-09T10:09:01.235-08:002011-02-09T10:09:01.235-08:00I am no help with the fencing situation. You know ...I am no help with the fencing situation. You know far more about goats and electric fences than I do. I did enjoy your post though. Always do.Farmer Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10333209660043535465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-69205324927405654222011-02-09T09:55:41.435-08:002011-02-09T09:55:41.435-08:00As we all here can attest, your charger needs to b...As we all here can attest, your charger needs to be adequate enough for goats. Our charger here is a Gallagher and if you look at their charts, it takes quite a bit of 'zap' for goats and sheep. At any rate, the goatmother says to run another wire between the ground and the bottom wire and see how that works. However, she says you might have to get a stronger charger. Oy. No one here has even attempted to go through the fence after that first attempt. And no worries about a stronger charge hurting anyone. The goatmother has backed into ours several times. Oy.Marigoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10109785080000770963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-56545352305328574922011-02-09T09:20:21.318-08:002011-02-09T09:20:21.318-08:00I have no advice on the fencing..but this story wa...I have no advice on the fencing..but this story was hilarious!!! I wonder how long they've been doing this..and just happened to get back to the proper place before you caught them..The fun just never stops on Critter Farm Danni!!Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15846286251992977615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-53185419936148002652011-02-09T08:47:50.909-08:002011-02-09T08:47:50.909-08:00Looks like you and Kai have been outsmarted by you...Looks like you and Kai have been outsmarted by your clever goats. I, of course, have no advice, but I did enjoy this post - it made me smile. -- IngerIngerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02924736131382149056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-19183603838508768012011-02-09T08:15:23.465-08:002011-02-09T08:15:23.465-08:00This reminds me of my first rabbit, who would do a...This reminds me of my first rabbit, who would do anything to get on the other side of something, including chewing through a screen door. Little rascals, how can you not love 'em. I notice the girls in the coop all high tailed it except for the new one...if I'm not mistaken? Sorry, I haven't got all their names down, yet.Carolynn Anctilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12566204713508877389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5845299642721912499.post-22505600339754667012011-02-09T07:41:45.183-08:002011-02-09T07:41:45.183-08:00When we first got our two Nigerians a year ago we ...When we first got our two Nigerians a year ago we were lucky enough to be able to plan and build just for them. We took the advice of a local goat rescue mom to put in a 5 foot, 4x4 mesh with hot wires at the top and bottom both inside and out. Even so we, too, have "debris" at open spaces where the fence is a little too high off the ground. They found those spaces within seconds of arriving. So far, so good. But we are keeping our fingers crossed for when the babies arrive this spring. I wish I had advice for you - Nigerians are so smart and curious but you are lucky yours are so friendly and will come when called. Love your blog!Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06342460226858656324noreply@blogger.com