So far, we have only found two methods of containment effective in keeping Blaise, our Nigerian buck, where we want him.
First here are some methods we have tried, and Blaise has proved pointless, but that may work for your buck.
Electric Goat Netting
This image was taken while Blaise could still be contained with a single roll of electric sheep and goat fencing
Since we use electric netting for all our other animals and had plenty on hand, we tried putting up one 100' roll with another 100' roll about 4' away. What happened? Blaise did a little walking back and forth and cleared both fences.
So, we tried moving the outer fence closer and then farther, but it was always either close enough for him to clear both fences or far enough for him to be able to jump over the first and then jump the next fence.
Next, we tried running electric wire between the two fences in a zig-zag pattern.
That was no deterrent once he got more determined, but it would keep him in for about half a day in the beginning. After about a week he was uncontrollably leaping the fence as soon as we put him back from escaping, so, we ordered 7' fiberglass posts from premier1supplies.com and ran an electric strand (6 actually) to create a 7' 3D electric fence. What did Blaise do? He ran around for about 15 min and then ran through the netting blasting a hole and ruining the netting fence!
Just a note: it was not that the fencing was poorly working or low voltage, he had just become desensitized to the shock because we didn't use to test the fences frequently and so in the past, he had only received a low or no shock at all. We now try to test fences every night.
We had no other quick fix option at the moment then tying him to a tree. Tying a goat only works if you have a tree or post with nothing that he can wrap himself up around or in (such as bushes, other trees, fences, just about anything 3 dimensional.) your buck must also have horns. If your buck is hornless, you should never use a collar as he will choke himself trying to get free. Click here to find out why we recommend you never dehorn goats or own polled goats.
While tying worked to control Blaise, he yelled and ran in circles all day, not to mention that he crushed all the water buckets we gave him up against the tree he was tied to.
So, what do we do now? We put up a 50'x50' fence of 4'woven field fencing and then on top of that we put another 3' welded wire fence to make a 7' tall fence. We also ran 3 strands of electric wire to keep him from being able to rub or push on the wire fence.
We used two different types of fencing because the woven wire is sturdier than the welded and we needed the extra strength at the bottom but didn't want to use expensive fencing as the 3' top layer. This fence has worked very well, but I will tell you that it was expensive and took days to put up. However, we do not regret that we did it.
I would highly recommend that if your animals are in electric fences that the fences are always on and are at least 3000k volts. It is so worth it. If you keep the electric nets properly energized at all times, they will keep even male goats in. Animals can escape or get injured or killed from non-energized electric nets.
Something to keep in mind when fencing animals, we typically spend 15 minutes to a half hour with the animals three times a day, doing chores, or checking on them. But the animals are in their pens 24/7 (well, that’s how we would want it to be) they have a lot more time to notice weak points in fencing and challenge them.
Even a few strands of wire can keep does in when energized properly
So, keeping your buck occupied may reduce the amount of time he is trying to escape. Putting objects in his pen for him to climb on and jump off may help.
This is Blaise's home and play structure
Some male goats like having another goat in the pen with them, but Blaise is not in that category! If you try putting another goat with your buck, keep a good eye on them, frustrated male goats can be dangerous.
If you found this blog helpful or have a buck and have found a simpler way to contain him, please let us know!
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