Pygmy Goats are adorable, friendly little creatures and they are a joy to have as pets. However, pet owners should note that they can be tricky to take care of – especially when it comes to keeping them safe on your property.
That’s why there are strict pygmy goat fence requirements that you should take heed of when it comes to building a pen for your new friend. Here is some advice to help ensure that you build a functional fence that will keep your pygmy goats safe and content.
How Tall Should A Pygmy Goat’s Fence Be?
Pygmy Goats are known for being quite the talented escape artists, and they are susceptible to larger predators out in the wild. So, it is important that your fence is high enough to not only keep them from getting out but also to keep other animals from getting in.
A four-foot or five-foot fence should be sufficient; however, it will depend on the type of predators that are in your area. If there is a big threat of danger, then it is important to opt for a taller fence. However, four-feet is always the minimum height to ensure that your pygmy goats cannot escape.
How Wide Should the Fence Be?
The amount of space that you should allocate to your pygmy goats will depend on how many you have. These animals need about 20 square feet to feel comfortable and at home. So, ensure that you have enough space on your property to accommodate the number of pygmy goats that you have.
Remember – as you acquire more goats, you will have to expand your fence. This means that you will have to plan ahead based on the amount of free space you have on your property. Consider how many goats you would like to have within the next couple of years and ensure that you’ll be able to expand your fence accordingly as time goes on.
Selecting The Right Wire For Your Fence
While wood may be the most attractive option for your pygmy goat fence, wire is the ideal material to use. Hardware stores and pet shops tend to sell 4-inch x 4-inch ��goat fencing’ wire, but this is not a great solution for pygmy goats. If they have babies, the kids will be very small and it will be easy for them to slip through this material.
So, you should find smaller fencing that is 2-inch x by 4-inch. This will make it more difficult to smaller goats to get through and bigger goats are unlikely to get their heads stuck between the wires.
Don’t Forget To Install Fence Wire on the Inside Of the Fence, Too
It isn’t enough to have the wire built around the outside of your fencing posts. It should also be installed along the inside.
This is because pygmy goats tend to lean on the fence and put pressure on it. When they do this, they can push the staples out, break the fence and escape. So, ensure that you have enough wire to do a second layer along the inside of your fence posts.
Choosing A Gate For Your Pygmy Goat Pen
You’ll need to get in and out of the pen easily, so the first step in installing the gate is to plan your access points well. Secondly, you should ensure that you buy the strongest gate that you can afford. Since your goats know that you’ll be entering from that gate, they will run to it when you come to greet them.
As friendly and eager pets, they will poke their noses through the gate and attempt to jump on it in anticipation of meeting you. Go for a metal or steel gate that will be strong enough to handle this pressure.
What Should I Keep Inside of the Fence?
Pasture planning is an important part of building your pygmy fence. Your pasture should contain all sorts of tasty treats for your goats, including orchard grass, milkweed, broad-leafed plants and timothy.
You should also consider getting plenty of ��toys’ for your pygmy goats to play with. See-saws, tables, stairs, tires and slides are all great items to have in your pygmy goat fence as they love to climb. Ensure that they area nearer to the middle of the pen, so your goats can’t use them as boosts to jump over the fence. These are all affordable items that you can build yourself or acquire from a hardware store.
What About Electrified Fences?
Electrified fences are quite controversial, and you don’t typically need one unless you have dangerous predators around the area. You can install electrified fencing above your fence and along the outside to discourage any curious predators from sneaking into your pen. This keeps your pygmy goats safe and they aren’t in any danger of hurting themselves, either.
Alternatively, you can use wire mesh for extra protection against predators. If there is a chance that you or your guests may accidentally touch the electrified area from time to time, wire mesh is a better option that keeps everyone safe.
Do I Need A Shed Inside My Pygmy Goat Fence?
You should have a shed inside of your fence that will provide shelter during inclement weather. You don’t want your goats getting sick or injured in a thunderstorm, and a shed will keep them safe during these conditions. It also provides a place for them to sleep at night when it gets cold.
For each goat, you should have a space of four-feet by 5-feet inside of the shed. The floor should be lined with hay to provide a comfortable place to sleep, and you should ensure that the shed is well ventilated but that is it also draft-free. To purchase a high-quality goat shed, you will have to spend a couple hundred dollars, so be sure to factor this in when buying your fencing materials.
Conclusion
By following the above advice, you’ll be able to build a functional fence for your pets. These pygmy goat fence requirements will help to ensure that they are safe from harm, comfortable and happy.
Remember to examine your fence often to ensure that there are no tears for your goats to escape through, and always purchase new items for the inside to keep them entertained!
For a complete step by step guide on how you can build a shelter for your pygmy goat, check out Ryan Henderson shed plan, where you can Start building amazing sheds the easier way with a collection of 12,000 shed plans.
