Main considerations in using goats for vegetation management include adequate fencing, preventing predation, controlling internal parasites, and facilities.

Fencing

Often the cost of fencing is a major limitation to using goats for vegetation management. Sometimes existing fences can be modified cheaply to contain goats. Both conventional fence and electric fencing can be effectively used to fence goats but the use of electric fence requires a commitment to fence maintenance that some managers cannot make. Problems can occur with existing field fence that is of a net wire type with only six inches between vertical strands. Goats will be able to push their heads through the fence but cannot pull their head back through because the horns get caught. The goat will remain trapped in the fence until the manager frees the goat, a predator eats the goat, or the goat dies. To prevent this problem in short sections of fence, every other vertical strand of wire can be clipped with wire cutters. The most workable remedy is installation of several strands of electric fence in front of the net wire to prevent goats from reaching it or the complete removal of field fence and installation of more suitable goat fencing. More information on fencing can be found in the Goat Facilities module.

If five strand barbed wire fencing is present, there are several alternatives which are covered in more detail in a Langston publication on fencing. Two or three strands of barbed wire can be added to the lower part of the fence with stay wires between posts. Goats most commonly escape by going under a fence, so ensure that the lowest strand of wire is within 7 inches of the ground. Washes, water gaps, and wildlife trails under fences need special attention. Modifying a barbed wire fence in this fashion is fairly cost effective, but requires significant labor. Another alternative is to use one or two strands of electric fence low to the ground about a foot in front of a five strand barbed wire fence. Step-in posts or fiberglass sucker rod posts can be used. Stand-off insulators work well but tend to be expensive. Solar powered chargers can work well in remote areas; although they are less powerful and more expensive for the same output as plug-in fence chargers. A plug-in fence charger is more reliable than a solar unit and should be used if possible.

If no fence is present, goat net wire fence can be installed. This type of fencing is called 10-47-12 Sheep and Goat Wire. It has 10 horizontal strands, is 47 inches high, and has a 12 inch spacing of vertical wires. There are two versions of this fence, a standard low tensile type that is easily bent, and a newer, high tensile version in which the wire is difficult to bend and will to some extent spring back to its original shape. This high tensile version offers the advantage of retaining its shape if something moderately heavy, such as tree branches, falls on it. Installing high tensile fence requires more skill than the conventional version and corner posts must be well set.

Electric fencing is another option for goat producers. Four strands of electric fence 30 inches high have been proven to effectively hold goats. Some producers have used only 3 strands, but this is less secure. A variety of posts and insulators are available. There are three rules for the successful use of electric fence: 1) correct installation using quality materials; 2) train animals to the fence; and 3) check the fence voltage every day. Find someone who has successfully used electric fence to assist with selection of materials and provide proper construction techniques and recommendations. Animals can be trained to an electric fence by having the electric fence across the corner of a trap or pen that is goat proof. Another method of training goats to an electric fence is to suspend aluminum soft drink cans on the fence from top to bottom (dipping in molasses is optional). The cans will attract curious goats to test the fence and the goats will learn to respect it. By checking the fence daily to ensure a current of at least 4,500 volts, problems will be found and fixed before animals discover the fence is not “hot” and escape.

Predators

Predators are a serious problem when using goats for vegetation management as locations are often remote with habitat that provides natural cover for predators. Guard animals put with the goats can prevent predator attack. The number of guard animals needs to be sufficient to cover the area and terrain in which the goats are kept. If guard dogs are used, plans need to be made for feeding them. They can be fed using self feeders, but the goats need to be excluded from the feeder because goats can founder on dog food. Further, pet foods may contain ruminant by-products that are prohibited by law from being fed to other ruminant species, including goats. This is to prevent occurrences of transmissable spongiform encephalopathies, the most commonly known one being “mad cow disease” or BSE, from occurring in domesticated ruminants. Other information on guard animals can be found in the modules on Livestock Guardian Dogs and Predator Control.

Parasites

Parasite problems are generally considerably less when using goats for vegetation management than when grazing conventional pastures. This is due to goats browsing and consuming feed that is above ground level. Many browse species also contain tannins which aid in parasite control. However, if the goats are patch grazing grass, they can develop serious parasite problems. If high stocking rates are used relative to available vegetation goats will be forced to graze close to the ground. Goats that are losing weight are more susceptible to parasites. Good management practices will include some type of parasite monitoring procedure such as fecal egg counts or visual examination of the mucous membranes, both detailed in the module on Internal & External Parasites of Goats.

Facilities

Goats being used for vegetation control in the southern United States typically need little shelter. Often goats have enough shade and shelter from the rain by utilizing cover from existing trees during the summer. Goats need shelter from the wind during the winter which may be accomplished with a gully, pond bank, brushy mott, or brush pile. Standing brush or cedars can also provide shelter. Does should be bred to kid late enough in the spring so that shelter is not required. Does can kid in the field with minimal assistance. In northern climates, shelter may be necessary due to the cold weather. Goats have relatively little subcutaneous fat and are subject to being chilled. Some goat producers in northern climates kid in the barn before pastures emerge and release does and kids to pasture when it begins to grow. These producers often kid in small pens or “jugs” and after animals have bonded return them to the herd. This is labor intensive but some producers have learned to do it efficiently.

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