Marvin Shurley – American Meat Goat Association

Unit Objective

After completion of this module of instruction, the producer should be able to state requirements for containing goats within a fenced area and consider advantages of using certain types of fencing materials over other types. The producer should be able to consider different designs for converting or acquiring feeders that work well on a goat farm and to modify natural watering systems for the maximum consumption by the goat herd. The producer should be able to evaluate the existing facility and to identify the changes that will be necessary to maximize the use of the facility for a profitable and efficient goat operation. The producer should be able to complete all assignments with 100% accuracy and score a minimum of 85% on the module test.

Specific Objectives

After completion of this instructional module the producer should be able to:

1. State why it is difficult to control goats with fencing.
2. State one of the most important factors to consider with fence construction.
3. Identify types of conventional fencing.
4. Distinguish between corner and stretch braces.
5. State the appropriate distance for placing stretch braces.
6. Select the appropriate post spacing for wood or pipe post and for T-post.
7. Select acceptable spacing for mesh wire fences.
8. Identify the woven wire classification and identification numbers.
9. State the purpose of expansion links on net wire.
10. State the appropriate spacing required for an 8- to 10-strand barbed wire fence.
11. State the number of feet in a barbed wire roll and a net wire roll.
12. Identify the least expensive and most portable type of fencing.
13. State some advantages of using electric fencing.
14. Identify the number wires needed for an electric fence.
15. State ways for converting existing cattle fence to a goat containment fence.
16. Select from list equipment and tools necessary for installing fences.
17. Identify important feed trough design considerations.
18. State the amount of linear troughs space needed per goat.
19. Identify type of facility that is ideal for feed storage.
20. Identify appropriate design for mineral feeders.
21. Identify appropriate considerations for goats wind break and shade.
22. Identify the preferred type of flooring for a barn or shed for housing goats.
23. Identify the space requirements per square foot per animal to be housed.
24. State the most important nutrient for livestock.
25. Identify acceptable and unacceptable water and watering standards for goats.
26. State the water requirements per day for goats.
27. Identify the different types of pens needed for a goat operation.
28. Survey the existing farm and identify the specific changes that will be needed to contain the goat herd and to modify the pens, barns, feed troughs and watering system.

Module Contents

• Conventional fencing
  • Guidelines and materials for constructing conventional fencing
• Woven or mesh wire
• 8- to 10-strand barbed wire fence
• Electric fencing
  • Training goats to an electric fence
• Converting existing cattle fence to a goat containment fence
• Equipment needed for fence installation

• Troughs
  • Freestanding troughs
  • Hanging troughs
  • Large capacity feeders
• Hay feeders
• Mineral feeders

• Shade
• Windbreaks
• Barns and sheds
  • Shed design
  • Size

• Source and quality
• Water requirements

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