[Roxy]

Just had a phone call from the lady who bought my two large British Alpine girls at weekend.  She kept them in while they settled, as I advised her, then let them out in a small area, and they were fine.  A couple of days ago they went into their permanent paddock, and this morning they went out and got under the fence, into next doors big field.  I did say that the fencing for goats has to be good, and they were checking all obvious routes.

I have told her not to chase the goats, that will make them worse.  We used to shake a tub of goat mix and shout come on goats, at night, and they all came running in with no problem.  I have told her to do this, but this was a couple of hours ago, and have not heard any more. She did say she would ring me when they had got them back.  She is 6 months pregnant, so not really good for her to be chasing goats.  The only other thing I can suggest is gently herding them back to their own field at a slow pace.  I would say, come nightfall, they will return of their own free will.

I do feel awful, as they are first time goat keepers.  They have been talking to the goats, gaining their trust, and now this happens.  But any goat keeper knows, if fences are not good enough for goats, they will find an escape route.  There is plenty of grass on their own side, but as always, the grass is always greener

[Declan]

Roxy- what do you call a "good fence"

I have my field stock proof fence all round with 2 strands of barb wire on top. Is there anything else I should be thinking about.

[Roxy]

I have always had stock netting with two rows of plain wire on top, and at my old house, it was wired up to the mains electric as an extra safeguard!!  In one of my fields I have wooden rails all along the top of the wire.  The problem is, that some goats put their feet on the stock netting, causing it to sag, and then if they are able, they can nip through the gap between the sagging wire and the top wires.  If I am in any doubt, a row of electric fence tape on the inside of the stock netting, about half way up, is a deterrent.  You also have to watch, that there is no gap along the bottom of the fence, as goats are good belly dancers as well as show jumpers!!

Just rang for an update - goats are still at large in next doors field.  He has admitted that he did chase them this morning when they first got out, so that will not help.  He is worried they will go and get in the village (and its a posh select one too!)  I have told him, that from what I could see, the field they are in has plenty of grass, and they will probably stay there.  They have been eating a lot, and then sheltering from the sun under the trees, and nibbling branches.

I just told him that hopefully they will be so full, they will be unable to run, and he can carry them home!!  Seriously, I do hope he gets them home safely. 

[woollyval]

Roxy- what do you call a "good fence"

I have my field stock proof fence all round with 2 strands of barb wire on top. Is there anything else I should be thinking about.

Dwclan.....Please...never ever use barbed wire as the top strands I have seen goats with teats ripped off after having jumped a fence with barbed wire on top and caught their udders.....the thought of what I have seen from barbed wirew makes me shiver.....and also a horse who nearly lost a leg the same way.....needed hundreds of stitches.....was always very lame and eventually put down

Always use plain wire and a strand of electrified plain wire on top on insulators that protrude the goats side, this will stop them standing on the fence as they will get pinged if they do, and combined with well tensioned stock wire to prevent limbo dancing will keep all goats put.

[ballingall]

Oh, sorry to hear of the escapees Roxy, and when you had found them a lovely home as well! I am sure they will go happily back to their shed this evening when it gets dark.

Fingers crossed.

Beth

[Roxy]

I rang again at 6pm, and they were still out in the big field.  Sounds like they were enjoying their freedom, sampling the branches, and standing under the big tree out of the sun!!!  During that conversation they did admit that they had chased the goats this morning, and then realised that was probably wrong.  I spoke with the husband this time, and he asked would a sheepdog be useful to herd them back in .....NO!!

I would have gone over tonight (its about 15 miles away) but both vehicles we have have broken down this week, so we are carless!!  I assume the goats are still at large.

[langdon]

i do agree with roxy declan, i removed the barb wire where we have put our goats in
it is a nasty thing when goats are around.

[little blue]

... oh dear indeed!
Not what you want when the goats don't know them, I've been there and been lucky!!