If your hens keep sneaking into the garden and your goats see fences as fun challenges, you’re not alone. The good news: with a little planning, you can build one setup that keeps everyone safe and where they belong.
Welcome to a simple, step-by-step guide to fencing for chickens and goats. We’ll cut through the jargon and show you what actually works for beginners: how tall your fence should be, the best mesh sizes to stop sneaky beaks and nimble hooves, and when to choose welded wire, woven wire, poultry netting, or electric netting. You’ll learn how to lay out a pen, set sturdy posts and corners, add gates that don’t sag, and use easy predator-proofing tricks for digging, climbing, and flying. We’ll also cover portable options for rotational grazing, budget-friendly materials, safe electric add-ons, and a simple maintenance routine.
By the end, you’ll have a clear shopping list and a weekend-ready plan to build a reliable fence without wasting money or time—just practical, beginner-friendly steps that protect your flock, contain your goats, and bring peace back to your yard.
Understanding Fencing Basics
Fence types and prep
For beginner-friendly reliability, the standouts are woven wire (no‑climb) and electric systems, often combined so you get a physical barrier plus a psychological one. A durable favorite is galvanized woven wire with 2″x4″ openings that blocks chicken escapes and goat head‑entrapment; see this woven no‑climb fence for goats, sheep, and chickens. Electric options include poultry netting for active, flighty birds and 3–5 high‑tensile strands for goats, and adoption is rising—global agricultural fencing revenue hit about USD 33.46 billion in 2025, U.S. animal electric fencing reached roughly USD 158.47 million, and smart energizers cut farm security breaches by up to 30%. 1) Map your perimeter, predator risks, and whether you need permanent lines or portable paddocks. 2) Gather materials: 12.5‑gauge woven wire, T‑posts or wood posts, braces, gates, plus an energizer (0.5–1.0 joule per 1–2 acres), insulators, three 6–8 ft ground rods, and poultry netting or high‑tensile wire. 3) Prep tools: post driver, wire stretcher, voltmeter, and a trimmer to keep vegetation off hot wires.
Heights, spacing, and installation steps
- For chickens, aim for a 5–6 ft barrier; 2″x4″ mesh plus a hot top wire discourages climbers. 5) For goats, choose 48–60 in woven wire or 4–5 high‑tensile strands at roughly 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 in. Keep openings no larger than 2″x4″ to stop kids slipping through and prevent horn entanglement. Space posts 8–12 ft for woven wire (closer on curves) and 30–50 ft for high‑tensile electric with droppers. Tension woven wire firmly and maintain 5,000–8,000 volts on electric lines; trim vegetation to prevent shorts. Expected outcome: a safe, low‑escape fencing plan for chickens and goats that streamlines chores, resists predators, and scales with your flock and herd.
Materials and Tools Needed
Step-by-step: prerequisites, materials, and tools
- Measure your perimeter, note terrain and utilities (call 811 in the U.S.), and decide on a combo of 2″x4″ woven no‑climb plus electric assist—the most reliable fencing for chickens and goats. 2. Size the power: choose a low‑impedance energizer delivering 4–6 kV on the fence, plan three 6–8 ft ground rods, and clear vegetation along the line. 3. Gather materials: woven wire or poultry netting, 3–5 polywire strands if not using net, galvanized T‑posts and corner wood posts, gates, staples/clips, UV‑rated insulators, lightning diverter, lead‑out cable, and a digital voltmeter. 4. Assemble tools: measuring wheel, string line, post‑hole digger or auger, T‑post driver, wire stretcher, cutters, crimping tool, level, and safety gear. Expected outcome: a secure perimeter that goats respect at 6,000–8,000 V and chickens at 3,000–5,000 V.
Where to purchase
Buy core supplies at farm stores and co‑ops (posts, gates, rolls) and order energizers, netting, and smart monitors online. For vetted packages, see electric fence and netting options for goats at Premier 1 Supplies. Availability is strong: the U.S. animal electric fencing market was about USD 158.47 million in 2025, within a USD 33.46 billion global agricultural fencing market. Consider smart controllers that text voltage alerts; farms report up to 30% fewer security breaches in 2025, giving beginners peace of mind. Read reviews for joule ratings, warranty length, and weatherproofing.
Cost and budgeting tips
For a simple 200‑ft setup, budget roughly $180–$400 for woven wire or $170–$260 per 164‑ft electric poultry net, $60–$160 for posts, $100–$250 for a gate, $120–$300 for an energizer, and $80–$170 for grounding, insulators, and hardware. Save by renting an auger, spacing T‑posts 8–10 ft on level ground, and batch‑ordering staples and clips. Add 10–15% contingency for braces and rocky holes. Step-by-step outcome: with materials staged, you’ll set posts, stretch wire, hang the gate, connect the energizer, confirm 4–6 kV with a voltmeter, and safely turn in birds and goats the same day.
Step-by-Step Fencing Guide
Plan and plot your lines
With utilities already marked, grab a measuring wheel and stakes to map your perimeter accurately. 1) Walk the intended fence line, placing a stake every 50 feet and at all corners, then snap mason’s line to visualize straight runs and gate openings. 2) Note slopes—on hills, plan tighter post spacing (8–10 feet) and use more braces at direction changes to keep tension even. 3) Calculate materials: a 200‑foot side with 10‑foot spacing needs about 22 line posts plus two corner posts; add 5–10% extra for waste. For small flocks and herds, plan at least one 12‑ to 14‑foot gate for equipment and one 4‑ to 6‑foot people gate near the coop or shelter so daily chores are efficient.
Install woven wire (no‑climb)
Woven no‑climb with 2″x4″ openings (48–52 inches tall) is a proven physical barrier for fencing for chickens and goats. 4) Set corners first: sink 6–8 inch round posts 36–42 inches deep (deeper than frost line), build H‑braces with an 8‑foot spreader and diagonal brace wire. 5) Drive line posts (T‑posts or 4‑5 inch wood) 8–12 feet apart; closer on curves. 6) Unroll the mesh on the outside of posts, keep the bottom just kissing the ground, and tension with a come‑along and stretcher bar until the verticals stand straight. For predator resistance, add a 12–18 inch hardware‑cloth apron flared outward or bury the bottom 6 inches where digging is common.
Add electric assist
Electric strands provide a psychological barrier, especially for flighty birds and nimble goats. 7) Install one hot wire 6 inches above ground (predators), another at 10–12 inches (goat nose height), and a top hot at 40–42 inches to deter climbing and perching. 8) Use a low‑impedance energizer; for small paddocks, 0.5–1.0 joule is plenty, and ground with three 6–8 foot rods spaced 10 feet apart. A digital tester should read 5–7 kV; 7 kV helps foil nighttime predators. Electric systems are surging—USD 158.47 million in the U.S. animal electric fencing market and USD 33.46 billion globally in 2025—because they work.
Secure, gate, and smart checks
Staple woven wire with 1.5–2 inch galvanized staples driven diagonally to the wood grain; don’t crush the wire—let it float to flex. 9) Hang gates on braced posts, set 2–3 inches off the ground, and add a ground‑level hot wire across openings with insulated handles. 10) Finish with a perimeter walk: check tension, clip ties every 12–18 inches, and trim any sharp ends. Smart monitors and cellular energizers can alert you to shorts or breaches and have shown up to 30% fewer security incidents in 2025; see the roundup of 2025 fencing tech trends. Expect a taut, predator‑resistant mesh plus a hot deterrent that keeps goats honest and chickens safe—ready for daily use and easy maintenance.
Tips for Maintaining Your Fence
Routine upkeep: quick checks that prevent big repairs
Think of fence care as a short weekly habit that keeps everything tight, hot, and safe for mixed herds. Gather basics first: a voltmeter/fence tester, fence pliers, spare insulators, crimp sleeves/Gripples, a hand winch or come‑along, and a weed trimmer. Then follow these steps: 1) Walk the line weekly and eyeball posts, staples, and 2″x4″ woven no‑climb stretches for sags. 2) Test your electric every 100–200 feet—aim for 4–6 kV for goats and at least 3 kV for poultry netting. 3) Trim vegetation under hot wires to prevent shorts. 4) Clear debris from corners/gates where goats rub and chickens congregate. 5) Log readings so you spot trends early. Expected outcome: fewer escapes, longer hardware life, and a safer yard—smart, since the U.S. animal electric fencing market hit about USD 158.47 million in 2025 within a USD 33.46 billion global ag fencing space.
Finding and fixing common problems
When voltage drops, troubleshoot in order: 1) Disconnect fence zones to isolate the short, starting near the energizer. 2) Inspect insulators for cracks, especially at corners and gateways; replace any sun‑brittle parts. 3) Retension woven wire with a stretcher board if squares deform, and crimp broken strands with sleeves rather than twisting. 4) Patch chew points and push‑outs where goats test the mesh, and cover chicken‑sized gaps with a small 2″x4″ panel. If predators dig, lay an apron of wire 12 inches outward at the base. Expected outcome: restored voltage, square mesh, and fewer weak points that animals learn to exploit.
Seasonal tune‑ups (winter, mud, and heat)
Before snowfall, raise the bottom hot wire an inch or two to avoid snow bridging, add a lightning diverter, and tighten gate latches; after thaw, re‑plumb frost‑heaved posts. In spring, treat rust spots, re‑staple loose sections, and mow alleys to reduce grounding. Summer brings heavy growth—string‑trim monthly and verify chargers still deliver target kV under load. In fall, swap cracked insulators and test ground rods after dry spells. Consider remote monitors—smart fencing solutions that cut breaches by about 30% in 2025—to get alerts before animals find a gap, especially useful in fencing for chickens and goats.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Quick diagnosis: common fence failures and fixes
Prerequisites: fence voltmeter, spare insulators, crimp sleeves, splice kit, post level, and gloves. The most common issues in fencing for chickens and goats are low voltage, sagging wire, and gaps at gates or under rails. Step 1: test voltage at the energizer, mid-line, and far end; you want 5,000–8,000 volts for effective predator deterrence and goat respect—if you’re below 4,000, animals will test it. Step 2: isolate sections (unclip jumpers) to find ground faults, then remove vegetation touching hot wires, which often causes sudden drops after rain. Step 3: rework grounding—add an extra 6–8 ft rod spaced at least 10 ft from the first and water the soil in dry spells. Step 4: re-tension 2″x4″ woven no-climb and close “crawl-under” spots with a low hot wire 6 inches above ground. Expected outcome: steady voltage across all runs, tight fabric, and no obvious escape or entry points; this combo of electric plus woven wire is a proven top option for mixed flocks and herds.
Wildlife interference: deter diggers, jumpers, and climbers
Materials: 14–16 ga wire, T-post insulators, galvanized staples, and hardware cloth. Foxes, coyotes, and raccoons dig; deer jump; dogs push—address each behavior. Step 1: add an outward-facing apron (12–24 inches) of wire or hardware cloth at ground level, stapled to the fence base, to stop digging. Step 2: install an offset hot wire 6 inches outside the fence at 6–8 inches high to deliver an immediate “nose shock.” Step 3: add a top hot wire or standoff 6 inches above your woven wire (48 inches is a good physical height for goats) and flag it with tape for visibility to deer. Step 4: for aerial and climbing threats near coops, run a hot strand around the roofline and secure doors with predator-proof latches. Expected outcome: fewer dig attempts, less fence climbing, and reduced nighttime pressure on birds.
Boosting security with tech
Prerequisites: smart energizer with app, remote fault finder, solar/battery monitor, and a cellular trail camera. Step 1: swap to a connected energizer and set low-voltage alerts; farms using smart fencing report up to 30% fewer security breaches as of 2025. Step 2: map zones in the app so alerts tell you exactly where a fault occurs, speeding repairs. Step 3: add a camera at high-pressure spots (gates, corners) and set motion notifications for predators. Step 4: log weekly voltage trends; a sudden dip flags a problem before escapes happen. Expected outcome: faster response, better uptime, and a safer perimeter—right in line with the industry’s tech shift (the U.S. animal electric fencing market reached about USD 158.47 million in 2025 within a global agricultural fencing revenue near USD 33.46 billion).
Advanced Fencing Solutions
Virtual and smart fencing at a glance
Smart systems add brains to the muscle of traditional fences. For goats, GPS‑enabled virtual fencing collars let you draw app boundaries; animals learn with audio cues before any mild stimulus, so you can rotate browse without hauling panels. Chickens aren’t a fit for fully virtual fencing yet, but smart electric setups—app‑monitored energizers, solar chargers, and camera alerts—keep a hot perimeter around 2″x4″ woven no‑climb with an offset hot wire. The combo works because electric controls active birds and nimble goats, and woven wire blocks climbs and squeezes. In 2025, smart monitoring delivered up to 30% fewer breaches, and U.S. animal electric fencing reached USD 158.47 million within a USD 33.46 billion global market.
Step-by-step: Launch your smart setup
Prerequisites: cell coverage at the fence line and a safe training paddock. Materials: smart energizer with Bluetooth/Wi‑Fi, solar kit, GPS goat collars, 2″x4″ woven or poultry netting, fence voltmeter.
- Draw virtual boundaries at least 15 feet inside hazards and save a backup “rain plan.”
- Fit collars and supervise 3–5 days while goats learn audio cues; disable stimuli for kids/pregnant does as directed.
- Mount, ground, and pair the smart energizer; set alerts below 5–7 kV and target 7–9 kV on predator wires. Expected outcome: remote visibility, fewer outages, and flexible goat rotations with chickens secure behind a monitored, always‑hot perimeter.
Real‑world results
On an 8‑acre hillside with 18 goats, virtual collars replaced 900 feet of seasonal cross‑fencing and cut setup labor ~25%, while a smart perimeter energizer held voltage above 7 kV through storms. Predator pressure matched the 30% reduction trend. In a suburban yard with 60 layers, a 2″x4″ woven fence plus a hot offset and app monitoring kept lines “hot” 96% of the time over 60 days, with one fox attempt and no breach. Bottom line: owners reported faster fault‑finding, fewer repairs, and sturdier fencing for chickens and goats.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
We covered planning your lines, pairing 2″x4″ woven no‑climb with a hot strand, bracing corners, securing gates, grounding well, and doing weekly voltage checks. Key takeaway: electric controls flighty chickens and pushy goats; woven mesh prevents squeezers and climbers. Smart upgrades are now practical, cutting breaches by about 30% in 2025, and investment is mainstream (U.S. animal electric fencing ~USD 158.47M; global ag fencing ~USD 33.46B). In short, fencing for chickens and goats works best as a layered system you inspect often and improve over time. Here’s an action plan:
- Prerequisites: walk the perimeter, note predator pressure, confirm power or solar, check local codes; aim for 4,000–7,000 V on the hot wire.
- Materials: 2″x4″ woven wire, treated posts and braces, 12.5‑ga smooth hot wire, quality insulators, an energizer sized to fence length (1–3 J for small setups), 3 ground rods, voltmeter.
- Expected outcome: tighter containment, fewer escapes, faster rotations, and a clear path to add GPS collars or fence monitoring later.
Assess your setup this week and schedule one upgrade.