If you’ve ever kept goats (or even just met one at a petting zoo), you know they’re basically mischievous four-legged escape artists with boundless energy. 

In this article, we’ll explore the best goat fencing, feeders, and play structures to keep your caprine friends safe, well-fed, and happily entertained. 

Let’s hop right in (before the goats hop out)! 

Goat Fencing

Keeping goats securely fenced is priority number one – both for their safety and your garden’s sanity. 

Goats are notorious for testing boundaries (literally); they’ll lean, rub, and wiggle through any weak spot they find. 

A good goat fence needs to be sturdy, fairly tall (at least 4 feet for most breeds), and possibly electrified or very tight, because a bored goat can become a hairy Houdini. 

Below we break down two popular fencing approaches: portable electro-net fencing and solid welded-wire panels. Each has its perks, so you can choose what suits your homestead best.

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Electro-net Fencing Kits

Electrified net fencing is a favorite for many small farms – it’s basically a mesh net with built-in posts that you can move around. 

This is great for rotational grazing or temporary pens. The electric bite (a mild shock) keeps goats from challenging the fence, and as a bonus it deters predators too. 

Installation is usually a breeze: step in the posts, hook up a fence charger, and voila, goat fort Knox (just remember to keep the grass trimmed under the fence so it doesn’t short out). 

Here are a few well-regarded electro-net kits worth checking out:

Gallagher Electric Net Fence (35” x 164’) – Portable goat security.

The Gallagher electric netting is a heavy-duty braided polywire fence that’s highly visible (white/orange) and easy to set up and move.

It doesn’t come with an energizer, but many homesteaders pair it with a solar charger. Gallagher’s net is reusable and durable, so it stands up to goat antics and weather.

This kit is frequently chosen by backyard goat keepers who want reliability – it’s a bit of an investment, but a quality fence is cheaper than chasing goats down the road!

Pet & Livestock HQ 48” x 164’ Semi-Rigid Netting – An upgraded net fence.

The Pet & Livestock HQ kit comes with 19 built-in posts (with double spikes) and boasts a semi-rigid design.

That means the fence stays upright better when goats lean on it, making installation and takedown easier (less tangling – a nice perk because wrestling a floppy electric net will test your patience).

It’s on the pricier side, but known for durability and ease of use. If you plan on moving the fence often, this one is worth a look to save yourself some hassle.

Farmily Portable Electric Net (35” x 164’) – Budget-friendly and effective.

The Farmily electric fencing net is a more affordable option that still gets the job done for containing those caprine troublemakers.

It includes the step-in posts and is designed for sheep/goats.

While the materials may be a tad less robust than the premium brands, many goat owners report it works well – especially for relatively flat terrain and short-term rotational grazing.

Just add a charger and ground rod, and you’ve got an instant goat pen that you can relocate as needed.

Electro-net tips: Always tension the corners and consider using a few extra posts or support rods if the fence sags on hilly ground. A properly electrified net teaches goats to respect boundaries quickly (one curious nose zap is usually enough!).

Welded-Wire Panel Options

Welded-wire fencing (often in rigid panels or heavy rolls) is the more permanent, heavy-duty solution. Unlike netting, these won’t flex or collapse when a goat scratches an itch on them.

Wire panels are great for fixed pens, goat yards, or perimeter fencing. They can take a beating and generally require little maintenance once installed.

Typically, homesteaders use 4- or 5-foot-high panels with a grid small enough that goats can’t shimmy through (4×4 inch openings or smaller to prevent horned heads getting stuck – because a goat with its head stuck in a fence will bleat dramatically until you come to the rescue!).

Here are some top products and approaches for welded-wire style fencing:

Rite Farm Products Aluminum Goat Panels – Modular and strong.

If you want ready-made panels that pin together, the Rite Farm aluminum panel is a high-quality option.

Each panel is 5 feet long, 40 inches high, with 6 horizontal rails – built specifically for goats and sheep. They’re lightweight (aluminum) but sturdy, and won’t rust.

Installation is basically hooking the panels together – no special tools needed, and you can reconfigure or move the pen later.

These panels are on the expensive side (they’re a professional-grade product, often sold in multi-packs for pens or corrals), but they’ll last years and are easy to set up.

If you’re building a secure enclosure and don’t mind the investment, this is a “buy once, cry once” solution.

Gisafai 16-Gauge Welded Wire Roll (48” x 100’) – Flexible fencing by the roll.

For a more DIY approach, the Gisafai welded wire fence is a popular choice. It’s a 4-foot tall, 2”x4” grid mesh in a 100-foot roll – made of galvanized 16-gauge wire.

You’ll need to set up posts (wooden or metal T-posts) and unroll & attach the wire, but it creates a solid barrier for goats.

The 2×4 inch openings are small enough to keep most goats from poking their heads through, and the galvanized wire stands up to weather.

This option shines if you have an irregular area to fence or want a more permanent perimeter.

It’s also relatively affordable per foot. Just be sure to tension it well and secure it to sturdy posts; a determined goat can bend flimsy stakes, so go with heavy fence posts spaced appropriately.

Combination Approach (Panels + Mesh) 

Some goat owners use rigid cattle or goat panels (the 16-foot-long steel ones) for high-pressure areas (like around feeders or shelter, where goats push the most), and use woven or welded wire rolls for larger spans.

You might use panels for a gate section or corner structure and mesh fencing for the rest. The key is to ensure everything is well-secured: wire tied, clipped, or screwed to posts, with no gapping sections.

Goats are clever – if there’s a loose end or a wobbly panel, they’ll exploit it.

So tighten those bolts and keep an eye out for climbing attempts (yep, some goats will climb a fence like it’s a ladder if the texture allows!).

Welded-wire tips: Add a strand of hot wire (electric wire) along the top or nose-height of the fence if you have a chronic jumper or leaner – it can save wear and tear on your nice fencing. Also, plan for a good gate (or two) that’s goat-proof (latches they can’t nudge open).

Goat Feeders

Feeding time can be a chaotic free-for-all if you don’t have the right setup. 

Goats are enthusiastic eaters (to put it mildly) and notorious hay wasters – they’ll pull out hay, drop it on the ground, then refuse to eat the trampled leftovers. 

The solution is using good feeders that make it easy for goats to eat while keeping food off the ground. 

We’ll look at two types of feeders: mineral feeders (for all those essential salts and minerals goats crave) and general hay/grain feeders. 

The goal: keep your goats well-nourished without turning your barn into a hay-strewn mess.

Mineral Feeders

Goats have specific mineral needs (ever seen a goat munching on a random piece of wood or even stripping bark? That’s often a sign they’re seeking minerals).

Providing free-choice minerals (and baking soda for digestion) is a must for goat health, and a dedicated mineral feeder makes this easy.

Mineral feeders are usually small, weather-resistant units that can mount to a wall or fence. They often have covers or are designed to prevent goats from just tipping everything out (goats do love to play with dishes!).

Here are a couple of mineral feeders that homesteaders find handy:

Little Giant 3.5-Quart Mineral Feeder (Double Compartment) – Simple and goat-approved.

The Little Giant mineral feeder is a classic two-compartment feeder made of heavy-duty plastic. It comes with mounting hardware so you can screw it to a wall or fence post about goat-head height.

Each side holds minerals, salt, or even grain treats if you’re feeling generous. What’s great is that it’s durable and inexpensive – this feeder can take a beating from butting and rubbing.

Many backyard goat keepers use these because they keep minerals available but relatively clean (the goats can’t paw at it or knock it over).

Tip: mount it under some cover or in the goat shed to keep rain out, since it doesn’t have a lid.

Kane Poly Mineral Feeder (with Cover) – Weather-resistant option.

The Kane goat mineral feeder is a heavy-duty polyethylene feeder often used for sheep and goats. 

It can be used on the ground or mounted low on a post, and it features a swing-down cover that helps keep rain and debris out of the mineral mix. 

This feeder is built tough – it won’t rust or crack easily, and it’s designed to last for years. 

It’s a bit more expensive than the Little Giant, but because it protects the minerals from getting wet, you won’t end up with a clumpy mess after every storm. 

If your goat area is out in the open, this is definitely worth checking out. (Plus, it’s red – goats probably don’t care about color, but it adds a nice farm vibe!)

Mineral feeder tips: Place the feeder where it’s accessible but not where goats typically relieve themselves. Also, check and refill minerals regularly – goats will eat what they need, and you’ll be surprised how quickly a herd can go through their favorite mix.

General Feeders (Hay & Grain)

“General feeders” for goats usually means hay racks, grain troughs, or combo feeders that handle both.

A good feeder will minimize waste and stand up to goat punishment. Goats are infamous for pulling out hay, so look for designs that encourage them to eat through an opening and not yank huge wads onto the floor.

Also, feeders that mount off the ground keep feed cleaner (no goat poop or pee on dinner, thank you!).

Here are some goat-tested feeder options across various price points:

Little Giant Hook Over Feeder (15 Qt) – Quick and easy grain feeder.

The Little Giant hook-over bucket is a sturdy plastic feeder that literally hooks onto a fence rail or board. It’s about 15 quarts in size (plenty for a flake of hay or a good scoop of grain).

This thing is impact-resistant and has a metal bracket for hanging. It’s great for use in stalls or pastures where you might want to deliver feed and then easily remove the bucket later.

Goats will jostle and bump it, but it holds up well – many folks use these for goats, sheep, even mini horses.

If you have horned goats, consider drilling a small hole through the bracket and tie it down or add a screw, so they don’t flip it off the fence with a well-placed head butt.

Little Giant Galvanized Wall Feeder (2-in-1 Hay & Grain) – Buffet for goats!

The Little Giant combo feeder is a heavy-duty metal feeder that hooks over a fence or wall. It has two parts: a hay rack on top (shaped like a V, to load flakes of hay) and a grain trough on bottom.

This feeder is gold for small goat herds – they can munch hay from the top without pulling the whole thing out, and any little leaf bits that fall get caught in the trough where they can eat them (reducing waste).

Meanwhile, you can also pour grain or pellets into the bottom trough for feeding time. It’s made of galvanized steel so it resists rust and goat abuse.

The hook-over design means you don’t have to permanently mount it (though you can secure it with screws if you want). At about 4 feet long, a couple of goats can eat at once on each side.

It’s a pricier feeder, but definitely “worth the weight” (literally) if you’re tired of hay all over the ground.

Fun fact: goats will often hop up with their front feet on the bottom trough to reach hay – this feeder can handle it, but you might attach it a bit lower for small goats so they don’t have to climb too much.

BUYYAH Heavy-Duty Goat Hay Rack (Wall-Mounted) – For the serious feeder setup.

The BUYYAH 20-Gallon hay feeder is a robust metal feeder that mounts to a wall or fence. It features a fenced-in hay rack (so goats pull hay through the gaps) and a detachable grain tray underneath.

This thing is built of powder-coated iron and is designed to be bolted in place – it’s not going anywhere even if a 200 lb billy decides to head-butt it.

The capacity is large (the hay rack can hold a couple flakes of hay easily). What’s nice is the design keeps goats from standing inside the feeder (a common issue with DIY hay bins).

It’s also relatively compact width-wise, so if you’re short on space in a goat shed, it uses vertical space well. Assembly is straightforward, and once mounted, it’s basically set-and-forget aside from refilling.

If you have multiple goats chowing down, this feeder helps ensure everyone gets a spot at the dinner table without one bully goat flipping the whole thing.

Durability and ease of installation are top-notch here – just be prepared with a drill and some screws for mounting.

General feeder tips: Position hay feeders at about shoulder height of your goats – low enough that they can reach comfortably, but high enough that they (hopefully) won’t jump into the feeder.

Goat Play Structures

Why do goats need play structures? Because a bored goat is a goat plotting its next great escape or mischief! 

Goats are incredibly playful and agile. In the wild (or in larger pastures), they’ll climb on rocks, tree stumps, anything they can find. 

Providing some dedicated play structures in your goat pen keeps them entertained, helps them exercise, and can even reduce destructive behavior (they might climb on your truck if you don’t give them something else). 

We’ll cover a few fun categories: simple toys to keep those goat brains busy, the famous spools (goat parkour platforms!), and other climbing structures you can add. 

A touch of creativity here can make your goat yard look like a caprine playground – happy goats guaranteed.

Toys for Goats

Goat toys can be anything from balls to interactive treat dispensers. The key is durability (goats will chew, stomp, and toss their toys around) and safety (no small pieces they could choke on). 

Often, products made for horses or large dogs work great for goats. 

And don’t underestimate plain old items like an empty plastic pickle barrel – but for now, let’s stick to some items you can snag easily. Here are a few popular goat toys:

Horsemen’s Pride “Jolly Ball” (10-inch) – Headbutt fun in ball form.

The classic Jolly Ball horse toy is a durable large ball with a handle. Originally made for horses to play with, goats find it equally entertaining!

They’ll bunt it with their heads, push it around the pasture, and generally have a blast asserting dominance over the big indestructible “thing.”

The Jolly Ball is awesome because it won’t deflate (it’s one solid piece of material, no air needed) – goats can bite and toss it and it just keeps bouncing back.

It comes in various colors (sometimes even scented). Pro tip: tie a rope through the handle and secure the other end to a fence or post to make a DIY tetherball – your goats might enjoy swinging it and watching it swing back.

Hanging Treat & Hay Ball (Feeder Toy) – Snacks + play = goat heaven.

A combo toy like the Besimple treat ball feeder serves a dual purpose: it keeps goats busy and feeds them treats.

This is a ball you can fill with a bit of hay or chunky treats (like carrot pieces). It hangs from a rope, and goats have to nudge and jostle it to get the goodies out.

It’s basically an enrichment puzzle for them. The ball is made of hard plastic and is designed to handle kicks and headbutts.

Goats will spend quite a while batting it around to score that last piece of hay – which means less time plotting an escape or chewing on your fence posts.

Many goat owners hang these in the barn or in the pen to occupy the herd on rainy days. Just ensure it’s hung at a height where they can nudge it but not get entangled in the rope (safety first!).

Scratch Pad Panels – Goat self-grooming station. 

Ever notice your goats rubbing against the fence or a tree?

They love a good scratch.

The GINDOOR scratcher pad is a cool accessory you can bolt to a post or wall. It’s a textured rubber panel (often sold in packs of two) that lets goats rub their backs, necks, and sides on it for a nice itch relief.

While not a “toy” in the traditional sense, it definitely enriches their environment. Goats find it super satisfying (and it saves your fence from some of that wear and tear).

Installation is easy – a couple screws to hold each panel up. These pads are soft but tough, designed for horses and cows too, so a goat is certainly not going to hurt it.

Consider placing one at goat height and watch them line up for spa day. It’s equal parts useful and hilarious when you see that blissful look of a goat scratching an impossible-to-reach spot.

Spools and Climbing Props

If goats had a holiday wish list, a giant wooden cable spool would be right at the top. 🐐🎁 

These heavy-duty spools (the kind used for industrial cables) are a goat playground classic. They’re sturdy, tough to tip, and just plain fun.

Why goats love them:

• Perfect for jumping, climbing, and king-of-the-hill games
• Cozy nap spots with a good view
• Heavy enough to stay put

Tips & alternatives:

• Check with local electrical companies or construction crews for free/cheap used spools
• Stack multiple spools for variety, or roll one on its side for a DIY tunnel
• Can’t find a spool? Try:
  
  • A sturdy wooden table
  • A DIY pallet platform
  • Anything climbable and stable

Safety notes:

• Secure anything wobbly (goats will test it)
• Use wide bases or bolt things down
• Check for wear, especially on older wooden spools

Goats aren’t picky – they just want to climb stuff. Give them a few solid props and they’ll stay busy (and off your hay feeder… maybe).

Platforms, Ramps & More Climbing Fun

Beyond spools, consider adding ramps, seesaws, or even slides for your goats. 

They are naturally curious and love to climb, so providing various platforms and obstacles keeps them mentally and physically fit. 

You don’t have to build an elaborate treehouse (though I’ve seen goat towers that resemble castles – goat people are wonderfully crazy). 

Here are a couple of ready-made ideas:

PawHut Dog Agility Seesaw (71” Wooden) – Teeter-totter for goats. 

Believe it or not, some goat owners have introduced their herd to a pet agility seesaw – essentially a balance plank that tips when walked on.

This one by PawHut is made for dogs (so it’s low to the ground and fairly wide).

Goats, especially younger or smaller breeds like Nigerian Dwarfs or Pygmies, can actually learn to walk across it and enjoy the movement. It’s weather-resistant fir wood and has a nonslip surface.

Now, not every goat will take to a seesaw (goats have individual personalities – some are brave, some are… total scaredy-cats). But it can be a fun, novel item in the playground.

Even if they just end up using it as a raised platform to hop onto without tipping, it’s serving its purpose. Assembly is straightforward, and since it’s only about a foot off the ground, it’s pretty safe.

Just supervise initially – the first time a goat makes it tip, they might do a cartoonish jump! With time, some goats really love walking the plank, so to speak.

Little Tikes Children’s Slide – Kids (and kids) at play. 

Here’s a lighthearted idea that actually works: a small sturdy plastic slide for human toddlers can double as a goat slide.

The Little Tikes First Slide (that blue and green one you see in every backyard) is a favorite among mini farmers for their goat kids.

It’s made of durable plastic, weather-proof, and the steps are just the right size for goats to climb.

Goats will climb up and may or may not actually slide down – often they just like the vantage point and will hop off the side.

Plus, it weighs very little, so you can move it around the pen. It’s an affordable way to give your goats a gym piece. And let’s face it, a goat going down a slide is peak internet gold if you catch it on video.

DIY and Natural Climbing Ideas

Not sold in stores, but worth mentioning – tree stumps, logs, and rocks make excellent goat play additions.

If you have a felled tree, cut a couple of sections as stepping pods. Lean a wooden plank to make a ramp (ensure it’s secure so it doesn’t slip).

Even an old picnic table can turn into a goat platform. The more variety, the more your goats can explore and burn off energy.

This translates to happier, healthier goats (and fewer escape attempts, we hope). A word of caution: always check that your structures don’t have sharp edges or nails sticking out.

Goats will find that one rusty nail on a pallet, guaranteed. Sand things down, use outdoor-grade screws, and when in doubt, supervise their play until you’re confident it’s foolproof.

Playtime tips: Rearranging the play structures occasionally can spark new interest. Goats are curious – if you move that spool to the other corner or add a new stump, they’ll investigate like it.

And don’t forget, human interaction is a form of play too – spend time with your goats, scratch their cheeks, race them to the barn (you’ll lose).

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A good fence, a solid feeder, and something fun to climb on – that’s the goat-care trifecta. It keeps things safer, cleaner, and a whole lot more entertaining (for both you and the goats).

Every setup’s a little different, so don’t stress if you need to tweak things. These ideas are popular for a reason, but goats love to keep us on our toes.

Goat life has its challenges, but it’s also full of sweet moments – quiet naps in the sun, evening zoomies, and those curious eyes watching your every move.