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To fence or not to fence that is the question?

501 views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  Wcd 
#1 ·
So I am putting the final touches on things and will be moving part of the herd to the second barn. So what I am wondering is should I take some of the left over fencing and fence in a an area around the barn for night time housing?

We have a lot of predators so I am trying to figure out the best approach here. Part of me thinks that thinks that a 75 foot square area around the barn might not be a bad idea? Then I wonder if the dogs would get restless at night being in a smaller area. We have one that pretty much stays with the gang and one that spends a lot of time patrolling.

thoughts please
 
#4 ·
I have a night pen because of predators that is enclosed in my day run I have done this for a couple years and love it. The night pen is small and the barn is open so my goats can go in or out at will. They especially like it in the warmer months so they’re not stuck all night in a stuffy barn. I like it also because on treatment or trim days they’re easily caught in the smaller space. So it’s a win win here.
 
#5 ·
I take it when you are speaking of the dogs they are livestock guards dogs?
I would build the fence around your barn. i would build it for herd management, sorting worming tagging vaccinating.
The guard dogs will do there job no matter where you have your herd. your herd will go to the barn now out of habit so it is not necessary to pen them up at night.
 
#6 ·
Yup..build the fence. You will be glad you did!
 
#9 ·
I take it when you are speaking of the dogs they are livestock guards dogs?
I would build the fence around your barn. i would build it for herd management, sorting worming tagging vaccinating.
The guard dogs will do there job no matter where you have your herd. your herd will go to the barn now out of habit so it is not necessary to pen them up at night.
Yes they are, since they arrived we have not had any issues, coyotes not so much, I think they now stay away given the last encounter one of them had.
 
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