Goat & Livestock Fence Calculator: Posts, Wire & Cost
Goats are famous escape artists: they climb, lean, and squeeze through gaps. A goat fence is typically at least 4 feet tall with woven wire that has small openings, stretched tight between sturdy posts. Sheep and other small livestock use similar fencing.
Quick Calculator
Posts
78
Concrete
78
Rails Only
0
Rails
225
Est. Cost
$4,800–$9,000
Woven wire with small openings
Use woven “no-climb” wire with roughly 2×4 or 4×4 inch openings so goats cannot get their heads stuck. Avoid wide-opening field fence; horned goats often trap their heads in it.
Post spacing and bracing
Wood line posts every 8–12 feet with steel T-posts in between keep cost down. Every corner and gate needs an H-brace so the stretched wire does not pull posts over.
Add a hot wire
A single strand of electric wire on offset insulators at nose height along the inside stops goats from leaning on and stretching the fence.
Example: 600 Feet of Post & Rail
A typical goat & livestock fence of 600 feet using post & rail fencing needs about 78 posts (including one gate) and 78 bags of concrete, with materials around $4,800–$9,000. Change the length and type in the calculator above to match your project.
Materials List – 600 ft of Post & Rail
| Material | Qty | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Fence Posts (4×4×6 ft) | 78 | $1,170 |
| Concrete Mix (60 lb bags) | 78 | $468 |
| Rails (2×4×8 ft) | 225 | $1,575 |
| Total Estimated Materials | $4,800 – $9,000 |
Other Fence Projects
Recommended Materials
Pressure-Treated Fence Post 4×4×8
Ground-contact rated, ideal for all fence types.
$12 – $18
Cedar Dog-Ear Picket 1×6×6
Naturally rot-resistant, smooth on one side.
$3 – $6
Quikrete 60 lb Fast-Setting Concrete
Sets in 20-40 minutes. No mixing required.
$5 – $7
Post Hole Digger – Fiberglass Handle
Heavy-duty clamshell digger for clean holes.
$35 – $55
Simpson Strong-Tie Fence Bracket
Galvanized L-bracket for rail-to-post connections.
$4 – $8
Decorative Post Cap 4×4
Copper-top cap, fits standard 4×4 posts.
$5 – $12