Quick Answer
Welded wire mesh can contain goats, but it requires specific specifications: 2x4-inch openings or smaller (to prevent head entrapment), 14-gauge wire minimum, and 4–5-foot height with a hot electric wire along the top. Goats test fences aggressively — they climb, push, and probe for weaknesses. A well-built welded wire fence with electric reinforcement is effective; lightweight or large-mesh welded wire is not.
Why Goats Are Challenging
Goats are intelligent and motivated escape artists. They test fences daily by pushing, climbing, and squeezing through openings. They'll stand on fence wire to reach vegetation on the other side, gradually bending the mesh downward. They can wedge their heads through surprisingly small openings — then panic when stuck, bending or damaging the fence significantly while trying to free themselves.
Mesh Size for Goats
Use 2x4-inch mesh or 4x4-inch mesh at maximum. Never use 6x6-inch mesh — most goats (even adults) can push through or squeeze through these openings. The 2x4-inch opening is ideal: small enough to prevent head entrapment, strong enough to withstand climbing pressure. For baby goats (kids), 2x4-inch is still too large — kids can slip through. Add a temporary second layer of smaller mesh (1x2-inch) at the bottom 18 inches for spring kidding season.
Why Welded Wire Alone Often Fails
Goats standing on welded wire mesh bend the wires at the welds over time. Lightweight 16-gauge mesh deforms within a single grazing season under regular goat pressure. The mesh hangs loose and goats push through the deformed sections. Use 14-gauge minimum. Add a top electric wire at 48–52 inches to discourage standing on the fence top. The electric wire is the difference between a goat fence that works and one that constantly fails.
Our Recommendation
For goats: 2x4-inch, 14-gauge welded wire at 48 inches height, with a top electric wire at 52–54 inches. This combination works reliably. Without the electric top wire, plan on spending significant time retrieving escaped goats. Posts at 8-foot spacing (closer than cattle fencing) prevent wire deformation under goat pressure. Budget $2–$3 per linear foot in materials for a well-built goat fence.