Calculate posts, wire, gates, and material costs for any pasture, garden, or property fence. Adjust for animal type, corner posts, and gate count.
For a square 1-acre parcel (208 linear feet per side = 832 ft perimeter), at 10-foot post spacing you need about 83 line posts plus corner and gate posts. For a 5-acre square (about 1,860 ft perimeter), that's roughly 186 line posts. Always add 10% extra for waste and future repairs.
Goats need a minimum 4-foot fence, and 5 feet for large breeds or particularly determined animals. More important than height is tension and spacing — goats push through and under loose fences. Woven wire with 4-inch openings combined with a single offset electric wire inside is the most effective combination.
High-tensile electric fence is the most cost-effective option for large acreage — roughly 3–5 strands at 12-foot post spacing. Per-foot costs run $0.30–$0.50 for electric versus $0.80–$1.50 for woven wire. The tradeoff is that it requires reliable power and regular maintenance to stay effective.