Dinornis
Chirping
Before we got chickens, our backyard was home to three (now six!) nigerian dwarf goats. Crazy cute animals, and crazy smart as well. When we first got our chicks in, the goats noticed right away that we weren't spending every second outside with them, and that we were constantly heading into a sizable wooden building, from which eminated a constant peeping. I've never seen an animal more eager to figure out just what was in that building. The goats tried to reach the window to see what was inside, and constantly gazed at the building which was, by the way, the coop.
Flash forward about 6-7 weeks later, and the girls were ready to head out into the open, away from the brooder. We constructed a temporary fence outside, just to get the girls used to the outside before introducing them to the goats. We held our breath as the chickens took their first cautious steps outside and (slowly at first, but more confidently as the minutes wore on) began to fill the air with their clucks.
The goats immediately rushed over to check out and, sure enough, both "leaders'' of the two species eventually met up. Leia, the ''doe-in-charge'' stuck her nose through the fence and lightly nibbled on the tail feathers of our head hen. That did it, and Leia was promptly treated to a swift peck on the nose. When the temporary fence was taken out, things got pretty interesting. The smaller three goats now prefer to hang out with the chickens, interestingly enough. And the hens love all the outside space, especially foraging for bugs, centipedes, and whatever they can get their beaks on, They also scratch around in the goat house as well, which is also useful.
A pretty good pairing if you ask me. I've heard mixed opinions on keeping chickens and goats together, but my experiences have been pretty good.
Flash forward about 6-7 weeks later, and the girls were ready to head out into the open, away from the brooder. We constructed a temporary fence outside, just to get the girls used to the outside before introducing them to the goats. We held our breath as the chickens took their first cautious steps outside and (slowly at first, but more confidently as the minutes wore on) began to fill the air with their clucks.
The goats immediately rushed over to check out and, sure enough, both "leaders'' of the two species eventually met up. Leia, the ''doe-in-charge'' stuck her nose through the fence and lightly nibbled on the tail feathers of our head hen. That did it, and Leia was promptly treated to a swift peck on the nose. When the temporary fence was taken out, things got pretty interesting. The smaller three goats now prefer to hang out with the chickens, interestingly enough. And the hens love all the outside space, especially foraging for bugs, centipedes, and whatever they can get their beaks on, They also scratch around in the goat house as well, which is also useful.
A pretty good pairing if you ask me. I've heard mixed opinions on keeping chickens and goats together, but my experiences have been pretty good.
you'd think it would be the other way around. Just bring a goat home, it's cuteness will convince her!
