What is the best way to convince my dad to get goats? My moms all for it but my dad isn't. We are zoned and we have enough land. I'd be getting two Nigerians. I've ready every goat book I can get my hands on and my dad knows how much I want them. He says they are too expensive but he is open to the idea of me buying and paying for everything. He thinks the goats will come on the porch or eat his garden, but Im going to have a locking fanned run-in for the two so I can lock them up while I'm gone. What can I do to show him that goats are worth the time? He loves goat milk and soap. Thanks!! -Liv
The biggest reason why I don't have goats right now is fencing. Goats are not easy animals to contain. Seriously. They can be serious escape artists. Chickens are probably more of a threat to a garden than goats. Goats prefer to browse on shrubs.
He's right. They will get on his porch and eat his garden. And roses if there are any. The first thing you need with goats is a good fence. One to keep the goats in, and two, to keep predators like the neighbor's dogs out.
x2 x2 They can be very sweet and a lot of fun, but yes, fencing is key. Without a good fence they can quickly become extremely aggravating. Yes, they will be on the porch. Yes, they will get in the garden. They will eat most any garden or decorative plant or shrubbery you have. They will climb on vehicles. They will go up on their hind legs and put their dirty gritty front hooves on various things, because they want to look in the window, or get a leaf, or are just plain curious about something. They'll knock stuff over. Even worse, they may head over to the neighbors. A good fence is crucial, but won't be cheap. But with a good fence, goats can be very sweet and a lot of fun! (I don't mention them in my signature, but we do have a herd of Kiko and Kiko/Boer crosses for natural weed and brush control in the pastures. Several of them we raised on a bottle, and so they are very sweet and people friendly pets)
We have a 8ft privacy fence on every side. My dad doesn't mind them actually on the porch, bit he thinks their poop is like chickens poop. I think it's round like rabbit poop right? We also have a five foot fence that is enclosing the garden. I think it's called either stock fence or cattle fence. -Liv
Yes, a healthy goat poop is pellets, similar to rabbit poop. If they're wormy or eat something they shouldn't, they'll get diarrhea like any other animal. As for fencing, make sure it goes all the way to the ground. Check for dips in the terrain; either natural or dug by a dog or wildlife. A 100 pound Kiko doe can slip under a 3 inch gap under the fence. I have seen it. A Nigerian Dwarf would need less. ETA: My favorite most economical goat fence is "field fencing" with 12" vertical spacing. Horizontal spacing starts at 2-3" near the bottom, and gradually gets bigger. Most field fencing is 6" vertical spacing, but horned goats gets stuck in that. With 12" verticals they are able to get themselves back out nearly every time. So if you're wanting to make a goat pen, this is what I would use.
