Eastern Tennessee Thread

[edford]

i dont think eastern macon county is hardly east tennessee though. i just joined this site this morning because something is fitting through about a 2 and half inch gap next to my coop entrance and has killed some of my babies

 

[tnchickenut]

Yes they live right on 411 approx a mile from town. Older couple. I never petted their goats, would only go see them if I was over there, they must not have handled them much if any. I would want goats that were gentle and handled. I assume it is enough work when you have tamed one, I wouldn't want some that I couldn't get around.

Ahhh, well I told hubby that if I got one, I would have to get two because they don't do well alone. I had one many years ago, when I was still in WV, it was a little billy. The kids opened the door and left it wide open, I walked into my bedroom and that crazy goat was on top of my waterbed! ROFL I didn't keep him long. Never tried it again after that, I have lots to consider before I jump into the fire, if I do.

Yup, that is them! They don't have goats anymore. They all got out and caused a traffic jam and either they thought they should give them up or someone made them because the cops were out trying to round them back and everything. It was a sight.
No they told me when I bought my two that they never touched them once. I thought, "I'll tame them" and that never happened. They were so hard to work with because of it, so I had to give them to someone who had more experience and space for them to be wild. They live in Englewood too and I am allowed to go visit whenever I want... good people.

If quality matters to you, there is a registered pygmy breeder in Riceville. Just make sure you see the goats, can handle the goats, and around here... just because someone says "pygmy" doesn't mean pygmy AT ALL. Pygmies shouldn't be taller than your knee, thigh at most.... I have shopped around for goats alot and people will almost always say "pygmy" and either it is a outright lie or they don't know their goats. Just a word of caution there.

 

[tnchickenut]

Do you cut them up into little pieces? Or whole and let them peck?

You are overthinking it... just let them peck. I throw in whole tomatoes, whole ears of corn, whole beats (they love beats).... I only half watermelons, pumpkins, ect (things like that with a tough skin)

 

[stanglover2001]

i dont think eastern macon county is hardly east tennessee though. i just joined this site this morning because something is fitting through about a 2 and half inch gap next to my coop entrance and has killed some of my babies

Welcome to BYC! Where is Macon Co? I hope you find out what it is, is it eating babies only? How is it killing them?

 

[tnchickenut]

i dont think eastern macon county is hardly east tennessee though. i just joined this site this morning because something is fitting through about a 2 and half inch gap next to my coop entrance and has killed some of my babies

Sorry I missed this post (it started a new page and the last and the first go un-noticed sometimes)!!

How did it kill them (head off? Feathers only left? Nothing left? ect ect) It will help in narrowing it down. Do you own a live trap or gun? Some preditors come back the next day while others wait until they are hungry again which can take a few days making it harder to catch them.

 

[dncarr09]

Ok, I saw a post on here a few pages back that said scratch grains can cause a stop in laying. I have had a significant decrease in laying in the past few weeks. I thought that it was just the change in season, and I think they are starting to moult. I started a few weeks ago mixing in scratch grain with their feed every day. I used to only give it out every few days or so as a treat. I think I should start doing that again. I was giving an 80/20 mixture every day. 80% layer pellet and 20% scratch feed. Along with a few tomatoes here and there left over from the garden. Is that way too much? I had no idea. I also mix in oyster shell every day with the layer pellet and scratch grain, but noticed that it always seems to be left over in the bottom of the feeder.

 

[SistaChick]

Yup, that is them! They don't have goats anymore. They all got out and caused a traffic jam and either they thought they should give them up or someone made them because the cops were out trying to round them back and everything. It was a sight.
No they told me when I bought my two that they never touched them once. I thought, "I'll tame them" and that never happened. They were so hard to work with because of it, so I had to give them to someone who had more experience and space for them to be wild. They live in Englewood too and I am allowed to go visit whenever I want... good people.

If quality matters to you, there is a registered pygmy breeder in Riceville. Just make sure you see the goats, can handle the goats, and around here... just because someone says "pygmy" doesn't mean pygmy AT ALL. Pygmies shouldn't be taller than your knee, thigh at most.... I have shopped around for goats alot and people will almost always say "pygmy" and either it is a outright lie or they don't know their goats. Just a word of caution there.

At the moment I am looking at getting Nigerian Dwarfs. I want small goats. Are pygmies supposed to be smaller than the dwarfs? Thank you for sharing your experiences, it will help me to be aware.

 

[tnchickenut]

Ok, I saw a post on here a few pages back that said scratch grains can cause a stop in laying. I have had a significant decrease in laying in the past few weeks. I thought that it was just the change in season, and I think they are starting to moult. I started a few weeks ago mixing in scratch grain with their feed every day. I used to only give it out every few days or so as a treat. I think I should start doing that again. I was giving an 80/20 mixture every day. 80% layer pellet and 20% scratch feed. Along with a few tomatoes here and there left over from the garden. Is that way too much? I had no idea. I also mix in oyster shell every day with the layer pellet and scratch grain, but noticed that it always seems to be left over in the bottom of the feeder.

Ok. First, oyster shells and grit are not something they eat regularly... once in a blue moon, so to speak. Put it this way... in all these years I have had chickens I have had to give oyster shells maybe twice. I only give them if the shells get thin.

Now, as for laying... you got everything going against you. Too much scratch, tomatoes, then they are moulting.... all these things lead to lower egg rates. I, personally, would stop the scratch in the feed. You'd save alot of money. They just toss the feed out and look for the goodies in the mix. I feed mine a scoop of scratch per 10 birds or so every other day... on the ground, not in their feeder. It's a treat, not a staple in their diet.

For their moult, you should amp up the protien in their diet. Maybe mix chick starter in with the layer feed... or you can feed scrambled eggs or browned beef. I have never done either of those... just doesn't sit well with me for some reason. I usually give crickets or mealworms out more durring moults and also add "nutri-drench" to their water... "kickin chicken" would be my second choice. But the point is to help them with their next set of feathers. As they come out of moult, egg production should pick right up again.

 

[tnchickenut]

At the moment I am looking at getting Nigerian Dwarfs. I want small goats. Are pygmies supposed to be smaller than the dwarfs? Thank you for sharing your experiences, it will help me to be aware.

Yes, the smallest are pygmies, then Nigerian dwarfs..... they both should have the same body size but a pygmy has shorter legs while the dwarf has regular lenth legs. But those are the two smallest goats you can get. The Nigerians are what you would want if you want to milk... since their legs are longer. Good luck finding them... I never could. If you really care about what you are getting, you might want to be ready to pay a good breeder. They can be hundereds of dollars. Especially if they are blue eyed. But locally... no one has true Nigerians that I have found. Most people either have boers (meat goat with the red head and white body) or mutts.

ETA: http://www.ndga.org/ - and in Sevierville (if I won the lottery I would start my herd with these people) http://www.mynigeriandwarfs.com/availableforsale.htm

 

[Lunar]

Hi folks!
I am a newbie from northeast TN...in the Hawkins County area of TN. I am just starting to look for breeders of some specific breeds and thought I would join the site and ask around. I am looking for a place I might pick up my new birds instead of shipping them. The breeds I am looking for are Golden buffs, Partridge Silkies and possibly a Silver Duckwing Old English. I have been told in my area that they frown on roosters. So I will have to find some pullets to start with, I suppose. I am new to chickens, but have wanted to do them for several years now. We finally moved to the country and I have the space and time to put into them. So...anyone breeding these or up for some coaching a rookie, drop me a message.

Thanks!