Goats and Chickens

[chrissynemetz]

I had two pygmy goats who shared the run with my chickens for years. The only problem I ever had was trying to keep the goats out of the chicken feed.
And yes, goats can really do serious damage to your trees if they can get to them. Mine ate my two young pear trees
But they were adorable, so they got away with it

 

[ValerieJ]

I had two pygmy goats who shared the run with my chickens for years. The only problem I ever had was trying to keep the goats out of the chicken feed.
And yes, goats can really do serious damage to your trees if they can get to them. Mine ate my two young pear trees
But they were adorable, so they got away with it

Since my chickens are in my orchard, I think goats are out of the question. Thanks for that input!!

 

[goldysgirl]

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I kept goat for while... my chickens also LOVED scratching through the goat shed. Some even started laying there.

The biggest problem I ever faced was the goaties relentless attempts to get to the chicken feed... they just LOVE grain. But it could kill them ultimately if they ate too much. Are they whethers or does (sp?) or breeding?

There are certain parasites that MAY be passed between them, but most are host specific. Getting fecal floats and treating with the correct med for the species you have IF needed, and general good husbandry can go a long way towards prevention of most stuff. Doing "group" fecal floats (several samples in one test) a few times throughout the year can help you to know YOUR internal parasite load as it is effected by so many things including weather, stock density, wild life load, and even soil type. Most species will never be seen in droppings as only large round worms and tape worms may ever be passed in droppings. All other will stay int he intestines and only their microscopic oocysts (eggs) will pass in droppings.

Sounds like your "young roo" to hen population might be a bit off kilter and I would consider re-homing or eating some if not all of the boys. 1 is more than enough for how many ladies ya got. Young roosters and hens since you mention terminology, are known as cockerel or pullet until they reach 1 year old. It's most important when discussing health and behavioral issues. But it's also great to be on a learning adventure!

Congrat's on your blessed retirement!

Adding your general location to your profile can help peeps make the best suggestions possible at a glance int he future.

Please... if a specific comment you saw makes you wonder... post it so we can confirm or deny your cause for concern.

Good point...our chickens free range and only wander in and out of the goat pen. The may get a little chicken feed tossed their way, but there is no chicken feeder in the goat pen.

 

[goldysgirl]

Goats are browser not grazers... they don't do much for the grass but fertilize it. Sheep eat grass.

My chickens don't take all the greenery... because my place is big enough they aren't that confined.

I have 1 acre in the PNW... that I thought was lush until I tried 2 Nubian goats... they cleared my blackberries... all except the thorny twigs... and started working on eating every TREE in the place. They had hay available free choice. NO WAY is it easier (or cheaper) to keep animals than a lawn mower...

Just make sure the goats cannot get to your chicken grain, and it shouldn't be too much issue. Birds don't usually hang around under goat feet waiting to be trampled. Though one getting stepped on is always a possibility... even from myself. I have had some seriously close calls!

But wait... in case you haven't seen this video and laughed yet, take a look. My goats were SOOOO loud when they first came home without the rest of their herd. The tongues sticking out cracks me up!

ETA: Working on my trees means eating the bark and girdling them... not the leaves as it was winter time.

Yeah, they will definitely eat trees up even with ample feed and free choice hay. The trees in the pen have electric fences around them to keep goats off the trees. Seems to work, but I have bumped the electric fence twice while trying to manage the wheelbarrow full of hay, bedding, and feed while being swarmed by hungry goats. It almost knocked me on my butt.

 

[The LRR Coop]

Hi there, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I kept goat for while... my chickens also LOVED scratching through the goat shed. Some even started laying there.

The biggest problem I ever faced was the goaties relentless attempts to get to the chicken feed... they just LOVE grain. But it could kill them ultimately if they ate too much. Are they whethers or does (sp?) or breeding?

There are certain parasites that MAY be passed between them, but most are host specific. Getting fecal floats and treating with the correct med for the species you have IF needed, and general good husbandry can go a long way towards prevention of most stuff. Doing "group" fecal floats (several samples in one test) a few times throughout the year can help you to know YOUR internal parasite load as it is effected by so many things including weather, stock density, wild life load, and even soil type. Most species will never be seen in droppings as only large round worms and tape worms may ever be passed in droppings. All other will stay int he intestines and only their microscopic oocysts (eggs) will pass in droppings.

Sounds like your "young roo" to hen population might be a bit off kilter and I would consider re-homing or eating some if not all of the boys. 1 is more than enough for how many ladies ya got. Young roosters and hens since you mention terminology, are known as cockerel or pullet until they reach 1 year old. It's most important when discussing health and behavioral issues. But it's also great to be on a learning adventure!

Congrat's on your blessed retirement!

Adding your general location to your profile can help peeps make the best suggestions possible at a glance int he future.

Please... if a specific comment you saw makes you wonder... post it so we can confirm or deny your cause for concern.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. When we let our goats out the chicken feed is removed. We do have one wether and very much aware of the calci problems caused by grain. Learned that the hard way unfortunately. I caught it early and we were able to clear it up. So thankful. It's a learning experience. We do believe he was banded earlier than what is considered best but all is good!!
As for our boys.. Is there a harm in having them if they all get along? We love them all. We would never eat them. They all have names and the grandkids love them too. We sit out with them most days.
Thank you for the kind lesson in terms. I am one to educate myself but I find it comes slower these days.
As for my location, I'm still trying to figure this site out. I'll get there eventually!
Thanks again for your response and kind words.

 

[The LRR Coop]

Goats are browser not grazers... they don't do much for the grass but fertilize it. Sheep eat grass.

My chickens don't take all the greenery... because my place is big enough they aren't that confined.

I have 1 acre in the PNW... that I thought was lush until I tried 2 Nubian goats... they cleared my blackberries... all except the thorny twigs... and started working on eating every TREE in the place. They had hay available free choice. NO WAY is it easier (or cheaper) to keep animals than a lawn mower...

Just make sure the goats cannot get to your chicken grain, and it shouldn't be too much issue. Birds don't usually hang around under goat feet waiting to be trampled. Though one getting stepped on is always a possibility... even from myself. I have had some seriously close calls!

But wait... in case you haven't seen this video and laughed yet, take a look. My goats were SOOOO loud when they first came home without the rest of their herd. The tongues sticking out cracks me up!

ETA: Working on my trees means eating the bark and girdling them... not the leaves as it was winter time.

Hilarious!!!

 

[jane s chickens]

I have 10 hens, 3 roos, 3 Nigerian dwarf goats, & have not had any problems for 2 years.

 

[The LRR Coop]

I have 10 hens, 3 roos, 3 Nigerian dwarf goats, & have not had any problems for 2 years.

Thank you for that response. They cohabitate so well. I just love sitting out in the yard watching all of their antics.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

As for our boys.. Is there a harm in having them if they all get along?

No, there's no harm at all!

It was a wonderful experience to keep goats and I'm glad I got to do it, even though I don't keep them anymore.

I was gonna post some pics of my cuties, but the site isn't cooperating right now.

My local friend also keeps a couple Nigerian whether goats with her chickens without issue for about 5 years now. They are spoiled and don't really clear anything that I can tell. But perfectly good as PETS... just not lawn mowers or grounds keepers as many hope. In case anyone isn't sure about the difference between grazers and browsers... grazers eat grass. Browsers eat shrubs and small trees.

We do have one wether and very much aware of the calci problems caused by grain

Yes, the calcium is one concern for whethers. But any goat eating an excess amount of grain (by accident) can get bloat which can actually be deadly. But it's been a long time since since I kept them and memories fade. Here is the one of the best goat links I have found with tons of great information...
http://fiascofarm.com/goats/index.htm

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hilarious!!!

One of my neighbors didn't think so!

And was even thinking about calling child protective services on me because they thought there were real kids over here getting locked out or something.

Now I know why they're called kids!