Goats...tell me about them

[helmstead]

I think you meant pneumonia

 

[Corey NC]

I was planing a 3 1/2 sided building and a large run. Is 2x2 welded wire ok of the fensing?

 

[picklespickles]

"Pickles - you need to get yours on goat feed ASAP. Scraps are treats, not diet, nor is forage. They also need a quality grass hay always available as the main part of the diet and free access to loose goat minerals (NOT a block). They're pretty darn cheap to feed. Our 18 goats cost the equivalent of one full sized horse weekly if not less!"


my goats have been on hay since the very first i got them. you may be confusing the fact that i took in one goat who had been traded around a lot and was amazingly used to cheap dry dog food. i can understand how if you get one idea in your head it may be hard to get it out again.

 

[helmstead]

It does work, but it also breaks (we used it at first) with the constant rubbing they do on it to scratch their backs and such. If you don't mind replacing it in 2 years and checking for broken bits that might cause puncture, it'll be fine.

 

[helmstead]

Quote:
Nope - I was going off what you said in the post on this thread. Sounded like you said your goats eat "browse, branches from tree trimmings (their favorite), and scrap veggies especially. oh, and they will mug you for anything made of corn from corn husk to tortilla to canned corn to tortilla chip."

Hay is not all they need, especially since if I remember correctly you're planning to breed yours.

 

[picklespickles]

my wooden fences have done really well. i have had trouble with them scratching their backs on the single internal chainlink fence that wasn't fastened well at the top. all the external chains were fastened well and have held up.

goats don't like mud and i haven't seen them muddy up an area an area on purpose.

ours have a little over a quarter acre to run around in. i can't imagine not letting them run around. if you really don't have the space, well that's one thing. but don't keep them cooped up if you have an alternative.

i take mine out for walks and their favorite thing to eat are tumbleweeds. i am getting them ready to go hiking with me. there is one who is super calm and very wise who i know will do very well.

enjoy your goats. they are fantastic beings.

 

[picklespickles]

hmmmm. kate, i'm confused. i said that i fed mine what he mentioned PLUS the rest. all i can guess is you're feeling argumentative today and really, i'm not up for it. so, please choose someone else. thanks. pickles

 

[helmstead]

Pickles, sending you a PM.

 

[tiffanyh]

ANYWAY...good call guys, better to PM than get the topic closed. Im sure it was just a misunderstanding. It can be difficult when you cant hear the tone of voices.

Back to the topic, I used the 2x2 welded wire but it doesnt hold up great--it holds up- but gives and pulls a bit more than I prefer.

I have a dirt floor, water inside. They do HATE rain!

 

[FarmerMack]

Why do goats hate water? Seems to me an animal that climbs mountains might get rained on