Stella's Social Club

[Happy Chooks]

Now I'm jealous. You're getting goats!

 

[mlm Mike]

Maybe a nubian goat, a male would be about that size. I would suggest protecting any tree you value, also I'm not certain what predators you want protection from, goats are prey animals, they run from trouble.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

Now I'm jealous. You're getting goats!

Maybe a nubian goat, a male would be about that size. I would suggest protecting any tree you value, also I'm not certain what predators you want protection from, goats are prey animals, they run from trouble.

hawks for the free range birds. I have has goats lol. yeah they would not be in the same pasture as the fruit trees lol

Nubian are the big ones. My friends mom's goats are not afraid of much. She keeps some in with her pygmys and she said when they have horns even the cougars think twice.

 

[speckledhen]

When my friend housed her chickens in with her goats, she had no losses from predators. Her barn was the type where the wind sailed through the cracks, so not predator proof by any means. When she moved and housed them separately, she lost quite a few of them. I think there's probably something to be said for them being a deterrent to some things.

 

[mlm Mike]

They could be a deterrent, but it's completely unintentional on the goats part. A guardian animal bonds and feels the need to protect their charges. A goat could care less if a chicken is taken.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

yes I realize they won't care about the chickens but the fact there in the pasture with the chickens will help keep the hawks away

 

[mlm Mike]

yes I realize they won't care about the chickens but the fact there in the pasture with the chickens will help keep the hawks away

That's true, and the chickens seem smart enough to hang around them. I just had trouble with the word Guardian since it has a specific meaning in terms of livestock protection.

 

[speckledhen]

They could be a deterrent, but it's completely unintentional on the goats part. A guardian animal bonds and feels the need to protect their charges. A goat could care less if a chicken is taken.

That is very true, yet they do seem to be a deterrent to some predators. And if you want goats anyway, it's an added benefit.

 

[Hangtown Farms]

That's true, and the chickens seem smart enough to hang around them. I just had trouble with the word Guardian since it has a specific meaning in terms of livestock protection.

I taught myself that phrase to convince my wife they are needed again lol

 

[abChicken]

Hi Folks--I don't post much at all I lurk a lot

But I wanted to say Glad Kathy is doing OK and wanted Mary to know thanks to her post abt saving baby chicks I just returned one to its mommy. It was out of the nest and stiff - normally I would have disposed of it, but after some TIME I got it around

amazing what Old Folks can still learn

AB