Thinking of getting Nigerian Dwarf Wethers for pets

[Penske]

We are thinking about getting some Nigerian Dwarf wethers as pets. Our chickens are making us think we are farmers now!

Would it be a good idea to have the goat playyard abutting the hen run?? My gut says no; hubby says yes.

Help??

Lisa

 

[redhen]

i think it would be fine..my goats are fine with my chickens...but, just make sure the goats cant get ahold of any chicken feed..they say its toxic to them...

 

[Granolamom]

When we were painting the goatshed, we ended up putting our 3 goats into the (fenced) front yard, along with our free-ranging chickens. They totally got along, but each group stayed on "their" side of the yard. Even our rooster, who respects nobody but my husband (most of the time...), did not bother them one bit, and kept a respectful distance. I think you'll be fine with yours. Have fun!!!

 

[agnes_day]

i can definitely say that chicken feed is absolutely not poisonous to goats..my goats got into the chicken house a few days ago and ate all the scratch and feed they could find until i got them out. now, i bet if they eat the whole bag it might be. other than that, they get along great with the chickens.

 

[jossanne]

My sister's goats and chickens share a fence, and the roosters get in the goat yard. The baby goats chase the roosters, and it's darling! I don't know if her goats have gotten into the feed, but so far they are doing great next door to each other.

 

[Jazlyn]

My goats generaly ignore the chickens and the chickens seem to follow the goat herd around. I even have a 7mo buck that has bonded with one and they sleep together in his food bowl!

I think they will be fine but it usually is good to listen to your gut if it is a strong feeling.... Good luck! Oh... When you feel up to it, get a doe for milk! Then you will really feel like farmers!

 

[Skyesrocket]

If the goats are close enough to see the chickens food they may tear up the fence trying to get to it. They are food driven little buggers.

 

[FrenchHen]

Ours think they're dogs. They mow our lawns and generally entertain us. We have three wethers and are thinking of getting a pregnant doe for milk.

 

[Blooming chicks]

My goat yard/chicken run share a fence also, no problems. But one word of caution, GOATS ARE VERY ADDICTING!!! You'll have fun with them.

 

[helmstead]

Quote:

You got lucky, is all. In one time type overfeedings like you had, bloat is a threat. In long term consumption, UC is a major threat. It isn't TOXIC per se...but chicken feed has a far different ca/ph ratio than goats need and WILL cause issues. Not to mention, chicken feed is largely corn based which brings another laundry list of problems to goats.

OP: I'm highly biased but I say get your wethers!! Now's the best time, too - everyone has extra buck kids. They do well with chickens, all of my goats lived with my chickens until I had too many hens and needed to move them because they were stinking my goat barn up.