*UPDATE* we're getting the goats, now what??

[NewChickenMom]

first question: will electric fence be ok for goats? or should i get some of those goat panels and make them thier own pen?

 

[ksacres]

Quote:
We tried electric several times, didn't work for us. We currently use cattle panels and they don't get out of those.

Our climate is too dry to get a good ground on the hotwire, so the shock is very light, they don't even feel it through their coats.

 

[NewChickenMom]

well, i'm headed to tsc anyway to get chicken/horse feed. i'm going to browse around and see what i can use to make them a nice pen.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Quote:
*chuckles* really? He needs to be there? gee! guess I didn't know that when I was taking care of mine, hehe. I think I know what you mean, it really is nice to have someone on hand to help at times, even most of the time, but hardly necessary I'm thinking.

Yeah, I did not mean it that way, that she needed a man. I am a man, but my wife is definately not into the farm animals. She tolerates them because she knew when we married 19.5 years ago, we would have farm animals. What I meant is that it is nice to have an extra set of hands at times. For example, if there are complications.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Quote:
I have 2 x 4 wire down to the ground with a board around the top. This has proven great for the goats, ducks, geese, etc. Well except for the Muscovey. They fly right over. This has also kept any unwanted dogs out. Of course, my goats best protection is the almost 6 ft Belgian mare that they run with. I wish I could get a picture. If every the goats get scared, they run and stand under Chantilly like a Hen and her chicks. And I do mean under. They have to reach up to touch her belly.

 

[NewChickenMom]

3boysChicks - i need a picture of that!!

as i was checking on the horses before leaving for tsc, i walked around the corner and looked at my 15' x 5' x 10' dog run. i was thinking of creating a wood roof that goes up about 4-5 feet, then covering sides of dog kennel with tarp to keep wind/rain/snow out. will this work as temp. shelter for these girls till i can get something more permanent built for them?

also, i am getting one nanny who is due to kid soon (next 7-10 days). i was planning on putting her outside during the day when nice and bringing her into a 10x12 horse stall at night. do i bring both does in? i do have a baby monitor for when my mare foals to watch them on so i will be there when they kid.

any advice?

 

[PortageGirl]

If you have a spare box stall, you have a goat pen! Plenty of room overnight, and in inclement weather! Mine were fine together when kidding, but I'm not sure that's really ok. Anyone else?