Using goats to deter overhead predators (hawks). Does it REALLY work?

[aran]

my goats have their own house i made them but they prefer to get inside the coop with the girls and bed down...i kid you not!

 

[SNOODLES]

Hi, new to the board but not new to chickens. Several old timers swear that a goat will keep predators away. They say you won't see a snake at all. I am not sure why-they never say why it works. I trust the old timers though. I know you need more than one goat becuase they get lonely. Not sure what else they are supposed to keep away.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

No way, farmgirl2477, get a Llama!! A Llama would be way easier and cheaper to maintain then a donkey...and quieter. Plus I've been looking at Llama prices(cause I want one!!) and it seems you can get one for about $300. Donkeys, around here at least about the same price as a horse, at least $800. Of course you can't ride a Llama either...

Anyhow I have goats, don't seem to have any trouble with predators (unless you want to call a thieving chipmunk one, lol) I used to have skunks around, but it seems they've disappeared since we got the goats. Never had a problem with hawks, so couldn't say if the goats are helping deter them or not.

 

[4H kids and mom]

I had a pair of red tail hawks that ocuppied a tree in my yard and I worried everyday about my chickens, so they were only out when I could be out to watch them. Then, we got the goats. Just two kids. But, the hawks moved on and now everyone enjoys the freedom of ranging the yard all day wether I am here to watch them or not. I can't say for sure that the hawks left because of the goats, but I have had none anywhere near my yard or house since we got the goats well over 3 months ago, and we live in a very heavily "hawk occupied" area. I had been told by farmers prior to getting the goats that they helped keep hawks and owls away, so thats why we originally got them. Now I adore them and cant imagine NOT having them and their funny antics and goofy frolicing.

Get a pair of goats. Thats an order! lol

 

[Chirpy]

I realize that this question is now about goats - I hope that's Ok. (It's still about chickens too since I'm also looking for added protection for my chickens.)

I've been wanting goats for years but haven't been able to 'justify' having them here since I'm not able to keep a milking schedule at this point so they would just be pets.

As I sit reading this post I'm thinking about getting two pygmy goats to keep in with the chickens. But, I have some questions that need to have answers first:

1) My outside run area is about 435 square feet. Is that large enough to keep them happy? I can put 'toys' in there for them to play on/in.

2) How do you feed them and keep them out of the chicken food?

3) Would I want a boy and a girl? Two girls or two boys?

4) Anything else I need to know about pygmy goats before going further?

I would really like to hear from anyone who has pygmy goats.

 

[wren]

I had a pygmy goat and it was impossible to keep it in a pen. It was a lot of fun to play with though.

 

[Cheri]

My hubby thinks you people are a bad influence on me.

Cuz now I HAVE to have goats. Of course we had one pygmy goat named Pebbles that he loved. So maybe I can get another one. Hee. Down here I can get them for $45.00 a piece. Is that good?

edited to add I offered to give up my hogs and turkeys.

So we talked....... In the Spring.....I am going to get two pygmy or nigerian nanny goats.

 

[nightshade]

I love our goats! Never thought I would say that but well here I am. We bought Ed a few months ago at farm market and yesterday I got him a friend at market. But the price on them here has gone up alot. If you get them at market you are lookign at paying any were between $50- $85 for a kid depending on weather it is a billy or a nanny. And they are maybe the size of a pigmy if you are lucky.

 

[jackiedon]

We got ours when they were babies. We kept them in a small pen at first until they got bigger. You want 2 of the same sex unless you get one fixed or want babies. Our chicken food is in there pens and I try not to let the goats eat it, they sneak in sometimes. The only time we have had problems with them getting out is when they are after our nanny. They can NOT have idoine salt! They are also picky about fresh water.

You can email me if you want to ask any questions.

jackie

 

[Agilityscots]

A good friend of mine is a vet and she has two pygmy goats that are absolute charmers. They have a large pen for them on their 5-acre farm, and Pip, the younger one, is like a little dog. When Diane's husband works on the property, Pip follows him everywhere and hangs out with him while he works. When we visit they both beg for head scratches. I'd love to get a goat but can't convince the DH...not yet, anyway. I told him we need to sell this place and get something with a barn. That got him interested!

Amy