Author Topic: goats... (Read 6128 times)

bayou girl · « **on:** Jun 15, 2010, 09:38:02 PM »

contemplating "borrowing" a couple (read "rent" ) to help clear my land. sarah, can you give me pointers?

Tina · « **Reply #1 on:** Jun 15, 2010, 09:43:41 PM »

That is scary to me. I have such a problem with coyotes here. You would need a shelter to put them into at night?

sunsoaker · « **Reply #2 on:** Jun 15, 2010, 09:45:09 PM »

I've thought about that too but wouldn't know what to do with them when not here - or at night.

Wrennie · « **Reply #3 on:** Jun 16, 2010, 09:03:04 AM »

My friend used to rent out his goat to ea peoples poision ivy for them. I think by the day and he'd take it home at night. Coyote bear etc here too.

bestofour · « **Reply #4 on:** Jun 16, 2010, 09:23:02 AM »

I like the idea of renting but can't find any place who does it. I can find plenty of goats for sale but I don't want goats full time.

Those of you having problems with coyotes, do people living around you have goats?

Tina · « **Reply #5 on:** Jun 16, 2010, 09:29:34 AM »

Some have goats, poultry, etc. But they keep them penned at night and usually have a watch dog to drive off predators. Or a watch ostrich or llama. We have several small semi-exotic animal breeders around. And one real exotic animal sanctuary. Used to have a buffalo farm but I think they moved.
Mostly it is a matter of good fences to keep the coyotes away. I don't have fences.

bestofour · « **Reply #6 on:** Jun 16, 2010, 09:31:24 AM »

A watch ostrich. I can't help it. That's funny.

I didn't think about coyotes being kept away by fences. On TV they chew through fences with their vampire like teeth.

Wrennie · « **Reply #7 on:** Jun 16, 2010, 09:50:06 AM »

My co-workers mother in law is raising goats this year. They are kept in a barn at night. And they have dogs.

barleychown · « **Reply #8 on:** Jun 16, 2010, 10:54:48 AM »

First, you'd need to make sure you don't have any of the poisonous-to-goats plants in the area to be eaten. Some of them can kill a goat in a matter of minutes.

Then, good fences are a must...either permenent or temporary.

Then, you need to understand goats are not grazers, but instead browsers. They don't eat grass like a cow. They will eat mouthfuls, but not until it's the last option. Mine have belly deep grass in their pen, because of this. They will kill trees by stripping the bark.

Is there a company that rents goats? Or are you thinking more along the lines of borrowing from a friend?

Tina · « **Reply #9 on:** Jun 16, 2010, 11:32:44 AM »

A list of common goat killing plants could be handy, Sarah. I didn't know there was much of anything a goat couldn't eat.

bayou girl · « **Reply #10 on:** Jun 16, 2010, 08:57:40 PM »

that would be a good thing sarah. i should check on that. because i know carolina jessamine is poisonous to some animals, and there is bunches of that where i need cleared.

barleychown · « **Reply #11 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 10:10:12 AM »

This site is great, and covers most everything you'd need to know to own a goat, or rent, in this case...

http://fiascofarm.com/goats/index.htm

And a list of poisonous plants, though not a complete list:

http://fiascofarm.com/goats/poisonousplants.htm

Tina · « **Reply #12 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 10:20:47 AM »

I love the name Fiasco Farm. That is a scary list. I have some of these plants and weeds. Every year they send whole flocks of sheep to our open spaces to graze and help get the weeds under control. It is fun to watch them sometimes. They do a good job of clearing.

bestofour · « **Reply #13 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 10:35:18 AM »

Gee whiz. I have a lot of those plants in my yard and I don't want my trees murdered so no goats for me. I thought goats ate just about anything.

barleychown · « **Reply #14 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 11:56:46 AM »

Oh, they'll eat just about anything green...that's why the poisonous plants are so dangerous for them. However, the stereotypical image of a goat eating a can? Yeah...no. They have rather touchy stomachs....but they ARE nosy, and will play with anything. Including cell phones. FYI...that is NOT covered by the warranty.

Tina · « **Reply #15 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 12:16:08 PM »

Jessica · « **Reply #16 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 12:32:30 PM »

Know from experience, Sarah?

barleychown · « **Reply #17 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 01:15:28 PM »

Maaaaybeeee

She took it out of my back pocket while I was trimming the other's hooves. Now you know why her name is Monster.

Triss · « **Reply #18 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 06:50:05 PM »

Oh goodness.

bayou girl · « **Reply #19 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 08:36:46 PM »

oh my

i can believe it though!

bayou girl · « **Reply #20 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 09:07:57 PM »

ok, read up. and will keep this in mind if getting goats becomes a reality. looks like it won't, but it could!

Tina · « **Reply #21 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 09:12:38 PM »

Do you have a lot of plants on the "don't" list, Jenn?

bayou girl · « **Reply #22 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 10:11:18 PM »

i don't have any in the areas to be cleared. and not many period. so i think it would work. just have to figure out temp fencing. sarah? ideas?

Tina · « **Reply #23 on:** Jun 17, 2010, 10:38:52 PM »

Your goat owner may have something that might work, Jenn? They have large dog pens/runs made of tall chain link that are fairly fast to put up and pull down. Might be an option to purchase? Now I have to go research.....

barleychown · « **Reply #24 on:** Jun 18, 2010, 10:08:59 AM »

My first choice is horse field fence, because they can't stick their heads through it. Being the nosy beasts they are, they do stick their heads through anywhere...and if they get stuck it only takes an hour (or less) for them to overheat and die.

For movable pens, I'd do either a chain link dog run or that electric mesh...as long as they get moved frequently they should be too busy browsing to test the mesh, much.

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Author Topic: goats... (Read 6128 times)

Jessica