Minature Goats

TomG · May 30, 2000

And, contrary to popular thinking, they're picky eaters I hear. A farm zoo in the city says they'll eat alfalfa hay but won't touch any other hay. The zoo is something of a working livestock operation where participating farmers bring in some of their stock certain times of year, and young animals are raised there. The animals usually rotate, but several of the goats and Scottish cattle became celebrities and are permanent residents.

Despite prestige and money things, goats can get by on entertainment value. Maybe that's next year's project. Of course, around here we have real wolfs (One in our driveway last summer. Middle of the day). Keeping goats from the wolfs might be a problem.

TomG · May 30, 2000

Gee, I like the idea of jumping pigs.

Actually, the guy with the goats and pigs is something of a local problem. His livestock are on the highway frequently. A neighbour hit his pig last fall and broke the transmission on her car. A school bus and other vehicles have hit them in the past. Police confiscated his animals several times. He just goes and buys more. I understand a judge ordered him to get an electric fence. One was ordered, paid for and never picked up.

I haven't seen his animals for awhile so maybe the police finally got serious. Livestock on the highway are bad. Pigs are especially bad. Of course, we've got moose and bear here. Hit a moose, and write off your vehicle.

PaulB · May 30, 2000

Wen - the goats without ears are I think called Lamanchas, and they have all the inner workings of the ear, just tiny ear flaps. Hear fine.

W5FL · May 30, 2000

The problem here is coyotes, but I hope a good 5 ft fence will keep the goats from becoming supper. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I am not sure that alfafa will grow here. Hope they like coastal. Tell me a little more about the entertainment value. I figure my little 4 year old grandson will think they are ok. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

W5FL · May 30, 2000

Thanks Paul, I will do a little more research on Lamanchas and find out a little more about them.

W5FL · May 30, 2000

People don't seem to drive in the country like they are in the country. People should do a better job of keeping farm animals fenced, but I think people should pay a little attention to their surroundings, too. Good thing she didn't hit a horse or cow!

Bird · May 30, 2000

Yep, Wen, it never ceases to amaze me at the number of one vehicle accidents we have on these farm roads; mostly from either just driving too fast, or from being drunk, and running off the road. But there have also been several accidents in the area from folks hitting cattle on the road. I usually drive close to the speed limit myself in the daytime, but sure go slow around here at night, because hitting a cow or deer sure ruins your whole day./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird

dfranksmith · May 30, 2000

I believe I saw an earless goat once, and the owner told me it was a Morroccan goat. It was average size, and the coloration was something like that of a doberman.

gordon · May 30, 2000

We have one goat and she thinks she's a dog they run together two dogs and the goat when she's out of the pen. I was very surprized at how well goats can jump. The good thing is that if she does get loose she stays right around the pen. She is also very good around the childern the goat is very spoiled as well thanks to my wife and the kids.
If the dogs act up around her she lets them know who is boss real quick with a quick head butt enough to keep them in line not to hurt them.
My wife wants to get more but I'll have to build a much better pen before we can do that because all goats are not as trusting around kids and dogs as Dollyrama.
What is the best way to build a pen for goats?
Gordon