05/23/08, 02:06 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oregon
Posts: 2,192
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DixyDoodle
Aside from it being coyote country, no one can ever say that they will not find a stray dog in their yard some day. Perhaps knawing on what is left of their goat.
Maybe I'm just a wimp, but I don't want my children coming home to find a beloved pet found partially eaten at the end of a leash.
If your goat is way out in the front yard, what's to stop someone from just putting it in their car?
I wouldn't be too keen on knowing my goat is visiting the neighbours.....isn't anyone worried about them getting hit by cars, even being backed over in the driveway?
Naw, I've invested too much in my goats. Sure, they can have mishaps no matter where they are, but why take chances?
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All valid points, which is why I said if the conditions are right. In my case, I don't have a fenced yard, but do have natural barriers to keep other animals out and goats in. My dogs are very protective and warn me of any people or animals going by on the road. My yard is separted from the road by a large fast deep creek, and my bridge had a closed gate on it. No one can get in my yard without me knowing before they do.
Some people may not need fencing, just because they have enough land and they are located far enough away from the road. But they may have to deal with coyotes or other day time predators. Because of my steep terrain, we don't have coyotes here.
I tether my goats out because that's why I bought them...to clean brush and mow grass to help me maintain this place which would be too much work without their help. I've had goats for about eight years now and have only had one incident with a tethered goat...he was attacked by yellow jackets. He was badly stung (so was I), but he survived. And that was before I came up with the rebar post and ring concept to prevent tangling. When I first started tethering them I made mistakes, and learned from them. That's why I tell people how I do it now, to hopefully help them do it right the first time.
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