Why are my goats eating the bark off my trees?

fishhead · #21 02/03/10, 12:43 PM

One of my wethers reached in my open car window and yanked the little red flashing light off the dash and probably ate it.

They seem to like a wide variety of things even when they have access to good alfalfa or grass hay. They like tall grass too.

momagoat61 · #22 02/03/10, 01:30 PM

when I got goats almost 16 years ago I build their first pasture lot in and around an orchard, there was peach, pears, plums, apples, etc. wonna guess how long the trees lasted?, all gone within probably one year. There's no telling how many baking soda boxes mine have eaten over the years. I go out to fill their mineral and baking soda feeders and get distracted and start looking for the empty baking soda box and its no where to be found, its like it just disppeared into thin air. I guess they get their share of extra fiber that way.

Gailann Schrader · #23 02/03/10, 01:43 PM

It's how you can tell Spring is coming! Minerals and sap, don't cha know...

If you don't want it dead, fence it off!

prometheus · #24 02/03/10, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishhead

One of my wethers reached in my open car window and yanked the little red flashing light off the dash and probably ate it.

They seem to like a wide variety of things even when they have access to good alfalfa or grass hay. They like tall grass too.

Oh, don't get me started about goats and wiring.

Ours stripped, stripped, the wiring off a trailer, ate all the trailer lights wiring off my CJ, and anytime my spedo on the dodge stops working I know they've been to work there too. I went so far as to leave a plugged in 110V extension cord out by their favorite vandalism locations, but they're too smart to hit it.

Alice In TX/MO · #25 02/03/10, 04:06 PM

So, the next question is.....

.... why aren't your goats fenced away from things you don't want eaten?

Pony · #26 02/03/10, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wintrrwolf

OH and when I set up my Buck's pen I included 3 tree's I didnt like either. Guess if your a tree and I don't like you, I'll sick my goats on ya! lol

OFF TOPIC!

Just wanted to let you know that one of Cletus' sons lives here at PonyAcres.

A little wether named Clark (his littermate is Lewis). He's so SWEET!

On topic!

prometheus · #27 02/03/10, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

So, the next question is.....

.... why aren't your goats fenced away from things you don't want eaten?

I believe in freedom for everyone.

We let them free-range the whole mountain, and haven't been able to afford fencing for the home-ranch yet.

airotciv · #28 02/03/10, 06:41 PM

Thanks everyone, I think it might be a mineral problem. I have noticed over the last month they are hitting the trees hard. They don't seem to be hungry. I fed a extra leaf of hay today and they still went to eating the bark off the trees. As for goats eating other things, they have been very good, now for stealing things that is a different thing. Don't leave gloves, hats, or anything else around, they will make you chase them to get it back.

wintrrwolf · #29 02/03/10, 07:06 PM

LOL still haven't found my wire cutters!

Minelson · #30 02/03/10, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momagoat61

when I got goats almost 16 years ago I build their first pasture lot in and around an orchard, there was peach, pears, plums, apples, etc. wonna guess how long the trees lasted?, all gone within probably one year. There's no telling how many baking soda boxes mine have eaten over the years. I go out to fill their mineral and baking soda feeders and get distracted and start looking for the empty baking soda box and its no where to be found, its like it just disppeared into thin air. I guess they get their share of extra fiber that way.

LOL! Yes! Mine do that too..It just disappears into the baking soda box black hole (aka..Gretta)

Briza · #31 02/03/10, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wintrrwolf

LOL still haven't found my wire cutters!

Well when you do would you check if they have mine as well?
DH is blaming ME!

B~

Pony · #32 02/04/10, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airotciv

Thanks everyone, I think it might be a mineral problem. I have noticed over the last month they are hitting the trees hard. They don't seem to be hungry. I fed a extra leaf of hay today and they still went to eating the bark off the trees. As for goats eating other things, they have been very good, now for stealing things that is a different thing. Don't leave gloves, hats, or anything else around, they will make you chase them to get it back.

Why does it have to be a mineral problem? It could be as simple as a matter of boredom.

Heck, it's the end of Winter, and there are days when I'm bored out of my gourd! Goats are very inquisitive creatures, and they need fun and stimulation. Chewing trees is a fine goat activity -- at least that's what my goats tell me!

airotciv · #33 02/05/10, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

So, the next question is.....

.... why aren't your goats fenced away from things you don't want eaten?

That an easy question because for 6 months they have not picked on this tree or any other tree. They have been good goats. So why now? Spring, minerals, food, etc. Thats the Question?

Edit: Pony they could be bored. I can only hang out with them for so long. If they are bored, need suggestions to keep them from getting bored.

Alice In TX/MO · #34 02/05/10, 06:29 PM

To reduce boredom, become inspired by the following links:

http://www.doubledurangofarm.com/id16.html

http://www.dairygoatjournal.com/issu..._Westvang.html

http://www.whitmanbarnyard.com/Playground.html

Pony · #35 02/05/10, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airotciv

That an easy question because for 6 months they have not picked on this tree or any other tree. They have been good goats. So why now? Spring, minerals, food, etc. Thats the Question?

Edit: Pony they could be bored. I can only hang out with them for so long. If they are bored, need suggestions to keep them from getting bored.

They're not being bad goats, not as such.

My goats didn't touch the weed trees for a good month after they got here. But once they discovered them -- WHOA!

Bad goat: Today, I was very irritated by Trub (Nubian). She was being an obnoxious little twerp, biting and chasing Clark away.

But Clark (Nigerian/Pygmy cross) took it in stride. He'd get out of her way when she'd start to chase him, but came up behind her when she wasn't looking and goose her!

airotciv · #36 02/06/10, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

To reduce boredom, become inspired by the following links:

http://www.doubledurangofarm.com/id16.html

http://www.dairygoatjournal.com/issu..._Westvang.html

http://www.whitmanbarnyard.com/Playground.html

Thank you for the links. I said to the DH that we need to give them a playground before I read your post. I drew up plans and I think we can go here. Your links helped alot. They will have a playground, the DH justs

and says another project.

Alice In TX/MO · #37 02/06/10, 05:43 PM

Don't tell anybody, but when you have goats, it's ALWAYS another project.