How To Feed

Tadpole · #1 01/10/08, 04:24 AM

I have tried all different ways. pourd in before they come in

,waited till they come in

everything I try they just take me down. O have 15 goats and it seems they are just acting a fool. They are not wanting to eat that bad just trying to get in the feed room, to get to it first. Any Ideas on what to do? They can be out eating hay and see me here they come ro take me down, most I have had since the were all babys and they are over a year old now. Try to get one out and the fight is on, they all want to get out.

MB · #2 01/10/08, 09:03 AM

Mine get clipped to the fence in the same place every day and after they are hooked up get their breakfast. It took maybe two days of this before they were all darting for their special spots. They don't get unclipped until everyone is done. This may not be feasible with that many but it works for us.

Bearfootfarm · #3 01/10/08, 10:58 AM

Set up your feeders so the goats are on one side and you can fill it from the other side without them being able to get where YOU are.
Many put them on a fenceline so as to be able to fill them from outside. Being in the middle of a crowd of hungry animals can be dangerous

Freeholder · #4 01/10/08, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

Set up your feeders so the goats are on one side and you can fill it from the other side without them being able to get where YOU are.
Many put them on a fenceline so as to be able to fill them from outside. Being in the middle of a crowd of hungry animals can be dangerous

Ditto. I don't even feed hay from inside the goat pen (although they always have hay so are never that desperate for it). Grain, they fight over, so you really don't want to be in there with them.

I used to do the 'clip everyone to the fence' thing for feeding grain, and will probably go back to it soon. I was doing it with 12 or so goats -- it takes a few minutes, but not that bad, and they each only get their own grain.

Kathleen

hoofinitnorth · #5 01/10/08, 01:27 PM

I agree with the suggestion to tie or restrain the animals for grain feedings. I use my milk stand. 2 goats at a time, ALL go up for grain (since all are breeding and/or lactating right now) twice daily. When they don't need grain, I'll still put them up at least once daily for the routine and the attention. Good time to check feet, ears, eyes, rear ends, etc. This is easily done when you only have a few goats (I have 6 now so it's still a fairly small operation). Get upwards of 30 goats and this may not work for you!

The other thing to do is leash train your goats and teach them to respect your space. This will help you leaps and bounds, especially at feeding time.

Although it's convenient to feed from outside the stall, don't let yourself fall into a routine of not entering the stall and handling your goats. This helps keep them easy to handle and accustomed to people AND helps you see injuries or spot illnesses early enough to treat them.

Alice In TX/MO · #6 01/10/08, 01:35 PM

I mounted a feeder to the outside wall of my feed room, but it's under the lounging area roof, and cut a pass through hatch in the wall to the feeder. I can feed without being in the same area as the goats.

Saves my toes.

susanne · #7 01/10/08, 01:46 PM

for my adult does, i have the feeder outside. my kids can still run me over

my bucks have learned to respect my space and wait until i have the feeder filled.

Tadpole · #8 01/11/08, 03:44 AM

I do have a feed thing on the outside of the fence but,,they also push and push and try to get everybodys food. So I think the Idea of putting them one the milk stand to eat is a great idea. I have two and that sounds like it might work well for me. I only have 15 now but waiting on littleones too for the year anytime. Thanks to all

nehimama · #9 01/11/08, 05:56 AM

I only have 13 at the moment, and this works for me. They are penned, a few to a a pen, in four diff pens. (Depending on their kidding dates.) It's MUCH easier to wade through 3 or 4 goats than a whole herd of them. YOU COULD GET KILLED!

NeHi

DocM · #10 01/11/08, 07:26 AM

Kick them out, fill the feeders, then let them back in. Perhaps its your set up that needs to be corrected. Analyze your traffic pattern and go from there.

wardarden · #11 01/11/08, 08:25 AM

Hi Tadpole,

I follow the same procedure as many others have said. 8 does and they all have their spot in the barn with a 2' chain with snaps on both ends. Before I even put any grain out they all get snapped to their spot, which they learn. Then when everybody is secured I bring each of them their little bucket with their own amount of feed for their needs. Then I put hay out while they are tied so I can come and go through the gates without worrying about escapes! Most of them go ahead and lay down when they are done eating, waiting for me to come let them go. In this way I can make sure that one or two bully does are not getting all the grain and if someone is off their feed or not feeling well I know it pretty quick. I highly suggest this method!
Best of luck to you in your upcoming kidding season!

Arden

fishhead · #12 01/11/08, 08:36 AM

I could see even a medium sized goat take out your knee. It only takes about 10 pounds pressure from the right direction. If you do have to fight your way through them at feeding time be sure to keep your knees slightly bent.

Tadpole · #13 01/11/08, 05:45 PM

I'M thinking of fixing the barn to have a trough and a head restraint for each one till all is throught. I could let half in at a time. for I'm noe that big yet. this summer I'll add more building to what I already have. Right now I have my feed mixed and just scoop buckets full to feed. They have free excess to hay all the time tho an minerals. For I have 15 grown goats and soon to be more little ones.