Goats won't walk out to browse

Alice In TX/MO · #1 05/20/08, 04:47 PM

Our dairy goat's browse and pasture area is long and narrow, running down the hill, away from the house.

They won't go more than 30 feet or so down the hill.

They stay up at the top end, where they can see our house and us working in the garden, etc.

If WE go down the hill, they will come with us and browse.

We have a cross fence, but they will jump it to get back to their favorite end of the pasture.

Why is this a problem? Goat poo, flies, etc., at the end where they hang out. They've just about eaten everything at that end, too.

Any discussion and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

coondog · #2 05/20/08, 05:51 PM

maybe they're scared?

KSALguy · #3 05/20/08, 06:22 PM

or CoDependent,

southerngurl · #4 05/20/08, 07:06 PM

They probably don't feel safe. My goats will not go browse the woods alone either. If the horses go in the woods, they will stay with them though.

yarrow · #5 05/20/08, 07:14 PM

My does don't like to go out into the woods without either Bob Barker or Lola (the LGD's) going with them. The dog doesn't have to stay right next to them, but they want to be able to run back to the dog if they get spooked. If they wander off & can't see the dog/dogs.. all it takes is one bark (could just be the dogs heard something and let out a woof) ALL the does will come at full speed, back towards the dogs or the house... The younger does who have never known life without Bob & Lola. If they become scared they will literally squeeze between the dogs until they know everything is alright..
...BUT.. my bet is Rose isn't going to want to have to get LGD's.. not with all the hauling from MO to TX she does...
susie, mo ozarks

Minelson · #6 05/20/08, 07:48 PM

I have the same problem. We have this huge, thick, lush grove that could use a good cleaning out by the goats...and where do they hang out? The concrete driveway.

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...ZM2bloyYg9vPgY
I walk them into the grove area and they love it! But I walk away and within 5 minutes they are back on the driveway looking into the kitchen through the patio doors. UGH! I think the only way we will be able to keep them out there is to fence it in. Knuckleheads!

Alice In TX/MO · #7 05/20/08, 09:17 PM

OK, goats are weird. There's really nothing there that's any different from where they are except proximity to the humans!

The short time we had mini goats, they went all the way down the hill.

Hmmmm.

And, no, I'm not getting another dog. We already have a rat terrier, a Basset, and a German Shepherd mix. None of which I really like!

I guess I'll move the feeder down the hill gradually and spend more time with them at the bottom of the slope. Maybe they'll figure it out.

Goat Servant · #8 05/20/08, 11:30 PM

Minelson in addition to your post that pic was priceless !!

For some reason they just decide what their safety zone is and stay there. Especially if its uphill or near your house. Poop, flies and you pulling your hair out!

goatsareus · #9 05/21/08, 05:19 AM

yes, Rose, goats are weird. I believe it is a social and a safely issue. At times, we have not had any brave goats in the herd and they would mostly stay in the barn. But at other times, we have had one goat who would lead the herd out every day into the woods. And they do spook easily; bunnies, crows, leaves blowing, any threatening episode like that will send them running to the barn. I would try leading them into that area every day to get them used to it.

ozark_jewels · #10 05/21/08, 06:34 AM

I totally agree with Susie on this one. They do not feel safe without you or an LGD or two to go with them.
All these goats came from me and when they were here they browsed on over 70 acres every day....all over the 70 acres. But they never went out without the LGD.

4Hmomwyo · #11 05/21/08, 01:14 PM

Well....convince them that you don't want them to go down there and it will take a miracle to keep them away!!!!

After all isn't it a goat's job to do the exact opposite of what we want?

crazygoatgal · #12 05/21/08, 02:57 PM

These responses were so funny that I just had to tell you all. Who says real life isn't all that funny? They just haven't had goats!

goatsareus · #13 05/21/08, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Hmomwyo

Well....convince them that you don't want them to go down there and it will take a miracle to keep them away!!!!

After all isn't it a goat's job to do the exact opposite of what we want?

LOL

I can't tell you how many times that has been our strategy

CountryHaven · #14 05/21/08, 08:51 PM

LOL at that pic Minelson. Yep, sounds like they are feeling a bit insecure about leaving site of 'homebase'.

Alice In TX/MO · #15 05/21/08, 08:58 PM

I do believe you have the problem figured out for me. It never occurred to me about the lack of the herd dog causing them to hesitate to explore.

I moved their feeder and two of their toys about 15 feet down the hill. They seem OK with that. I'll give them a week and move it again.

THANK YOU!

CookingPam777 · #16 05/22/08, 06:53 AM

Mine are the same way except I can't even do chores near them. They want my full atteantion or back in their pen where they can peek in the house and make sure I'm still in there.

CookingPam777 · #17 05/22/08, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Hmomwyo

Well....convince them that you don't want them to go down there and it will take a miracle to keep them away!!!!

After all isn't it a goat's job to do the exact opposite of what we want?

Tell me about it. I was giving my little buck some green weeds and he decided he didn't like it so I was going to give it to another then he is suddenly so interested. I grabbed his nose playfully and said you didn't want it remember? Hehehe.