can goats be free ranged?

[knuckledragger]

I'm relatively new to the world of goats, so this may be a stupid question, but here goes.

We are about to get some goats, and we have a fenced in area for them, but right next to it is an area that is overgrown with willow and other things that goats like to eat. It is bordered on one side by fencing, and on the other by a small creek. To the North is a dense line of small saplings along a barbed wire fence. On all sides, there is not much that would draw their attention in terms of stuff they would like to eat. How hard would it be to "free range" my goats? If I let them out, would they likely stay in the area that has all the best browse?

[CarolynRenee]

Goats are most likely to jump the fence to wherever you don't want them to be.

I'm only half-joking.

When you say "free-range" do you mean with no additional feed like hay or grain?

[beccachow]

I would be deathly afraid of that barbed wire. Goats ALWAYS think there is something better "over there!" Short answer, yes and no. When I let mine out they have to be right next to ME (I guess I am the "queen") to the point that one of them greeted me at the top of my kitchen steps, outside the door because I went in for a drink. They WILL stay ultimately pretty close to where food and shelter is, as in, they won't wander too far away from home. Worries also might be, are you sure there isn't any stuff that is poisonous to goats that they can get in to, cause I guarantee, they WILL find it!! The creek might be ok, most goats don't like getting their dainty hooves wet. But the barbed wire scares me a bit. Goats are cute, but stupid as heck.

WHen you get the goats, keep them inside the pen for a week or so, get them used to having that as the safety zone, maybe give tiny amounts of grain in a tin coffee can and shake it around so they associate that sound with food and will be easier to pack in at night. I also discovered a squirt gun is both effective and amusing at "herding" goats and sheep, lol.

These are my experiences only, I am sure others with more experience will be able to give better advice.

[pookshollow]

A lot depends on what type of goats you're getting, too. If you're just getting some wethers to clean up the brush, they'd probably do fine. If you want high-producing dairy goats - nope.

As to whether or not they'll stay in the area, hard to say. Some goats don't want to leave the barn, and others tend to hightail it over the far hills.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Don't turn them out right away. They need time to adjust and feel at HOME. Take them for walks on a leash so they get the idea that you are the goat herd, and they will form a bond with you.

However, don't assume that you know what they want to eat. They WILL surprise you.

Also, free range may include your carport or deck, in which case they will tap dance on your Toyota and poop on your patio furniture.

I have a fence between the house and the goat pen, and during the day, they have access to a pasture and woods. They don't go far unless I go with them. I don't have a LGD. HOWEVER, their comfort in going out is after three or four years of living here.

There are regularly stories of NEW goats taking off cross country trying to return home after arriving at new digs. Get yours settled in before trying anything fancy. Take baby steps.

[NataliaTwoDoes]

I do let my goats out to browse without fencing on all sides but I have to watch them closely or they will take themselves on a walk through the neighborhood... they come running when I shake my grain can at them though so I dont have to chase to get them back either. I'm by no means an expert here but I would think its okay as long as you are home to check on them every few minutes and they are tame enough to come to you when you need them to.

[mary,tx]

I assure you goats will go wherever you most don't want them unless they are securely fenced. And barbed wire will make a nasty tear on a goats udder or teat.

[beccachow]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Also, free range may include your carport or deck, in which case they will tap dance on your Toyota and poop on your patio furniture.

.

Thanks. Off to get a towel to sponge water up I just spit out on the computer.

[Minelson]

Mine free range














I wouldn't have it any other way

[Goat Servant]

Lovely pics Min, as usual.

[CaliannG]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Also, free range may include your carport or deck, in which case they will tap dance on your Toyota and poop on your patio furniture.

Oh, this is beautiful! I laughed and read it aloud to the household! I love your turn of phrase!

And this is SO true.

To the OP:

Other than turning everything you don't want them messing up into a lounging area, and eating all of your marigolds, there are other problems with "free-ranging" goats.

I have 10 fenced acres. Most of the buildings are in the front part of the rectangular-shaped piece of land. (Short sides of the rectangle to the front and back)

Now, which would you think my goats would rather do:

1. Wander behind the buildings to the 8 unfettered acres of mixed grasses, legumes, weeds, saplings, trees, etc., all things goats are supposed to love to munch upon.

2. Paw at the front fenceline until they make a gap so they can squeeze themselves UNDER the fence, and go munch dead, dried old sawgrass from last year, which has about as much nutritional value for them as sawdust, while jumping and playing IN THE ROAD!

ANYONE who has had goats for a year or more knows which answer is true. You get to guess.

********************************

Now, as everyone else has said, llet your goats get accustomed to where "home" is... and also if I were you, I'd train them to some kind of signal or noise... get them to associate that signal or noise to "it's time to eat!" and later to "it's time for love and scratches and pets!"

I have had my DH have a heck of a time trying to get goats INTO where they are supposed to be or OUT of somewhere they are not supposed to be, have absolutely NO luck (although the goats love him), come into the house frustrated and saying, "Would you PLEASE go out on the front steps and sing?!"

This was completely unintentional, but has turned out to be useful. Through the years, when I am about to milk, or when I come out to give my goats treats, or when I have wanted to take them for a walk, I would sing "Hello my baby! Hello my darling! Hello my ragtime gals!" at them. They have come to associate that song with "Mama wants us to come to her for something good!" New goats on the property quickly learn from the veterans, because whenever I sing that song, goats come running...and new goats follow the herd.

On the question: Given a choice, I would not allow my goats to go someplace where they could just wander away without my supervision. Stick a chair out on the area with all the willow and weeds and make it a ritual to grab a hot or cold cup/glass of your favorite beverage and lead your goats out there for a certain amount of time per day. You'd be amazed how that alleviates YOUR stress as well as their greed.

[freedomfrom4]

Mine only go out under supervision. The neighbor dogs would kill them if I wasn't there. So we go out in the woods for a snack every evening. I have one odd ball who insists on running back home to investigate the garden to drive me bonkers You could give them the best treats in the world and they will eat anything you don't want them to. Also the bucklings can go in and out the pipe gate still and they run off with stuff like my hubby's tools when he is working on the cars. They are also go under the car with hubby and untie his shoe laces and investigate what he is doing. I'm waiting for them to get big enough where they are stuck in the fence.
And if you have neighbors I wouldn't let them out without supervision. You want to be a good neighbor

[Reb]

Oh Min, what a cast of characters you have!!!! They seem like a gang of nosy old ladies checking up on you. That is what I want. Take care, Reb

[Alice In TX/MO]

That is SO right about helping you with projects. Goats love screwdrivers, pliers, power tools, etc. If they had thumbs, we'd be in *serious* trouble.

[Backfourty,MI.]

Alice you are tooo Funny & also right!
Min, you always have the cutest & funniest pictures, gave me a chuckle this morning!

Mine do free range alot but not so much this time of year because they think they want to eat my flowers & bushes(the veggie garden is fenced in). But after the garden & flowers are done in the fall the girls pretty much have run of the place most of the time. They do have a pen & a section in the barn & they get locked up in one of them at night.

My bucks don't free range alot unless I'm out there with them. They tend to get into toooo much trouble! I guess it's like the saying "Boys will be Boys". They want to get into the rabbits J feeders & eat the pellets, etc.

[Minelson]

Mine do get locked up inside at night because of the coyotes. And they do get into trouble...mostly with hubby. I'm more forgiving because I love them so much Hubby doesn't love them. at all.

[southerngurl]

If find that my does won't go to the best browse, out in the woods as they don't feel safe. They like to be within sight of the house, or with other livestock they may range out more. If you had guardian dogs that would work too. Goats have a natural desire to change where they eat so they will go here and there. They may eat in one area for a week straight and suddenly just go somewhere else. They may not bother your favorite tree for three months straight and then just tear it to bits. They may ignore your car for a year and then scratch it up.

The biggest problem with free ranging them is concern for predators.

My bucks, however, will range further than my does. I alternate their time outside their pens. The bucks never bug us up at the house, the does I have to run them out of the yard all the time.

[gila_dog]

Unless you have no neighbors nearby, I wouldn't recommend it. First they would probably go eat all kinds of expensive things like fruit trees and gardens. Second, they are extremely vulnerable (and attractive) to dogs.

[madness]

Minelson, I've said it before and I'll say it again. You have three very weird looking dogs running around your place!

[Bearfootfarm]

can goats be free ranged?

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