What is wrong with my goats?

TroutRiver · #1 01/02/12, 03:46 PM

I guess to give a brief context for this, I am most likely going to be moving out west next Fall, so did not want to make a huge time/money investment into building a really solid fence for the goats' winter enclosure, since it will most likely only be used for one winter, and will be taken down next fall.

That said, I have a confession to make...I built the worst fence ever this year to keep the goats into their winter enclosure. Seriously, this fence is an embarrassment. It looks like it was built by a couple of 10 year olds. There are huge gaps in some places at the bottom of the fence from the uneven ground... the wire mesh sags down in some places to where it's only about 2 feet tall, and the gate... well... there isn't one. Just the leftover roll of wire mesh leaning against a fence post where the gate should be. I was going to build a gate but never got around to it.

And the goats haven't escaped once, haven't even tried! *knock on wood* they haven't figured out that all they would have to do is nudge that roll of wire, and it would fall right over and they'd be free... they haven't figured out that 2 feet isn't that high to jump. I'm worried there might be something wrong with them... like they might not actually be goats...

mekasmom · #2 01/02/12, 03:49 PM

All I know is they certainly aren't pygmy! They escape from anything. Your goats must be well fed and happy, so they don't try to escape.

Countrygrl3 · #3 01/02/12, 03:50 PM

Aliens!!

Mine would get out just to show me they got out and then get back in the way they came, wagging their lil tails as they go

HappyFarmer · #4 01/02/12, 04:04 PM

Your goats will get out sooner rather than later, I just hope they don't get tangled in that roll of wire you are using for a gate....frozen to the ground alive, or just as bad head for that nice green rhododendrun that is one of the few greeneries available this time of year.

Seriously, get some goat panels and create a fence, albeit a small one, for their winter pasture. The ground will be frozen for the most part, so when it isn't move it to fresh ground using existing trees/buildings or stabilizer posts put into the ground now before it freezes solid.

HF

chamoisee · #5 01/02/12, 04:43 PM

They're just contented enough to stay where they are. :-)

And when you move, get stock panels.

Alice In TX/MO · #6 01/02/12, 05:25 PM

Now you've done it. They READ this board, and you've bragged on them. Absolutely a jinx. They will ALL get out tonight unless you bring them cookies this evening.

Donna1982 · #7 01/02/12, 05:34 PM

Mine would get out and forget how they did it and be stuck on the other side lol.

Backfourty,MI. · #8 01/02/12, 06:03 PM

Yep, tomarrow your going to find them all in the front yard!
Mine would never stay in that fence & like Donna's would then wonder how to get back in with the few that never escaped!

beccachow · #9 01/02/12, 06:21 PM

I have given up on the pygmys. They just come and go as they please.

bee · #10 01/02/12, 06:36 PM

Seriously people you have missed the REAL truth. What we have here is the proof that GOATS READ MINDS!!! And they don't want to risk being left behind when you leave..."better the humans we know....."

prairiedog · #11 01/02/12, 07:26 PM

Ours have never gotten out unless we left the gate open.

Ranger · #12 01/02/12, 10:13 PM

Mine get out just to show me that they can.

TroutRiver · #13 01/03/12, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyFarmer

Your goats will get out sooner rather than later, I just hope they don't get tangled in that roll of wire you are using for a gate....frozen to the ground alive, or just as bad head for that nice green rhododendrun that is one of the few greeneries available this time of year.

Seriously, get some goat panels and create a fence, albeit a small one, for their winter pasture. The ground will be frozen for the most part, so when it isn't move it to fresh ground using existing trees/buildings or stabilizer posts put into the ground now before it freezes solid.

HF

Um...sorry, but frozen to the ground alive? Tangled up in the roll of wire that's on the outside of the fence? Seems a little far fetched to me, especially since they are right outside my front door. I'm pretty sure I would notice before they were frozen to the ground alive, and I have never in my life heard of that happening to anyone. I don't know that cattle panels would solve the problem of having uneven ground and gaps in the bottom of the fence. It would solve the problem of sagging/loose fencing, but IMO that is a lot of money to spend to only solve half of the problem. Plus right now it is simply out of my price range The wire mesh that I have is small, they cannot fit their heads through the holes. There is also no rhododendron anywhere on my property.

The goats have a large enclosure with a solid, draft-free, deep bedded shelter, 2 hay feeders (1 indoors, 1 outdoors), 5 pans for alfalfa pellets, free choice loose minerals and baking soda, 2 water dishes that are filled with warm water 2-3 times per day this time of year to make sure they have drinkable water at all times. Sorry if you think my goats are neglected because of my sub-par fence, but I assure you they are not. It is far too late into the winter to put more fence posts in the ground, and as soon as there is fresh browse they will be out on pasture and in the woods with electric netting. I do appreciate your concern, though.

Ranger · #14 01/03/12, 03:21 PM

Sent you a PM

Hollowdweller · #15 01/03/12, 05:24 PM

You are feeding them.

HappyFarmer · #16 01/03/12, 07:01 PM

You read my post correctly. Goats are accident prone as are many other species, I guess until it happens to you it incomprehensible. I'm also in the northeast with the deep snow, sleet, blizzards, high winds that muffle sounds. Did I state I hope it (anything bad) doesn't happen to your goats?

We put our last poles for additional shelter in the ground 2 weeks ago, the warm weather allowed us some extra time and we took advantage of it.

Your descriptions leave the reality and imagination wide open for many mishaps to happen, the 2 scenarios I typed were to try to get you and others reading your brag that adequate fencing will help not only contain but also help protect the animals it is meant to. Substitute Rhodedendrun with Mountain Laurel, antifreeze, cars, not quite frozen pond, or any number of potentially deadly items wether on your property or not-if the goats get out they don't know where your property boundry is, nor I doubt you are at your window 24/7/365 days a year. I'm sorry that you take offense to the possibilities I stated. And no, I'm not picking on you, and no my fencing is not perfect, and yes I have had animals die due to my thinking I had adequately taken care of something. The guilt is incredible and hindsight makes you think twice & do it correctly the next time, and when someone is making the mistake you made, well it's only natural to try to inform them of the potentials.

I never said you were neglective of your animals, I cannot help if you feel I was insinuating that. I was not. I tend to be blunt and to the point I am trying to make. If you prefer me to make light of the inadequate fencing then feel sorry when one is harmed later, sorry it ain't gonna happen. I'd rather point out the possibilities in such a situation and hopefully preventative measures can be taken. I'd rather NOT read about a hurt goat and I'm sure others don't either, though all want to help when it happens in any way they can.

The purpose of my post was to point out that any number of things can happen with inadequate fencing (or anything really), and just because an animal doesn't do something normally doesn't mean they wont.

Again I'm sorry I offended you, and I'm very glad you feel they are as safe as you can make them. I'm also glad I posted what I did, maybe just maybe it will get someone (general someone not specific) thinking they should fix that fence before something tragic happens.....

I wish you a Happy New Year and hope your move goes well.

HF