Tying up goat at feed time

Donna1982 · #1 01/26/12, 04:02 PM

I know some of you tie up your boys either while out with them or at feeding time. So my question would that work with the girls too. My four are NUTS at feed time. They run back and forth to each food dish. Scream push each other out of the way. Its a night mare. I would like to see a little more "order" (which is a lot to ask of a goat I know). So I was wondering if I tied them up by a food dish (I use the plastic black mineral feeds from TSC) if that would one help any two work. Right now I am not even sure how much is getting because they do not stay at one dish for more then 10 seconds.

Also another question for everyone to weigh in on. I put a little oil ontop of their feed. I was wondering is there anyways to use the used oil I cook with? Granted I would strain it a tons of times. I was thinking today if that is possible without making them sick what a good way to keep the extra oil out of the earth and same a little money to boot.

Backfourty,MI. · #2 01/26/12, 04:06 PM

I don't see why you can't tie each of your girls up at a deginated spot for each to eat out of their own dish.
Hubby & I do that sort of only theirs 2 of us so we don't actually tie them up but each one has a spot they go to when it's time to eat & we stay right their with them to make sure they all eat their own.

You know what little piggies they are it only takes us a few minutes.

Why do you topdress their feed with oil? I can't help with that question as the only time I've done that is if I needed to add AC, etc. to the feed & needed it to stick.

Donna1982 · #3 01/26/12, 04:18 PM

I had asked about the oil before because we cannot afford BOSS. Someone else here (can't remember who) does the same thing.

Patrick · #4 01/26/12, 04:31 PM

It is probably against the law to tie up your children.

You can tie up your does, if that's what works for you, but it seems like a lot of work every day. Key hole feeders, one for each doe, should keep them each to their own until their ration is gone. If they do decide to push one away, that goat will quickly learn to go to the open feeder for it's food.

If you are feeding a balanced ration, you do not need to add any kind of oil. In some cases it may do more harm than good.

Alice In TX/MO · #5 01/26/12, 04:52 PM

Yes, there are several folks on here and other boards who have individual feeders with a short leash and clip by each. Stops the dashing.

I did it for a while, but then I cut back the numbers of goats in my herd.

farmmom · #6 01/26/12, 05:03 PM

My girls all get tied at feeding time. My youngest does would get nothing if I didn't do this.

goatlady · #7 01/26/12, 05:09 PM

My girls get their rations only when they are on the milk stand. That way I know who gets what. Also gives me the opportunity to check them for any injury and when necessary I can do a little hoof trimming or medicating/worming at the same time. Sure saves on confusion and makes feeding time a joy. Plus the added benefit of having them already trained to the stand. I feed the boys on the stand also. Makes it easy to work with them when trimming and worming, etc.

Donna1982 · #8 01/26/12, 05:43 PM

What do you use to tie them up with?

Backfourty,MI. · #9 01/26/12, 05:56 PM

What about those plastic collars folks use on their goats that snap off easily, would those work for your set up? You could attach them to a clip where the feeders are at.

Donna1982 · #10 01/26/12, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backfourty,MI.

What about those plastic collars folks use on their goats that snap off easily, would those work for your set up? You could attach them to a clip where the feeders are at.

I was thinking that since they already have them on. Well one still does the rest have pulled their collars off. The only thing with them is if you put any pressure on it the break off. Which is good if you dont want them to be choked to death but not if you want to keep them in one place.

nehimama · #11 01/26/12, 07:04 PM

I'm about to start doing that. I'm really tired of being nearly run down by BIG, FAT, PREGNANT goats!

Backfourty,MI. · #12 01/26/12, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna1982

I was thinking that since they already have them on. Well one still does the rest have pulled their collars off. The only thing with them is if you put any pressure on it the break off. Which is good if you dont want them to be choked to death but not if you want to keep them in one place.

Maybe use regular collars until they get the idea what's going on & which feeder is there's. I'd feed them at the same feeder everyday.
Then you can always go back to the plastic collars that snap off easily.

Ranger · #13 01/26/12, 08:34 PM

I'm not sure that used cooking oil is a good idea. It absorbs everything from the food. Fresh corn or safflower oil might be better.

Donna1982 · #14 01/26/12, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger

I'm not sure that used cooking oil is a good idea. It absorbs everything from the food. Fresh corn or safflower oil might be better.

Thanks that's what I was thinking too. Ill stick with how I'm doing it

Suzyq2u · #15 01/26/12, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nehimama

I'm about to start doing that. I'm really tired of being nearly run down by BIG, FAT, PREGNANT goats!

Boy that sounds familiar!

nehimama · #16 01/26/12, 10:49 PM

" Boy that sounds familiar! "

And you can't get out of the way! They bull right past you, having NO IDEA how WIDE they are, and those bellies just mash you out of their way!

chewie · #17 01/26/12, 11:04 PM

i've been tying each doe to her own spot for a few years now. a short hunk of rope, old dog leash, anything, fairly short since the bucket is on the wall right next to them. i use large clips on the ropes, and just wrap it around and clip it like a collar. its not like they will be tied this way for long, and never unattended. or a collar, left on the tether, goat comes in, gets collared/tethered. this is until they kid, then only fed grains on the stand. as preggers, they just get a small ration.

I got so sick of the mad rush!! I will not be bullied by my own animals! and when they are tied, i go about putting hay in the feeder, water in buckets, etc. I will let them loose when I am good and ready. they learn to stand quietly til I loose them.

I also be sure to let the more timid ones loose first, those pushy queens can beat me to the timid girls and give them a good head butt before I can stop them! kinda mean, tie them up and then the bully can get em! so I make the queen loose last.

lazysheep · #18 01/26/12, 11:21 PM

Used, cooked oil has no nutritive value besides fat calories. It oxidizes during cooking and contributes cancer causing particles to whatever eats it. Used cooking oil is only good for putting in a machine. That goes for humans or animals! Don't re-use your cooking oil.

Backfourty,MI. · #19 01/27/12, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lazysheep

Used, cooked oil has no nutritive value besides fat calories. It oxidizes during cooking and contributes cancer causing particles to whatever eats it. Used cooking oil is only good for putting in a machine. That goes for humans or animals! Don't re-use your cooking oil.

Thanks for the info, I never had heard that before & re-use my oil for deep frying fish a few times before throwing it out.
I guess I should start with new oil each time.

nehimama · #20 01/27/12, 06:34 AM

Excellent advice, Chewie. Thanks so much for your insight and input. Letting the more timid ones loose first makes sense!