Silly goats!

[2happymamas]

Our goats are something. Whenever we put them out in their fenced in area, they stand by the gate. All day long. They rarely leave that area. We've had them for about three weeks now and they hardly ever go into the yard. Is this normal? I figured they'd want to run and play in the yard, but nope. They just stand at the gate all day long, lol.

[o&itw]

Any chance they are afraid of something out in the pasture?

[Alice In TX/MO]

Have you walked them around the area? Stayed with them out in the nice browsing area and where the shade is? You are the herd leader, and you have to exhibit the behavior you want.

If you are feeding them by the gate, move the feeders to the back of the area.

[PKBoo]

Ours will stay near the barn, where they can see us We've got 3 adults, and 6 kids under 4 months old.

I go out a few times a day, and take them for a 'walk' up into the pasture. If I sit with them, they're happy to stay there for as long as I am there. Sometimes they stay when I go back in; most of the time they don't.

I started cutting branches and throwing them over the fence, way at the top of the pasture. They will now go out and check to see if there's anything new there all by themselves!

[dozedotz]

PKBoo, Excellent advice-idea. Our boys were all just naturally willing to explore. Right from day one they travelled all over their acre-plus enclosure with or without the dog! The girls were a whole different story! I thought they would NEVER use all that fenced territory. It took lots and lots of long walks over months to get them comfortable. They are just more easily startled.