The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: ambriel on November 05, 2011, 12:54:25 pm
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We have two lovely goats, Bella and Flash, but have come to the sad decision that we probably ought to find a better home for them.
The problem is that our land is very poorly drained and whilst the Kunes don't seem to mind this I know it's far from ideal for goats.
Flash appears to be a toggenberg and Bella a Saanen. No idea if they're purebred or crossed though. Both adult and around 4 years old we think. Neither has been in kid but they should make excellent milking goats if they were to be. Both very friendly and used to being handled.
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Oh and both tagged.
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I'm so tempted since mine only produced one male this year but I live too far away in Shropshire. Hope you find a good home for them.
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Where in the North of Scotland are you? x
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We're way up in the north west corner - Kinlochbervie.
They're lovely girls and I wouldn't be doing this if our land was better drained. I've thought about converting part of our barn so they could be kept indoors over the winter.
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I'd go for that. My girls have a shed and a yard and are happy and healthy. :goat: :goat:
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Some of my goats are housed all winter - they do not mind, so long as food is available. It does give my grass a good rest. If all 16 were out full time, we would have one muddy farm, with no grass.
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My goats are inside for most of the winter - field is too wet, needs a rest and the girls are happier inside! I take the pregnant ladies outside for walks though, especially in the last months - they don't appreciate it! Kids/goatlings get some lead training as well, but am not too worried about them.
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Ours too stay inside for the winter- too wet for their feet ouside, and they would just turn the field to mud!
Beth
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lots of posts about keeping goats inside in the winter...making me wonder about our arrangement.
do you think my girls would be happier (2 of them) in a 12x12 stable over the winter than their shed with access to outdoors.....the only problem being that the access is through a rather churned up, muddy boggy section..havent seen them outside for a day or two, so am thinking that they are just staying indoor. shed doesnt have natural light.....
stable doesnt have a door they can see over but it does get natural light
what would others do?
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Well, it looks like I've found a new home for them. A very nice lady with 2 acres they can enjoy and who already has other livestock. It'll be a shame to see them go because they're so lovely but their welfare must come first.
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lots of posts about keeping goats inside in the winter...making me wonder about our arrangement.
do you think my girls would be happier (2 of them) in a 12x12 stable over the winter than their shed with access to outdoors.....the only problem being that the access is through a rather churned up, muddy boggy section..havent seen them outside for a day or two, so am thinking that they are just staying indoor. shed doesnt have natural light.....
stable doesnt have a door they can see over but it does get natural light
what would others do?
I've noticed mine walk out on some concrete building blocks I left along the bottom of the doorway. can't you drop a couple of breeze/concrete blocks down or something for them to use as stepping stones? It would be a shame to fasten them in untill the bad weather comes in. They might even enjoy the novelty :).
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I've noticed mine walk out on some concrete building blocks I left along the bottom of the doorway. can't you drop a couple of breeze/concrete blocks down or something for them to use as stepping stones? It would be a shame to fasten them in untill the bad weather comes in. They might even enjoy the novelty :).
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fab idea, i'll get on the case with that then...thanks
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Most goats will stay happily inside for most of the winter - not much to eat for them outside anyway. If you can have yours in with horses they can seee and hear, they should be very happy!
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lots of posts about keeping goats inside in the winter...making me wonder about our arrangement.
do you think my girls would be happier (2 of them) in a 12x12 stable over the winter than their shed with access to outdoors.....the only problem being that the access is through a rather churned up, muddy boggy section..havent seen them outside for a day or two, so am thinking that they are just staying indoor. shed doesnt have natural light.....
stable doesnt have a door they can see over but it does get natural light
what would others do?
Ultimately, Dairy Goats are dairy animals- just like Dairy Cows. How many dairy cows do you see with access outside for 24 hours a day in the winter? We live in a dairy cattle area, and all the surrounding dairy cows are now in for the winter...
Natural daylight is very important for goats.
Beth
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Well, it looks like I've found a new home for them. A very nice lady with 2 acres they can enjoy and who already has other livestock. It'll be a shame to see them go because they're so lovely but their welfare must come first.
Glad to hear you have found them a new home ambriel.
Beth
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so i think i'm going to leave them where they are, so they can come out as and when they want to, i'll put some hardcore or type 1 or something like that down outside their doorway if i cant find breeze block typ e things and just let them get on with it. that way they can choose their own 'lifestyle' which is how i try and keep all my other animals anyways.
makes me feel a bit happier...tho if i could find a unused pony trailer that would be even better ;)
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so i think i'm going to leave them where they are, so they can come out as and when they want to, i'll put some hardcore or type 1 or something like that down outside their doorway if i cant find breeze block typ e things and just let them get on with it. that way they can choose their own 'lifestyle' which is how i try and keep all my other animals anyways.
makes me feel a bit happier...tho if i could find a unused pony trailer that would be even better ;)
Mine are in at night but have access outside during 'decent' days, but will probably be fastened in when it's not reasonable outside, most weather they like to play out for a while, (naughty girls wouldn't come in tonight, had to use bribery ;D)
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Well, our two girls went away with their new keeper yesterday morning. She's very nice and I've no doubt they'll be very well looked after.
The garden does seem a lot emptier without them though, despite the Kunes barging around like they do, and the hens.
I guess I can start taking down some of the Stalag Luft fences now.
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Glad you found someone nice but feel for you. Can't imagine life without my girls. :goat: :goat:
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I know what you mean. They give so much back.
They really weren't enjoying our wet ground though.
Maybe if I can get some better draining land I'll get some more.