31

Goats / Trial ownership of Goats - Yes or No ?

« Last post by Lambic on August 19, 2025, 05:24:03 pm »

Hello Folks

Not sure how everything else, but the drought conditions in my area are insane. Pretty much had no proper rain since December. All the events seems to miss us. 

We bought our 30 acres 2.5 years ago.

I had designs on getting some goats, but the stories about their bad behaviour and persistent escape attempts has delayed the process.  However they do have character.

Been too busy creating ponds, planting trees, preparing an orchard etc

However, now I am thinking, it would nice to try owning some when I retire.

Can anybody advise temporary fencing etc ? Or advise not to do it

Secondly, my other half is keen on the hares and roe deer who live around the place. I know deer hate cattle and sheep, I assume they are not fond of goats either ?

Cheers

32

Pests and diseases / Re: Cat puncturing polytunnel

« Last post by doganjo on August 18, 2025, 06:48:26 pm »

 

Sorry to laugh 

I love cats for the mischief they get up to

Keep us posted 

33

Announcements / New diary post: Melons Tattie Bertie

« Last post by TAS Bot on August 18, 2025, 05:53:48 pm »

A new TAS diary entry has been posted: Melons Tattie Bertie

34

Sheep / Re: Ram lambs and fertility.

« Last post by SallyintNorth on August 12, 2025, 05:30:55 pm »

My experience includes :

• even if ewes of a breed are seasonal breeders, that's no guarantee that a ram of that breed won't find the necessary if the opportunity arises
• ewes which lambed within the last few months are less likely to cycle unseasonally than any which were geld.  The converse seems to be true, any adult ewes which did not lamb within the last few months are *very* likely to breed unseasonally if the opportunity arises.

My Shetland tup Nigel is nicknamed Ever Ready Golden Balls.  Thanks to his diligence ( ), I've had the following ewes lamb unseasonally :  pure Manx Loaghtan, pure Wensleydale, Icelandic x (with Texel and Shetland in the mix), BFL x Shetland.

35

Sheep / Re: Ram lambs and fertility.

« Last post by PipKelpy on August 11, 2025, 05:52:09 pm »

I've 1 tup lamb, Isaac, he's a Wiltshire Horn and will be 5 month old in another week or so. He's with siblings, hoggs that hopefully he'll be tupping in November, 4 ewes being culled and Dorset x lambs still On their mums as they were born a month later.

I haven't seen him sniff anyone.

However, Triplet, who was my Dorset Down tup, started tupping June 2004 when he was 5.5months old! Now that was a surprise!

DD can lamb whenever, don't think Wiltshire Horns can, so im not too worried at the moment.

36

Sheep / Re: Ram lambs and fertility.

« Last post by Blue Feather on August 11, 2025, 05:29:59 pm »

Wow, I didn't know this was a potential problem! I haven't been castrating any of my ram lambs. They stay with their mums until they are 5 to 6 months old then go for meat (end August). I haven't had any mishaps, after 7 lambings, so far...! (Jacob x sheep)

37

Announcements / New diary post: Storm Floris / Phlox / Sweetcorn

« Last post by TAS Bot on August 11, 2025, 08:33:52 am »

A new TAS diary entry has been posted: Storm Floris / Phlox / Sweetcorn

38

Sheep / Re: Ram lambs and fertility.

« Last post by Rosemary on August 11, 2025, 07:48:08 am »

Do none of you castrate the ram lambs then?

I only ever castrated ram lambs that I thought might not go fat in October and need to be overwintered - triplets and the like.

39

Pests and diseases / Re: Cat puncturing polytunnel

« Last post by Blue Feather on August 11, 2025, 07:46:56 am »

Thank you. That was the only solution I could thnk of too!

40

Sheep / Re: Ram lambs and fertility.

« Last post by twizzel on August 10, 2025, 08:48:48 pm »

Do none of you castrate the ram lambs then?

Castrate all of ours but keep 3 or 4 entire each year. This year kept 3 entire and have a rig too.