[plumseverywhere]

Have been a bit worried about this for a while now... the farmer opposite always clears his hill of sheep, builds a huge bonfire and has a big event, which is lovely and the whole village loves it. His hill is about 30 metres from ours, literally separated by a road.  I'm wondering if my goats will freak, even if I shut them in their shed?
the other night mr fox paid a visit adn all the chickens were fine but the blinkin thing was barking like a rabid bullfrog and it set the goats going mad. they were really stressed and running into the electric fencing several times     wondering if this reaction was because it was a predator or if fireworks will have similar effect? both goats are aboutr 18 months old 

[faith0504]

could you shut them in with a radio on? thats what i do with my horses, radio and plenty of food, radio will be on in house as well for the dogs,   

[jameslindsay]

My goats do not seem to bother but there again we don't get too many. I would worry about locking them up in case they panic and injure themselves. Hope they are ok Lisa

[plumseverywhere]

Thanks Faith and James - I think I'll stay close by to them and see how things go. If needs be, I'll bring them in the house (!) where it is quiet. Don't tell Tony 

[jameslindsay]

Thanks Faith and James - I think I'll stay close by to them and see how things go. If needs be, I'll bring them in the house (!) where it is quiet. Don't tell Tony 

Love it

[faith0504]

thats ace.  i have had the mini shetlands in the house before, ha ha ha they like to have a nosey round 

[jinglejoys]

Agree with the don't lock up thing much better they don't feel trapped...try a radio.My gang never take any notice of fireworks but then neither do I

[plumseverywhere]

haha! yep, last time Savannah the saanen came in she poo'd everywhere but at least goat poo's easy to pick up 
looks like a radio it is - Kerrang or radio 2 that is the question 

[Anke]

Mine are on Radio 2 all the time... Milking in the morning to Chris Evans was actually quite fun, but the programmes during the day are a bit tedious... I don't normally listen to music stations, except in the car. the goats prefer it to Radio Scotland though....

Not much in the way of fireworks here usually, we can see them but too far to hear...

[jinglejoys]

Got to be radio4!

[ballingall]

Our goats never reacted well to fireworks, which is actually one of the reason's why we moved here. We were surrounded at our previous house all in a 2 mile radius of a town and another village, and we used to get a full fortnight or three weeks of fireworks around bonfire night. We got fireworks at Christmas, New Year, and because we were opposite T in the Park, they used to let fireworks too at the end of the evenings performances! My old collie, I had to have her put to sleep on the 17th November about 7 years ago, and the last 2 weeks of her life were miserable because she hated fireworks, and they were being let off every single night. I would fully support a move to ban all fireworks except for organised displays. It wouldn't be so bad, but they introduced "extra loud" fireworks for 2000, and they are so much louder than they used to be.

Its not so bad here, we rarely see any, and hardly hear anything. There are some new neighbours along the road- hoping they don't let any off.


Beth

[plumseverywhere]

Hmm, not looking forward to the fireworks at all. although last night when I locked the chickens away, a few were popping away not too far away and reggie just kind of looked as if to say "what's that" but carried on munching on his bedtime willow that I have to give them everynight. sort of cocoa and a rich tea for goats I guess 

[Brucklay]

We're pretty lucky - Border collie Blue loves anything that 'bangs', hammer on wood, goats clashing horns, gun shot (red leg and pheasant shoot nearby) so he get's exited and dashes round in circles which then makes Border collie Tess wake up (17 and a bit tired these day) and bark too which means the goats have to get in on the action and see whats going on - so my goats have always seen these sorts of noises as an exited thing and not something to be feared - just lucky I guess as they do a fantastic display in the village about a mile away and we sit at our gable end on our bench with a glass of wine and watch the display with unobstructed views - but I do know if the goats were stressed about the noise I certainly wouldn't enjoy it. My friend with horses puts them in with a radio with good sucess

[plumseverywhere]

well firework extravaganza over and the goats didnt' bat an eyelid, phew!! was quite surprised because the fireworks were literally going off metres from them but they just let themselves into their shed and pulled the door to behind them!  new invention of hubby's, special plank on door which we had to teach them how to use this afternoon (ie/bribe them with food) but it means they can shut the door behind them and get snuggly yet still get out if they want to..

[faith0504]

im so glad they were ok,