Author Topic: Help ... me goat is eating the shed!!!! (Read 5019 times)

Anke · « **on:** December 04, 2011, 09:21:40 pm »

As it says, one of my (recently bought) BT milkers has started to chew bits and pieces of our (wooden) shed. She seems to be addicted to it, while on the milking stand she chews the wall, in her pen anywhere she can get her head too.. I can hear her doing it when I am in the garden...

I don't think she lived in a wooden shed before, but not sure about this. She's from a bigger herd than mine.

What can I do? I worry for her teeth, and also the wood is obviously pressure treated with god knows what...!

My OH suggested to put mustard onto the bits she chews... but she may really like that?

princesspiggy · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2011, 09:26:42 pm »

for ponies that eat their stable/fencing u can get bitter sticky stuff to wipe on. it does work and is quite weather resistant. there are diff names but Cribox by Hydrophane is good.

Brucklay · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2011, 09:27:43 pm »

Anke - we've had the same problem for 3 years - our goat shed 'outer' was external thick ply but they loved eating/nibbling/tugging it and our only solution is to re-clad the shed in 'straight from the sawmill larch' there's a lot of sap in it and they don't seem to nibble at all - we did a section about 6m to test it out in spring and still perfect in autumn so we are not continuing around the building - best of luck - must admit it faired better than the motor bike seat!!

Lesley Silvester · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2011, 10:27:30 pm »

I've got a goat who chews at the metal barn next to their yard. Do you think she's anaemic and wants some iron?

wytsend · « **Reply #4 on:** December 05, 2011, 07:08:53 am »

The natural behaviour of a goat is to nibble/strip bark from trees etc for the minerals contained therein as well as the fibre.

Maybe your goats are exhibiting a deficiency in their diets... mineral/vitamin wise... and they are trying to find it.

jaykay · « **Reply #5 on:** December 05, 2011, 09:27:37 am »

Mine eat the shed, the chicken houses, the gates, any hurdles they can find......
I try to cut them branches to give them something else to do

Anke · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2011, 04:15:38 pm »

Quote from: jaykay on December 05, 2011, 09:27:37 am

Mine eat the shed, the chicken houses, the gates, any hurdles they can find......
I try to cut them branches to give them something else to do

They get loads of branches in the summer, maybe I get some "bare" ones now, just never had the problem, none of my others are doing it and this one is a new(ish) arrival. Maybe she is a bit bored....

Quote from: wytsend on December 05, 2011, 07:08:53 am

The natural behaviour of a goat is to nibble/strip bark from trees etc for the minerals contained therein as well as the fibre.

Maybe your goats are exhibiting a deficiency in their diets... mineral/vitamin wise... and they are trying to find it.

I don't think they are missing anything vital, they get caprivite, garlic, seaweed, carrots, apples, sugarbeet shreds, oats, dairy nuts, etc etc

NormandyMary · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2011, 09:48:07 pm »

Heaven only knows what my boys are missing from their diet then, OH was mending the door to their house, the other day and was bending over, and the boys kept nibbling his backside. I just love it when they try to nibble my fingers, they never hurt me, its so cute!

ambriel · « **Reply #8 on:** December 06, 2011, 12:38:54 am »

Ours used to nibble the bark from the timber cladding on our big shed, too. That was after they'd played their own version of 'strip the willows' of course.

Mary, I was very surprised at just how soft their mouths are. They'd often try and nibble my pocket or hand but never a proper bite.

NormandyMary · « **Reply #9 on:** December 06, 2011, 09:05:58 am »

Quote from: ambriel on December 06, 2011, 12:38:54 am

Ours used to nibble the bark from the timber cladding on our big shed, too. That was after they'd played their own version of 'strip the willows' of course.

Mary, I was very surprised at just how soft their mouths are. They'd often try and nibble my pocket or hand but never a proper bite.

It really is quite a pleasant experience isnt it? I almost think its a sign of affection, apart from the kisses they give me of course. Quite the little charmers my boys!!