[Daisys Mum]

Just discovered that the goats have started chewing at the stable door, I have some creosote, would it be ok to paint it with that?

[Brucklay]

I may be put right but I didn't think creosote was animal friendly - maybe your thinking it will stop them chewing but it may be a loosing battle - they do love chewing!!

[Anke]

As they cannot be outside at the moment I think they are bored -I know mine are... and have just managed to break one of the dividers betwen their pens...
You can try them some fresh branches, they will chew the bark off them for a bit, but they have 24 hours a day to decide what to chew next...
 
I wouldn't use creosote where they can chew though...

[jaykay]

No, I wouldn't use creosote, it won't stop them eating it but it will make them poorly.

As Anke says, it's a combination of boredom and lack of things to chew. Cutting branches is a good plan - i'm reminded to do it when I catch mine eating the gates, the chicken houses........

[mojocafa]

Hubby is chopping at the hawthorn hedge as we speak

[Daisys Mum]

Hubby is chopping at the hawthorn hedge as we speak

Better go attack mine then, didn't think creosote would be an option.

[goosepimple]

They'll soon have their hooves full Anne - are they getting plump?

[plumseverywhere]

I've smeared goat poo on the bits they were chewing and its put them off and as yet they've not found somewhere else to chew    I had little choice as they'd made a hole in the side of their shed and OH is getting antsy about livestock causing him work    Lots of braches, access to mineral lick, dried nettle or willow....

(just realised how very ladylike I must appear smearing poo on shed doors    )

[jaykay]

  Good idea though 

(and I'm sorry about OH getting antsy, I had one like that and it's stressful  )

[plumseverywhere]

To be fair, he's getting much better! But I hate asking him to help - we had a mini domestic when the vet came to put our lamb to sleep with me saying "I can cope!" and him accusing me of potentially going to pieces and insisting that he did the deed 

I'm just wondering if there is something available to buy that might satisfy goat urges to chew like you can buy for pet rodents? The poos smeared has definitely worked here but realistically, I can't smear it everywhere so I think its  shortlived remedy. 

[ScotsGirl]

That's very amusing. I must try on pony shelter see if it works there. My now 'ex' (didn't like playing second fiddle to livestock) said the first thing he remembers about me if being covered in poo! I was foot trimming and shearing at the time so not surprising.


Not sure I should dare say it but none of mine chew. Are they just highly trained or is it the breed?

[Lesley Silvester]

What breed are your, SG?  My Sanaans chew the shed walls and door and the fence.  My old girl who died in February liked to chew the metal roof of the shed just outside their run.

[ScotsGirl]

I have 3 grade 3(?) boers, 1 white one, 1 AN x and 1 tog type milder. Only thing they chew is my jacket if they smell nuts have been in there. Oh and my fingers! Didn't realise how they could nip! My little AN is so gentle and my sheep but the other goats will take my hand off for food.

[Daisys Mum]

Oh dear I dont think that it is the goats, I think we have rats in the stables, this is the first time they have been on the yard since we got an outdoor cat. It must be this awful weather bringing them in.
 

[goosepimple]

Oh yes maybe Anne, my pygmies don't seem to eat their shed but there are rats about at the moment.  Don't use the compacted/extruded rat poison, they move it around and livestock could get it, we just use the grain type in boxes - good idea to put a pallet down if you can and the bait box inside it so the goaties can't get at it but the rats like the pallet for cover.