This is the Nursery. This shot is from a couple months ago. The size of the goats is the first tipoff. The Nursery is not just for the boys but they are the residents who will stay the longest. The house can be, and has been used for Chickens, Ducks, and Guinea Fowl. Ducks and guineas are here in the foreground.
There was actually some thought put into the design of the enclosure. There was no gate as birds will go through gaps in a gate pretty easily. You could gain access to the enclosure by going through the shed. The goats learned pretty quickly to go into the shed when you were calling them. You just had to attach leashes and let them outside to browse.
There was actually some thought put into the design of the enclosure. There was no gate as birds will go through gaps in a gate pretty easily. You could gain access to the enclosure by going through the shed. The goats learned pretty quickly to go into the shed when you were calling them. You just had to attach leashes and let them outside to browse.
All it takes is time. When the weather cools it will get easier. I don't know if goats sweat but I do.
I don't know how much you know about goats but I'm learning things every day. What these guys are eating here is our collection of fallen leaves from last winter. Who knew?
Another thing you might notice is the size. These guys have doubled since we got them. Take a look at the pictures in the first two stories.
I don't know how much you know about goats but I'm learning things every day. What these guys are eating here is our collection of fallen leaves from last winter. Who knew?
Another thing you might notice is the size. These guys have doubled since we got them. Take a look at the pictures in the first two stories.
Our neighbor here is actually standing outside the enclosure. Do you see that door just past him and Bob? The bottom is about a foot off the ground. Did you ever try to get a goat through a door like that when he doesn't want to go? It got harder as they grew. It also was tough emptying and changing the water and not so surprisingly the enclosure seemed to keep getting smaller..
I've alternated the pictures little-big-little-big here and it's hard even for me to see how they have grown. At least, in this one you can see why. They each have four hollow legs.
Kelly used to just lift them over the fence. He doesn't do that any more.
Kelly used to just lift them over the fence. He doesn't do that any more.
Based on the assumption that it is easier to lead an animal through a gate than stuff him through a door, I decided to install this.
I had it installed beside a large gate which made it about as useful as a fifth wheel on the typical car. Then the 4X4 post rotted off in the ground. They just don't make treated lumber the way they used to. That shortcoming helped it to become re-designated as the new gate for the nursery.
I had it installed beside a large gate which made it about as useful as a fifth wheel on the typical car. Then the 4X4 post rotted off in the ground. They just don't make treated lumber the way they used to. That shortcoming helped it to become re-designated as the new gate for the nursery.
Once you have determined the width of the gate you need two holes. These holes are 18 inches deep and not at all solid today.
I will straighten the posts and tamp them daily till I'm happy with it. They are obviously crooked but that will change. Also, there will be a timber across the top to help hold things in place.
Note that there are gaps on both sides of the gate big enough for a small duck to get through. Took care of that below. If I can learn not to stab myself it will be ok.
Note that there are gaps on both sides of the gate big enough for a small duck to get through. Took care of that below. If I can learn not to stab myself it will be ok.
Don't really need the overlap above the gate latch. Will trim that. Birds small enough to take advantage of the gap are probably walking through. When they get bigger they fly.
I had a lot more help than I wanted. Here I am about to remove the hog panel from the building and Beau is trying to figure it all out.
Here there is a fence to the left of them and one to the right. Any guess how long it took them to find a hole?
It was less time than that. I put them on leashes then and finished the job before it rained.
I think the extra room will be good for them.
It was less time than that. I put them on leashes then and finished the job before it rained.
I think the extra room will be good for them.
The left side of the gate is now completely blocked with nothing sharp sticking out. The right side needs more work. Just tonight the boys got out twice while Bob was indoors. That told me that the fence needs more work. Bob is now outside and the fence is first on my list for tomorrow.
Their size is starting to make me alter how I feed them. They destroy a bale of hay in a short time. Note how organized the bale in the top picture appears? Now it looks like it was hit by a bomb.
This washtub takes a leaf from a bale when I add hay. Drop their pellet feed into the center and they eat hay and feed. See below. As they grow bigger I am incorporating some donkey techniques.
This washtub takes a leaf from a bale when I add hay. Drop their pellet feed into the center and they eat hay and feed. See below. As they grow bigger I am incorporating some donkey techniques.
The feed can be seen in the center here. It is named Grow Goat and according to Noah down at the feed store they can also eat it as adults. The first bag lasted about a month. Now they last about a week. Tomorrow I rig my yard and I will start letting them roam some.
Yes they are a royal pain at times but they are also more fun than I've had in a long time.
Yes they are a royal pain at times but they are also more fun than I've had in a long time.
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