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Post by lavandulagirl on Jun 10, 2009 21:01:32 GMT -5
So, you goat owning types... tell me about goat tie outs. Here's the back story: I am thinking about eventually getting a pygmy goat or two, for weed control more than anything else (especially the poison oak). Due to the rocky terrain, and the slope, the chances of easily putting up temp fencing in different areas are really slim. Also, I don't want the goats to have free range of the property, as they will eat stuff I want to keep, as well. It's only an acre, but there is A LOT of stuff to keep a couple small goats happy for years.
Anyway, I was thinking that I could build a small goat shed of some sort, where they would be kept at night, and fed when they aren't turned out, but then use tie outs to move them from place to place on the property. Could I do this with tie outs intended for dogs? Like those ones that screw into the ground, and have a lead attached to them? Would they be amenable to this kind of arrangement, do you think?
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Post by grungy on Jun 10, 2009 22:39:04 GMT -5
Our milk goat years ago lived quite happily that way. I would get a couple of the goats so that they have company, but make sure you tie them just far enough apart that they can't tangle in each others ropes or chains. Personally I would go for medium weight chain as a goat can chew through ropes if they get bored or lonely.
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Post by flowerpower on Jun 11, 2009 6:30:01 GMT -5
Lav, I understand about the fencing, but I would not tether a goat. I would be too afraid the chain would wrap around its neck or leg. Maybe I am overly cautious.
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Post by lavandulagirl on Jun 11, 2009 8:27:11 GMT -5
Would a dog harness work on a goat, to keep them from getting strangled by a leash? There is just no way to temp fence areas of this property well. I guess I'm more worried that they'd escape and get out to the main road. For a pygmy goat, especially, I think that'd be disastrous. My property is currently fenced, but not a goat proof fence. Hell, it isn't even a soccer ball proof fence. Learned that last week. I'm sure the neighbors would rather a soccer ball showed up in their yard than a goat! Soccer balls don't eat your grapes. 
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Post by macmex on Jun 12, 2009 6:16:28 GMT -5
I've heard of those who tie out their goats and the only problem I've heard of was what Grungy mentioned. It's very important they not be able to reach one another. Yet, goats are most creative and they can get hurt. So you would want to think hard about possible mishaps. One of our young wethers broke a leg this spring. We still don't know how he did it. It's fixed now  I know one person who sets up a four cattle panel pen, using clips. Every day or two he moves that pen to a new place. Seems to work for him. We have used a dog harness on a goat. Can't recall why, since our place is well fenced. It worked quite well. George |
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