New goat

[possum]

She is a purebread saanen
Currently in milk, so had fun teaching myself how to milk her the first time. Lovely personality though. However she did jump the fence yesterday and we spent 8 hours looking for her, finally founf her 6km away.

[Annpan]

She looks happy


Even if she is plotting her next escape.

[Shirley]

Ahhh yes... we've got three saanens - one of which is always trying to escape.... actually we've got SIX at the minute because some of the neighbour's goats escaped and they seem to like to be with ours. Trouble is, the three visitors are always in and out through the fence and it's only a matter of time before our's cotton on to the fact that they could probably clear it too.

[frozenthunderbolt]

In my (admitadly indirect) experience one needs a fence at least twice the height of the goat to keep it in if it wants out. if it is a post and board fence then about 2.5 goats can climb
lol she looks lovely though

[possum]

well fingers crossed she hasn't jumped the fence again, i think she found out that the grass literally wasn't greener on the other side and also there is no water there either, she was very hungry when we found her.

[mauzi]

Hi possum, I am new hear but looking forward to getting to know people more. We breed British Alpine milking goats (just for our own use with the occasional sale in the district as well as the excess milk going to the pigs). Love your goat, sounds like she has a great home. We have one doe who was a bit of an escape artist but like yours I think she learned early on that she had it pretty good here and changed her ways Happy to be of any help at any time.

[kimmie]

wow think i will be watching this thread very carefully...have my first goat(Rita) saturday and getting the second one this week!! talk about a glutton for fun!! heheh
Rita is also saanen...but not had a kid yet
Daisy (when she arrives this week), is Angora
My poor man was thrown in the deep end with this and has really surprised me!! he said they looked evil when i first mentioned getting one...he didnt want one...now how ever...he has been in the pen with rita...even caught him giving her a hug!! ....hmmmm maybe i need to make the fence higher to keep him out

[mauzi]

Can relate to that kimmie. My DH was a bit the same but now loves them almost as much as me. They really are such adorable animals and getting to know them individually is always such a pleasure.

[Willow]

My fences are only about a metre high and in places the goats can see over them. The top wire is barbed wire and they never attempt to jump them. However anywhere they can the buggers will crawl under the fences and I have to tie the bottom wire to a log etc.
I am impressed with the gates and fences in your photo Possum. Puts my collection of tree stumps and rusty wire to shame.

[mauzi]

Hi willow, good to see you here.

[kimmie]

well now have both goats....and everything seems ok...only problem i am having is some bulling from Rita, as daisy is half the size!!
here they are in the new paddock(we have only been in the house since august, it was a beautiful garden...but not practical)


here they are in the barn...

Rita:


Daisy:

[mauzi]

Kimmie, they are lovely goats. Looks like you will have loads of fleece from the Angora (which has a face too too cute). We kept Angora's many years ago - found they were amazing at climbing - found them on the roof of a double story shed once, they had climbed up the water tank and then jumped onto the roof The milking goats that we now have are much more sedate.

I wouldn't worry too much about the bullying unless it is affecting their ability to feed or it gets out of hand. Goats can be pretty rough with each other but most of this will usually settle down when they have established their pecking order. Regarding size - one of our smallest goat is the head goat here - she puts the others in their place pretty quickly.

Cheers
Mauzi

[kimmie]

thanks mauzi.....it seems that everytime daisy is near me or matt that rita decides to attack her.
We are making sure that daisy gets some of the food too although again rita doesnt like it when that happens too!
Thinking of building daisy her own pen next to rita's that way they will be together but seperate

[ina]

it seems that everytime daisy is near me or matt that rita decides to attack her.

Show off! I have to handfeed Fluff sometimes to make sure she gets her fair share of titbits.

[mauzi]

Hi kimmie, sounds like separate pens might be the go. They really love attention don't they. Gets a bit hectic at our place with 8 milking does, 2 bucks and at the moment 6 kids all wanting their share of pats as well Love goats though and I find them so intelligent and fun to be with.

Ina, what type of goats do you have?