Chickens + Goats?

[Kitsara]

My chickens enjoy being with the goats, and vice verse it seems. Course, I tend to have to clean out the chicken poop from their coats since the chickens like to perch on the goats. I think the goats like the extra back scritches Also they spend time with the ducks as well and Taffy has a grand time with them. Course, all the goats will ted to follow me as I herd up the birds into the coop, but Taffy likes to move them around on her own.

 

[Mamaboid]

Right now, I have a hut that at night contains a Fainter Mama, 2 doelings, and in the corner a fuzzy headed silkie hen sitting on a nest of eggs. When I open the door in the morning, the doe comes out first, then the kids and the chicken follows right behind. They all run to the same feed dish, and the chicken grabs a few bites and runs back in to her nest. It is the funniest thing. My goats are penned so they cannot get to the chicken coop, but the chickens, ducks, turkeys, and guineas all run with the goats all the time.

 

[littlegoat]

I have 23 chickens and 4 goats! Oh and the red chicken was prob a Rhode Island Red!

 

[stitchcounting]

I have 23 chickens and 4 goats! Oh and the red chicken was prob a Rhode Island Red!

I think it was an egg layer hybrid because her color was off. But wow 23 chickens!

 

[madcow]

My chickens enjoy being with the goats, and vice verse it seems. Course, I tend to have to clean out the chicken poop from their coats since the chickens like to perch on the goats. I think the goats like the extra back scritches Also they spend time with the ducks as well and Taffy has a grand time with them. Course, all the goats will ted to follow me as I herd up the birds into the coop, but Taffy likes to move them around on her own.

http://ashabon.com/Photos/farm/herding.jpg

Funny, a goat herding chickens! Who would have thunk it? LOL!

 

[RubThyNeighbor]

Hi! I'm new to this board. I am excited to read about putting chickens in with goats. We currently have 4 nigerian Dwarf in abou a 1/4 acre small pasture with an option to open to a larger 1/2 acre. We have been trying to figure out how to house all of the animals that we want and keep them healthy! This board is amazing.

Thanks!

 

[Fluffygal]

My chickens free range during the day with the goats.
As even Fiona, my Nubian, is able to fit through the pop door we just started tying up the feeder out of reach of the goats during the main part of the day.
1 hour before sundown the goats are herded up to their pen with a grain bucket. (Once they see the grain bucket it is more like a mobbing then them being herded)
I also toss chicken feed out to the chickens so they do not try to run into the goat pen. Lock the goats up, then the feeder for the chickens comes down and the chickens and peafowl are fed. The chickens get the last hour of sunlight as their flock time.

Everyone is used to this ruotine. So when I come home the goats and chickens are waiting by the gate for the grain lady to bring dinner. If I am late sometimes dad will already have everyone fed. I try not to run late as I enjoy interacting with everyone when I get home as it helps me destress.

 

[that's*satyrical]

We have a giant buff orp rooster that thinks he's a goat. He literally lives in the goat pen. He tries to eat out of the goats feeder at feeding time. It's hilarious.

 

[RubThyNeighbor]

My chickens free range during the day with the goats.
As even Fiona, my Nubian, is able to fit through the pop door we just started tying up the feeder out of reach of the goats during the main part of the day.
1 hour before sundown the goats are herded up to their pen with a grain bucket. (Once they see the grain bucket it is more like a mobbing then them being herded)
I also toss chicken feed out to the chickens so they do not try to run into the goat pen. Lock the goats up, then the feeder for the chickens comes down and the chickens and peafowl are fed. The chickens get the last hour of sunlight as their flock time.

Everyone is used to this ruotine. So when I come home the goats and chickens are waiting by the gate for the grain lady to bring dinner. If I am late sometimes dad will already have everyone fed. I try not to run late as I enjoy interacting with everyone when I get home as it helps me destress.

Thats great! Sounds like this would work well for us in how we could set it all up. How is your pea fowl with the chickens? HOw many of each?

 

[kstaven]

Our vet told us it's good animal management putting different types of animals together, because most animals don't share the same types of parasites, but the majority of parasites are specific to the types of animals. He said putting chickens and goats together benefits both. I found that the chickens break down the nanny berries racking through them every day and your manure will be less of a problem because of it. A win-win situation all around and chickens will be pretty good company for goats too. They don't seem to mind each other's company at all, except that our chickens are a little skittish when the goat gets too close, but that's not a big deal.

After a little study on the part of the owner the net benefits of diversity in animals kept or specific pairings on a farm cannot be understated.