feeding goats and cows together

[LeeLeeV]

I currently have 3 pygmys and 2 ND/pygmy mix in a pasture with my cow, Rudy was a bottle calf and I believe from living with the goats he thinks he is in fact a goat! Does anyone have goats and cows in the same pasture? What do you feed? How do you feed? I have the constant battle of needing to feed Rudy more but not wanting the goats to overeat. Any and all suggestions are welcome. I, unfortunately, at this time do not have the setup to separate them into different pastures.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Feed the calf higher up off the ground, feed the goats in a pan/dish down low.

We have a Lamancha buckling with our Nigerian bucklings. The ND's get a feeder on the ground, the Lamancha has a bucket clipped high on the fence. It can be a hassle, but it worked for me (sold the Lamancha today).

 

[LeeLeeV]

Feed the calf higher up off the ground, feed the goats in a pan/dish down low.

We have a Lamancha buckling with our Nigerian bucklings. The ND's get a feeder on the ground, the Lamancha has a bucket clipped high on the fence. It can be a hassle, but it worked for me (sold the Lamancha today).

you didn't ever have any issues with your smaller goats trying to eat or knocking over the feeders that were up higher..mine just seem so greedy! lol

 

[Carla D]

I know you said you don’t have the setup for different areas for each. Is it possible also feed them with a little distance between them as well as the cow feed being higher? I have a feeling the goats eat a lot faster than your cow. Is there any way to put up small partition or wall so your cow has enough room to fit in yet being at least a bit more difficult for the goats to help your cow finish its meal? I was only thinking a wall or segment about 3-4’ tall and 4-5’ long. Similar to the old style phone booth. Just enough room for one, a little peaceful. The buckets at different heights is a clever idea as well.

 

[Goat Whisperer]

you didn't ever have any issues with your smaller goats trying to eat or knocking over the feeders that were up higher..mine just seem so greedy! lol

Most of the time, they would stay at their own feeders. But they are bucks.

My does on the other hand would be running back and forth.

 

[Carla D]

Most of the time, they would stay at their own feeders. But they are bucks.

My does on the other hand would be running back and forth.

Interesting. Girl goats have less self control and harder to please than us girlie humans? Who’d a thunk that?