Genipher's Journal

[Baymule]

I can't help but be sad for your "friend" who downed you for getting goats. What better home schooling than the responsibility of caring for a couple of goats, and someday learning to milk, make butter and even cheese! Not to mention the calming effect on your son. So to your Debbie Downer, I say

Congrats on the two goats, they are lovely. Keep a close eye on your young dog, it is going to take time and training.

 

[Genipher]

I can't help but be sad for your "friend" who downed you for getting goats. What better home schooling than the responsibility of caring for a couple of goats, and someday learning to milk, make butter and even cheese! Not to mention the calming effect on your son. So to your Debbie Downer, I say

Congrats on the two goats, they are lovely. Keep a close eye on your young dog, it is going to take time and training.

It's funny, I have this one close friend who knows I now have the goats but she hasn't asked to see them or asked me how it's going with them. Oh, well.

 

[Genipher]

We have this one little section of our yard that we put lattice up, to keep our children from walking on the top tier (and potentially falling off) and to keep the dog on the dog's side and goats on their side. Well, the lattice has been destroyed in one spot, creating a "goat door" to the back patio.

But it wasn't the goats that tore it up...it was our mutt, Toby!

(Who, me?)

Thankfully the dogs and goats have gotten used to each other after watching and smelling through the fence for the last month-ish, so there aren't any issues with them hanging out until I get the lattice replaced with wire. We also need a REAL gate...one that the goats can't squeeze past.

Until then, it's amusing watching the goats go crazy for the foliage on the "forbidden side" of the fence.

The downside to letting them have access to this side? Poop aaaaall over the patio. Oh, and they like to try to sneak into the house when the back door is open. Which is often, as my children often forget to shut the door...

(Knock-knock!)

 

[B&B Happy goats]

My sister comes to my place and is terrified by them, lol...some people just don't "get it"

 

[Genipher]

My sister comes to my place and is terrified by them, lol...some people just don't "get it"

It's hard to imagine being scared of goats. They're so friendly! Though...I do have to warn friends to watch out for the horns the girls are growing. I still need to figure out what to do about those poky things. Getting jabbed by a horn would be scary...!

 

[CntryBoy777]

I wouldn't care "what" others might think....but, mostly their reactions stem from ignorance and rely on what they have "heard"....goats are great animals...imo....and if allowed to be goats and treated like goats they can be great pets.....we had 2 wethers and 1 doe....the doe was FB pygmy and the boys were pygmy/boer crosses....they became pets and we walked them around to browse....eventually putting up fence to contain them....they were great to spend time with and have their "help" with any work being done in their "area"......about the poop....if it is pills or "pinecone"....pills stuck together, but in clumps....not a real issue....anything else is worthy of watching or checking....as the available forage grows, different plants are eaten and can produce a "change" in the outflow....but should rectify itself once the ph is adjusted in the stomach......enjoy your goats...I've never had ND, so others would need to assist ya with the specifics....but, the behavior is similar.....I think....

 

[Genipher]

I wouldn't care "what" others might think....but, mostly their reactions stem from ignorance and rely on what they have "heard"....goats are great animals...imo....and if allowed to be goats and treated like goats they can be great pets.....we had 2 wethers and 1 doe....the doe was FB pygmy and the boys were pygmy/boer crosses....they became pets and we walked them around to browse....eventually putting up fence to contain them....they were great to spend time with and have their "help" with any work being done in their "area"......about the poop....if it is pills or "pinecone"....pills stuck together, but in clumps....not a real issue....anything else is worthy of watching or checking....as the available forage grows, different plants are eaten and can produce a "change" in the outflow....but should rectify itself once the ph is adjusted in the stomach......enjoy your goats...I've never had ND, so others would need to assist ya with the specifics....but, the behavior is similar.....I think....

I've noticed Alice (above) tends to be more sensitive to food changes than her sister. Worried me, at first. But I'm starting to "get" her.

My friend, apparently, had "bad" experiences with mutual friends who had goats. Apparently these other goats were loud all night long and kept my friend awake while she was visiting. I thought the story strange since everything I've read/heard said goats are only noisy at night if there's a problem or a doe is in labor. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Even so, seems a strange reason to dislike goats...one night of noise? Blah. But then, this friend doesn't really care for having animals or gardening or any of that stuff, so perhaps the idea that someone would desire that lifestyle is strange to her.

 

[CntryBoy777]

Just so ya won't feel too "strange" and to know that there are others "just like ya" out here....
.....this is the "gang".....they were a real "hoot" to be around and learn from....something that could help ya with the hooves...are concrete squares or rocks....the goats will walk on them and save the grass or turf...wear n tear....it will help in wet conditions to keep the hoof out of the mud and wear down naturally on the concrete or rock.....they like warming on them in winter, if they are in the sun.....here is one when we brought them home....
.....sorry about posting the pics, but wanted ya to know that many of us "get it".....

 

[SA Farm]

Goats are mostly loud if they’re in heat, hungry, lonely, bored, their routine is interrupted or if there is a problem. Some will cry if anything new is happening, rather similar to a dog barking at strange sounds or intruders.
That said, there are some individuals that can be loud for absolutely no apparent reason, so it’s possible that your friend came across one of those rather obnoxious individuals. I can understand lack of sleep souring someone to an animal they were probably neutral about beforehand.
I value my sleep too

 

[Mini Horses]

Even so, seems a strange reason to dislike goats...one night of noise? Blah. But then, this friend doesn't really care for having animals or gardening or any of that stuff, so perhaps the idea that someone would desire that lifestyle is strange to her.

Some people do not want to have dogs or cats, also. But - here we pretty much enjoy any animal. Well, snakes, skunks, possum, coon are subject to an "uninvited" status but --- only if a nuisance or predatory to our animals.

You can always post here. We've heard & seen most anything. But we understand !!!!!! That's the difference and why we bond together -- you're not nuts. Enjoy those goats.