Lil-patch-of-heaven
Ridin' The Range
I'm curious about something. The other day I was visiting my "city friends" lol and they wanted to talk a lot about my livestock. I think they are trying to make fun of me lol.
Anyway, someone asked me about herding goats. What I told them is that so far my goats do better being led, not herded. And that's true. If I want to move them I usually call them and they come. If they don't want to go I usually have to put a leash round their necks and bring them. Last night the buckling being weaned absolutely refused to follow me to the barn and was inspiring a mutiny is 2/3 of the other kids till my llama -- I'm liking her more all the time! -- walked him down with us. She seems to understand moving goats better than I do!
I have used my pup on a leash twice to move them, along with me, in at attemp to herd them. It's slow going because they face him and will only move 1 step at a time. It's good for him but Im worried it stresses the goats. Also dh has taken a stick and waved it similar to how I might drive a flock of geese but again I think maybe that scares them. With geese it's a simpler matter and I don't mind.
So what's the word on that? Does anyone "herd" goats? I'm thinking it doesn't suit their makeup?
Anyway, someone asked me about herding goats. What I told them is that so far my goats do better being led, not herded. And that's true. If I want to move them I usually call them and they come. If they don't want to go I usually have to put a leash round their necks and bring them. Last night the buckling being weaned absolutely refused to follow me to the barn and was inspiring a mutiny is 2/3 of the other kids till my llama -- I'm liking her more all the time! -- walked him down with us. She seems to understand moving goats better than I do!
I have used my pup on a leash twice to move them, along with me, in at attemp to herd them. It's slow going because they face him and will only move 1 step at a time. It's good for him but Im worried it stresses the goats. Also dh has taken a stick and waved it similar to how I might drive a flock of geese but again I think maybe that scares them. With geese it's a simpler matter and I don't mind.
So what's the word on that? Does anyone "herd" goats? I'm thinking it doesn't suit their makeup?