Serina81
Just born
I have three nigerian goats out in a small pasture. They have so far refused to eat any grass. They were raised on dry hay with their last owner. How can I encourage them to eat pasture?
Goats refuse to eat beautiful pasture
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freemotion
Self Sufficient Queen
Feed them nothing else....I've yet to see a goat starve! 
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Serina81
Just born
Ooookay! I've been trying to cut down on the amount of hay they get so that they will be hungry without starving, but I guess I need to go cold turkey with them lol
freemotion
Self Sufficient Queen
The only caution is to not let them gorge on green, growing stuff when they are used to only hay. But if they've had access to it for a while, they are probably nibbling. Maybe you could give them hay overnight, then take it all away in the morning, or something like that.
My gals are getting only one flake per day for four of them, sometimes they don't even finish that. They used to whine about breakfast in bed, I just told them to get their lazy butts out their and pick their own! Sheesh! Now they prefer it and leave the hay. I do give them some hay if there is a cold rain or heavy downpours all day.
My gals are getting only one flake per day for four of them, sometimes they don't even finish that. They used to whine about breakfast in bed, I just told them to get their lazy butts out their and pick their own! Sheesh! Now they prefer it and leave the hay. I do give them some hay if there is a cold rain or heavy downpours all day.
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Serina81
Just born
Do you have Nigerian Dwarves?
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Serina81
Just born
I was just curious because my three goats go through 2 flakes a week even off pasture. And we don't get heavy downpours mostly where I am lol! The middle of the dry hot desert.
How old are they? Do they see you as a herd member? You could try pretending you are eating it! When I had some kids get sick and have to have hay for the first time I had to put an older goat in w/ them to show them it was ok to eat it.
freemotion
Self Sufficient Queen
havaris, one of my does does this with me! Yesterday my parents tried to feed her grapes, and she spit them out. When I arrived, they told me. So I showed her a grape, ate it, then gave her one. She ate it without hesitation!
Serina81, I have a couple of pygmy-x's and a couple of dairy-x does, all good eaters! And as of yesterday, on tiny baby doeling from one of the dairy girls.
Mine did go out to eat more willingly when I had my horse. They stayed in more after she died, but then I got a very alpha doe and they became brave again. I wonder if they are nervous to be out there by themselves? Maybe you can take a paperback and a nice drink out there each day until they get used to it, or some tools and get some chores done out there for a few minutes a couple of times a day.
Serina81, I have a couple of pygmy-x's and a couple of dairy-x does, all good eaters! And as of yesterday, on tiny baby doeling from one of the dairy girls.
Mine did go out to eat more willingly when I had my horse. They stayed in more after she died, but then I got a very alpha doe and they became brave again. I wonder if they are nervous to be out there by themselves? Maybe you can take a paperback and a nice drink out there each day until they get used to it, or some tools and get some chores done out there for a few minutes a couple of times a day.
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- #9
Serina81
Just born
lol! That would be hilarious. I can just see it. Me down on all fours trying to pretend to eat grass! 
That's a good idea with the horse though. I have four horses so maybe I can put them in the pasture with the goats.
That's a good idea with the horse though. I have four horses so maybe I can put them in the pasture with the goats.
warthog
Overrun with beasties
How long is the grass? Can they see each other?
Mine don't have grass as such, it's brush at first they wouldn't leave the fence area. Then I realised this was probably too thick and dense, so I cut pathways through the brush and now they are OK.
Like Free suggested going out with them for a few days with a book and a nice cold drink (for you that is, not them)
may be a good idea. I did this with mine and it worked. Also take your camera, you can really get some good pictures.
Mine don't have grass as such, it's brush at first they wouldn't leave the fence area. Then I realised this was probably too thick and dense, so I cut pathways through the brush and now they are OK.
Like Free suggested going out with them for a few days with a book and a nice cold drink (for you that is, not them)
may be a good idea. I did this with mine and it worked. Also take your camera, you can really get some good pictures.
