MrsKuhn - The Kuhn family adventure begins - KIDS ARE HOME

[MrsKuhn]

I am surprised that they aren't gobbling up that clover. But goats are browsers and not grazers, and that being said grass is not at the top of their food chain. But over time they will start to nibble on it and it will be much shorter than vacant fields around you. Plus, you need more goats.

Agreed we do need more goats I know that they are little and there is way to much land for them and I know that they are not grazers I guess since they haven't left the pin since we got them that I expected to be eaten down and not have to worry about mowing it.

 

[TAH]

Agreed we do need more goats I know that they are little and there is way to much land for them and I know that they are not grazers I guess since they haven't left the pin since we got them that I expected to be eaten down and not have to worry about mowing it.

I would take the hay away. If they haven't left the pen I would think they are stuffing them selves with hay. Maybe give them some twice a day. Sounds like kids, it is to much work to have to get our own food, when we have it right here.

 

[MrsKuhn]

I would take the hay away. If they haven't left the pen I would think they are stuffing them selves with hay. Maybe give them some twice a day. Sounds like kids, it is to much work to have to get our own food, when we have it right here.

I can give them less hay but I have been only been giving them half a flake once a day and it lasts them all day. However they can see the house from the pin and as soon as they see me they start yelling for me. lol Maybe I have spoiling them with the greens.. I can cut back on those too.

 

[babsbag]

If your grass is still green it is probably best that they not gorge themselves on it. Green grass and goats that aren't used to it equals bloat. If you take away the hay and put them strictly on pasture you may get some sick goats. Most people only give them limited time on the pasture and then add a little time every few days.

My herd of 40 have about 2-3 acres that they browse and graze in the spring. My grass (weeds) is about 3" long and the neighbors is about 18", they do make a difference, it just takes them some time. But my trees are all limbed and the poison oak is gone

 

[Latestarter]

And as for the berries, which question didn't really get addressed, find a place where you can build up a compost pile. Sweep or rake them up, scoop and deposit in the composting area.

 

[Southern by choice]

I am mowing my fields this week.
Goats are not great grass eaters... and they are PICKY!

They dig their faces into the tall stuff to get to the bermuda underneath. The rest of it is all long. I have 10 adults out there and I don't even know how many kids. Yeah.

Get a poop scoop (not those stupid claw ones) and scoop up their berries... make a compost with the berries and your spent hay and bedding.

 

[samssimonsays]

My goats REFUSE to eat what is in their pen... they have bald lines across their noses from pushing it through the fence to eat down the grass outside of the pen... You know what they say.... the grass is always greener on the other side! Mine are just used to me coming home and letting them out to eat the "good stuff" even though they have the SAME EXACT STUFF in their pen... It has to be a goat thing.... I ended up letting my rabbits run in the pen to eat down the grass it got so out of hand.

 

[Latestarter]

Samantha! Viola'! You've discovered the solution! There ya have it Mrs. Kuhn... your next farm animals! Get a bunch of large rabbits and let them run with the goats! And I hear pasture raised rabbit is pretty tasty You won't have to cook and eat the goats

 

[samssimonsays]

Samantha! Viola'! You've discovered the solution! There ya have it Mrs. Kuhn... your next farm animals! Get a bunch of large rabbits and let them run with the goats! And I hear pasture raised rabbit is pretty tasty You won't have to cook and eat the goats

Very true! I bet I could find ya some good breeders in your area too They are about 12-16#s of floppy ears and dog like antics But then you wouldn't want to eat them

1 or 2 rabbits of any size would absolutely diminish the grass issues hahaha My little 20x30 pen is stripped to dirt since leaving now 7 rabbits loose in it for 2 weeks...

 

[Latestarter]

And folks say goats and sheep will denude an area fast... HAA! What do THEY know? Maybe it's wild bunnys doing all that damage! From all that I hear, the goats & sheep prefer to eat & kill young trees! So with rabbits & ruminants together, you could clear farm land for use!