SO TEMPTING! Bottle Kid Offer - Update

[20kidsonhill]

Not like a boer or even a Nubian (Nubian wethers can be quite meaty if exercised properly).

We have showed 75% boer /nubian whethers and have done quit well with them, but they must be exercised. We even have had judges come right out and say, this whether from a distance looks thinner than some of the full-blood boer whethers in the line-up but when I put my hands on him he has a very full-loin and look at the length on him.

 

[freemotion]

Ummmm.......as a former horse professional....and a current goat owner.....how does one exercise goats? Really, inquiring minds want to know.

 

[Our7Wonders]

Well, I know it's not the same as 20kids - but I exercise my goats - kinda.

Because they are in a smallish pen and they are getting quite wide I worry about them not moving around enough. I read somewhere that exercise can help prevent ketosis as well - so being the worrier I am I started making them run for their food. I feed them twice a day, just like when we were milking, but instead of on the stand, I hold their feeders. So when I walk in to their shed I say "Ok ladies, you know the drill!" and they take off running to the other end of their pen. Now, FWIW I run along with them - but they're faster than me and make it to the other end before I do. They wait for me becasue I have their feeders. Then we run back. We repeat 2 or 3 times. It's not a huge amount of exercise, but I feel better knowing they've moved a bit. And it get's me working too, which I know I certainly need. When we're done they eat and I work on catching my breath. It's a nice little arrangement we have. My husband laughs at me - it's goatie wind spints. But jogging style.

I'm sure the goats think I'm crazy. But they comply because they love me (well, MAYBE it's because they love their food!

The neighbors think I'm crazy too.

But they thought that before we got the goats.

Running with the goats just confirmed it for them.

 

[themrslove]

OH MY GOODNESS! That is just too funny!!!! I'm going to put my goats on an exercise regiment now! Bahahahaa!

We have one doe that is getting FAT! Now she must sprint for her grain.

...and we have one goat herder who is getting fat. But that is an entirely different issue altogether!
<------- I think this is the problem.

 

[AlaskanShepherdess]

How to exercise goats.

1. Build this . I can't wait to make my own playland for my goats!

 

[Roll farms]

Market wethers are judged on muscling (meat)...

Some folks put 'em on a treadmill. Yes, I'm serious.

I put lots of climbing toys in their pens so they get a work out.
I mount their feeders high so they have to stand on their hind legs to 'build their butts'.

I take them for walks and play "I'm faster than you" with them (I take off running, they start running).

I'm not, but they can't resist the challenge.

An inactive goat will put on fat, especially on concentrates / show feed. You have to work them to keep them from getting 'flabby'.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I used to walk my market lambs when I was in 4-H. People put market lambs and goats on these and pull it w/ a 4-wheeler, and some run them with dogs (ugh).