texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed, Trappernewt, casyoo
71987 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,413
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,764
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics536,986
Posts9,719,147
Members86,987
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Goats?...or what? #7439354 02/20/19 02:06 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Creekrunner Offline OP
THF Celebrity
OP Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Yes, I said goats. I'm looking at a particular piece of property, mainly to hunt on. Lots of out buildings and fences. I don't want to drive up and have to jump on a lawnmower immediately every time and my back will no longer take a weedeater for any real amount of time.

I'm no rancher, but I know you gotta have water, some shelter, and occasional supplemental food. If I wanted some type of 4-legged mower/weedeater, what would you real stockmen suggest? Breed? And how many? Is there something I wouldn't ever have to sheer? (I have had to help with that. 'Would prefer to never have to again.) The area is about 4 to 6 acres. Plenty of pens and sheds so we could separate them from my blue lacy that will go ape you-know-what when she sees them. I don't want a billy that'll charge us when we drive up, as much as I'd like to name a pair "Bill and Hillary." ('Course, if I named him after Bill, he'd probably try to do something else to my wife.)

All help and suggestions appreciated. And remember, "Goat ropers need love too."


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7439362 02/20/19 02:17 PM
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,404
D
DQ Kid Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
D
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 10,404
Goats may work, I'd get a trained shepperd dog too to live with them and protect them from roaming yotes...

Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7439371 02/20/19 02:24 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Creekrunner Offline OP
THF Celebrity
OP Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Yeah, coyotes could be a problem, but I really don't want to add to the complocation with a dog.

I know, I want my cake and eat it too.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7439379 02/20/19 02:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 570
P
Papalote Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
P
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 570
Sheep may be best. Goats get into and on top of everything. Goats with horns get caught in fences and die there. Hair sheep (Barbados) need little care. Set up a FAIL PROOF water supply and maybe a feeder for GP. Ram and a few ewes should keep things clean. Let them propagate so you can enjoy BBQ or sell a couple each year to offset the costs.

Plus, Ag exemption IS important!! May want to investigate minimum requirements.

Papalote

Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7439416 02/20/19 03:02 PM
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,612
Q
QuitShootinYoungBucks Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Q
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 15,612
What kind of fence? I'd look at Boer wethers. They'll be tough enough to deter coyotes on their own, you won't have to worry about kidding/lambing, and Boers usually aren't bad about fence-busting.


[Linked Image]

https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7439422 02/20/19 03:05 PM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,136
E
EddieWalker Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
E
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,136
The old saying about goats and fencing is that if water can get through a fence, goats can get through it. I currently have 9 female dwarf Nigerian goats that do a great job of weed eating and clearing out the underbrush under the trees. They never stop eating, and they eat almost everything except goat weed. Blackberrie bushes seem to be a favorite and they cleared out all of them around my small pond that I would have had to do by hand to get rid of them. They are on ten acres and I'll be fencing another five acres this year to give them more food. I also supplement them with 13% and a roll of hay. I also have five horses in there with them, who keep the pasture grass nice and short. Goats and horses compliment each other.

The biggest surprise was how horny the male was when we had him. He mounted the females over and over again, and was relentless. That's all he did, and for having babies, he was great. But we had to get rid of him because he would mount his daughters when as soon as he could. Once I fence in the other five acres, we'll get another male and breed them again. But not until then. After he does his job, we will sell him or give him away. Whatever it takes to not have a male around until the babies are sold, or old enough to breed, then we will buy another male and breed again.

How much land do you have for them? What type of fencing do you have for them? Goat fencing is 4x4 mesh or smaller. Anything bigger, and they will get their heads stuck in there. I read that 3x12 works because they can get out of that sized opening, but I haven't tried that myself. Coyotes will attack them, so fencing to keep coyotes out is just as important as keeping goats in.

Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7439434 02/20/19 03:16 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,082
J.G. Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,082
Goats are born looking for a place to die.

If you can pitch water through the fence, a goat can get out of it.

A kid, and doe goat are every predator's favorite food.

5' tall non-climb wire (2"x4" openings) stretched banjo string tight. You'll need a Great Pyranese to live with them 24/7. Those are the ways to curtail goat loss. Notice I didn't say stop. Make sure all your neighbors have your cell phone number, so they can let you know when goats are out, or some have been killed, if you don't get the Great Pyranese.


[Linked Image]
800 Yard Steel Range
Precision Rifle Instruction
Memberships and Classes Available
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7439468 02/20/19 03:52 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
E
Erathkid Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
E
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 19,498
^^^^^Wisdom^^^^^


Life is too short, as is. Don't chance it.
Don't text and drive.
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Erathkid] #7439533 02/20/19 04:59 PM
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,258
D
dkershen Offline
Rev Dave
Offline
Rev Dave
D
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 24,258
Originally Posted by Erathkid
^^^^^Wisdom^^^^^

X2

I'd get 3 or 4 burros if your just looking for something to help keep a few acres grazed down.


To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.

www.NewHopeEquine.com - Health and Healing through Horses.
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: dkershen] #7439550 02/20/19 05:24 PM
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,077
T
TKandMike Offline
Veteran Tracker
Offline
Veteran Tracker
T
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,077
Originally Posted by dkershen


I'd get 3 or 4 burros if your just looking for something to help keep a few acres grazed down.



Tougher and sometimes less idiotic than goats

Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7439562 02/20/19 05:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Creekrunner Offline OP
THF Celebrity
OP Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
I'd thought of burros. Would they get the weeds along a fence line as well as a goat? When I mentioned burros to the wife she immediately reminded me that she's allergic to horses (and she is, extremely), but it's not like they're gonna be in the house. And, they'd probably just ignore my yapping dog.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7439572 02/20/19 05:55 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,788
dogcatcher Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,788
Check with the neighbors about a "cheap" grass lease to help keep the weeds and grass down. They get almost free grazing and you get the benefit without a lot of hassle or expense.


Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back.
_____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________

[Linked Image]
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7439601 02/20/19 06:23 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,414
S
stinkbelly Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
S
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,414
We have a lot of goats and they need assistance. If you aren't going to be there I would recommend a donkey or llama. They both can handle a yote.

Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7439641 02/20/19 07:10 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,818
P
PMK Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
P
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,818
lama bolt


"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."

~PMK~
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7439652 02/20/19 07:26 PM
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,948
D
don k Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
D
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 14,948
[Linked Image]
Here you go though it will cost you a few bucks to get started.

Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: don k] #7439680 02/20/19 07:59 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Creekrunner Offline OP
THF Celebrity
OP Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 25,138
Originally Posted by don k
[Linked Image]
Here you go though it will cost you a few bucks to get started.


Surely you'd cut me a "brother-in-law" deal, assuming you like your brother-in-law. grin


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7440067 02/21/19 01:59 AM
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,808
R
RattlesnakeDan Online Content
Veteran Tracker
Online Content
Veteran Tracker
R
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,808
Get some miniature donkeys, they eat everything, require no supplements and are typically pretty friendly and fun to have around.


Just like Jesus, sometimes you gotta kill some hogs.
Lone Star Mesquite . com
RattleSnake Dan's Shredding Service
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: PMK] #7440074 02/21/19 02:08 AM
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 456
S
Struggle Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
S
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 456
Originally Posted by PMK
lama bolt

We need another llama thread!

Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Papalote] #7440083 02/21/19 02:20 AM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,464
N
ndhunter Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
N
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,464
Originally Posted by Papalote
Sheep may be best. Goats get into and on top of everything. Goats with horns get caught in fences and die there. Hair sheep (Barbados) need little care. Set up a FAIL PROOF water supply and maybe a feeder for GP. Ram and a few ewes should keep things clean. Let them propagate so you can enjoy BBQ or sell a couple each year to offset the costs.

Plus, Ag exemption IS important!! May want to investigate minimum requirements.

Papalote


sheep go to heaven and goats go to hell

Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Struggle] #7440095 02/21/19 02:31 AM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,413
S
SnakeWrangler Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,413
Originally Posted by Struggle
Originally Posted by PMK
lama bolt

We need another llama thread!

And they are hell on coyotes and goats..... clap


Originally Posted by Sneaky
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored]
Originally Posted by beaversnipe
Actually, BBC is pretty damn good

"You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7440101 02/21/19 02:37 AM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,712
T
Txduckman Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 17,712
Some places rent goats. Then they are gone when their job is done.

http://rentagoat.com/

Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7440109 02/21/19 02:41 AM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
S
stxranchman Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
Offline
Obie Juan Kenobi
S
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
I would not get goats or donkeys. If you like you dog I would not have a donkey as they can get very aggressive towards dogs or any other predator. A ranch I managed got several miniature donkeys and one jack. None of them were ever aggressive towards my lab till one day when the owners family was out and the lab followed them into when they went to feed the donkeys. The jack almost killed my lab had they not reacted quickly. If you are getting more acreage I might would look at getting a longhorn steer or two. Very low maintenance and live a long time. Close it up from time to time in the smaller area to eat it down then release it onto the larger acreage.


Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?[Linked Image]
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Creekrunner] #7440115 02/21/19 02:50 AM
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 218
F
Frio Town Offline
Woodsman
Offline
Woodsman
F
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 218
If you have brush on the place, a goat will spend most of it's time with the browse and not pay any attention to your grass. Only as a last resort will a goat eat grass. Remember they are a cousin to deer.


"Let's Go Brandon"
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Frio Town] #7440138 02/21/19 03:04 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,082
J.G. Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,082
Originally Posted by Frio Town
If you have brush on the place, a goat will spend most of it's time with the browse and not pay any attention to your grass. Only as a last resort will a goat eat grass. Remember they are a cousin to deer.


And they'd rather have the Johnson grass, and any other broadleaf grass. They might starve to death on a perfectly clean Bermuda field. That's the good about them, the bad has already been addressed.


[Linked Image]
800 Yard Steel Range
Precision Rifle Instruction
Memberships and Classes Available
Re: Goats?...or what? [Re: Struggle] #7440140 02/21/19 03:05 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,082
J.G. Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,082
Originally Posted by Struggle
Originally Posted by PMK
lama bolt

We need another llama thread!


Go check the O.T. I've got a pretty good one. Not my story, but hilarious anyway.


[Linked Image]
800 Yard Steel Range
Precision Rifle Instruction
Memberships and Classes Available
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3