Pans Place Farm

Unique
Lessons Learned

Some of these lessons aren't in the book.
Friends didn't always warn us.
Sometimes we learned the hard way.

Choose a "LESSON" below to jump down to it.

Lesson #1:

"A 48 inch wall is not high enough."

While designing the new barn specifically for goats we, of course, built the wood
dividing walls and doors to the book recommended 48 inch height. It was the perfect
picture of a planned design. The first couple of goats that moved in (our two generics)
were mature and happy just to be together. We eventually had a group of four Pygora's
arrive at the same time. They were originally raised together and the initial attempt to
separate the boys from the girls (before they got too friendly) taught us that playful
determination made our walls less than an efficient barrier. One of the bucks could have
joined the olympics with the ease that he leaped the 48 inch wall. We reluctantly added
an 18 inch heavy wire extension to the top of the walls which controlled our ambitious buck
and made our pristine barn look more like a goaty prison.
P.S. The same buck also learned to jump the 5 foot wall to the storage area by spring jumping
off a fixed plastic wall feeder. We moved the feeder.

Lesson #2:

"All hooves are not the same."

Trimming hooves is a basic requirement when owning goats.
The articles we have found about hooves do a good job at explaining "why" they
need to be trimmed but are not very specific about how to perform this loving task.
The first hooves we attempted to trim was in poor condition and definitely didn't look
like what was in the book. "How much do I trim off?" "Do I trim this grey stuff?" and
"What's this lump over here?" were some of the initial comments. The next goat had a
completely different style hoof and more questions to resolve. A local goat owner and friend
kindly volunteered to help us and with more questions and a few trimmings later we believe
we have learned the basics and hope our goats now appreciate our efforts.
Trimming hooves is not a difficult task and actually provides some quality time with each goat
individually. We do recommend that you find someone with experience to help the first time.
(We still haven't found a comprehensive article on the subject.)

Lesson #3:

"Spread out the munchies."

We started off hand feeding the grain because it was fun and we wanted to
develop a good relationship with our new furry friends. As more goats joined
the group we switched to small plastic wall feeders and thought we installed
enough of them. The goats could possibly even share if it got crowded. We forgot
about hierarchy in goat herds and heads started butting with the biggest getting the most.
They all attached the same feeder and four heads did not fit into one plastic container.
We have now increased the feeding access area with larger containers and long troughs hanging
from chain. Each goat should have easy access and have room to feed on the goodies.
Books show other alternatives including individual head gates that protect and separate
them when they eat along with different sizes to separate small and large goats.
Remember not to spread the grain on the ground.
We still feed grain by hand some times just to have that personal touch.

Lesson #4:

"Feeding can also be a frenzy."

Goats learn early that you are the local premium grocery store.
When you arrive at the barn for feeding they know that it's time for the good stuff.
All the goats gather at their entrance gates and then shuffle around our feet till
we distribute their daily grain in the feeders. Although it is nice to be welcomed
it can be a bit tricky to move around when multiple sets of hooves are greeting your bare legs.
Along with the frenzy of eating time, they have learned to stick their head in the way
of the gate closing and wiggle their way past us into the human domain of the barn.
We now time everything so they are busy eating when we fill the water containers and get back
thru the gate. We love to play with them but sometimes you're in a hurry
to pick up the two legged kids from school.

Lesson #5:

"Horns do have the advantage."

Pygora's are traditionally disbudded (horns removed) at an early age.
This practice has it's advantages such as reducing the chance of getting hung in the fence
as they grow. (Solution to that is to put up a proper fence.) Goats with horns do not
seem to have an advantage when head butting. Our goats without horns are just as likely to
as the others to do the head to head challenge. Since our two original generic
goats (one doe and one buck) have horns we have seen them use their extra tools to pry their
way into a better position during feeding or to get more attention. This has not been a problem
so far with our guys and gals but we thought it appropriate to mention.
Another note: If you decide to remove the horns make sure to do it early and properly.
We have one young buck that we purchased that was improperly done and a thin edge of
horn has started to grow and will need to be removed.

Lesson #6:

"Unique aiming ability"

No matter how you try to protect it, the unique aiming ability
of the back end of the goats can find a way to place their little black
marbles in the wrong place. Maybe it's just the law of averages but we
would bet these furry critters practice aiming what they get rid of.
We realize that they really don't mean to but we can fill their spare container
with fresh cool water and some time during the day one of them are able
to float a few marbles in it and into anything else that's around the barn.
When you start placing items around the goats home keep in mind how
high you put them.(Their front end is typically higher than their back end.)
We haven't solved this completely but we are getting close. We are looking at
moving the water containers so they only have access thru a slot in the wall.

Lesson #7:

"Selenium ? Sounds radioactive!"

Selenium is a base mineral.
The requirement for goats to have a source of the mineral Selenium is
typically mentioned in most books or publications about the care of goats.
In fact goats need a full compliment of various minerals but Selenium is one
that is not found in all parts of the US. Selenium will not exist in plants
grown in regions where it is lacking in the soil. Selenium tends to be high
in soils in some mid and north western states. The easy solution is the provide
free choice containers of a mixture of minerals that can be purchased at most
feed stores.

Lesson #8:

"Is it shearing time yet?"

While writing this section of our "lessons learned" it is late fall
and the little goaties are over 6 months old and some have developed quite a
thick and long fleece. We know that this is a good thing when you are raising
fleece goats but when is it time to shear? I don't know about you but
thinking about being outdoors in 10 degree F weather in January without
a coat is not our idea of a good time. Should we shear now or in the spring?
We voted for the spring and then earlier next fall.

Lesson #9:

"Water can be heavy and get hard!""

Our goat barn is situated in a cleared area between two nice groups of trees.
The problem is that it is a 1000 ft from the only easy source of clean
water. No creek and no pond in the goat area (not that they would drink
from it anyways) so we carry water in containers to the barn. We visit the barn at
least once per day so timing for fresh water is OK. Goats like fresh water and
it is surprising how much water they can drink. Of course the more goats the more water.
The other issue is that water gets hard (freezes) when its cold weather so we can't
store it in the barn in the winter. Next spring we will add a water line and electricity
to the barn. I'm sure the furry guys and girls will appreciate it.
We will just have to increase the rent.

Lesson #10:

"Green stuff don't last long."

We mentioned above that the goat barn is between two groups of trees.
What I didn't mention is that the first field fence went around one of these wooded areas
so the goats could use their special talents to clean out all the brambles, brush and
honeysuckle. WOW, can they do that fast. Contrary to common belief, goats are
rather picky eaters. They will travel around eating all the best green goodies then
the next best and so on. The thing is, they eat it quickly. The woods are now cleared
in one summer and we have added fence to the other fields to provide a good grazing area.
The woods should look really nice next year and we can rotate the goats in the different
areas to keep it all under control.

"More later, as our furry friends continue to teach us."

How about:
"These worms aren't for fishing."
or
"Patch work field, too much fence?"
or even
"2, 4 or 6 inch heads."