Meet Our Farm's New Goats (Was this a bad idea?)

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Gold Shaw Farm
PO Box 225
Peacham, VT 05862

About Gold Shaw Farm: Gold Shaw Farm is more of a farm-in-progress than an honest-to-goodness farm. Our dream is that someday, we can transform our 150+ acre parcel of land into a regenerative and productive homestead and farm.

[PredictableEnigma]

You can tell these goats have been treated well, because they are more comfortable following people around than being anywhere else 😄

[harmen]

In Dutch we have a saying: If you want to learn how to curse, buy some goats

[jennyg]

After hearing about not getting goats for years, I'm looking forward to this. 😂

[beasea]

Hi I'm Larry, this is my brother Darryl and this is my other brother Darryl.

[jordannoel]

1.Always do a biosecurity panel and a fecal on new goats.
2. They hate getting wet
3. Wethers can't have alfalfa or too much grain and grain needs ammonium chloride in it
4. Always have loose minerals available. They can't get enough from blocks
5. Keep probiotics and baking soda on hand
6. Get them toys to climb on

[kaje]

So basically you now have 5 dogs. You’re gonna love it when they get used to you and start following you around and interacting with you. I love goats!!!

[lauriemartin]

There is a video on you tube by a vet that tells why goats need a playground. She talks about their specific needs and shows you examples of what will meet their needs. Miniture Nigerian goats were in a video about goats that do well in cold climates.

[ladyteruki]

It's awesome how they immediately were so friendly. Nothing like how scared the Moo Crew was at first, or the pigs usually are when they arrive. Hopefully it works in the goats' favor in the long run so that this test leads to goats being a permanent animal on the farm... but now the biggest challenge is for them to find their place in the farm's ecosystem and earn their keep.

[annaraab]

Goats are escape artists. They are also ground cleaning machines.

[Dovietail]

Goats HATE BEING WET. Big shelter is GREAT!

[melindamckenry]

My sister has had goats on her farm for years...they follow her like puppies. She has tree stumps and different lengths of logs that they love to climb on. You can also bury a tire or two and they will climb on those. It doesn't have to be fancy to entertain them. Baby goats (kids) are a treat to watch. Give them a few weeks in the new pen before you let them wander - it will also help Abby to know they belong.

[maraleefoster]

🌟 I know how to make your goats OK with dogs. I’m glad that you’re looking for solutions bc I did have a LaMancha doe beat the crap out of two 100 pound dogs that got into my pasture so I was concerned about Abbey & Toby. Obviously coyotes & wolves are enemies to goats so it’s instinctual for them to feel threatened by dogs as well. Goats are so intelligent but I find that they learn quickest by observing other animals - you need a goat that is friendly with your dogs. When I was new at homesteading, I came home late one December (temperature was -2 F) night to find that my 1st pregnant doe had kidded. Two kids were fine however one was still wet, cold & motionless but it had a faint heartbeat. I wrapped it in my jacket & started CPR. It took hours of work but he survived (he looks just like your red goat). He was extra small & it was an extra cold winter so he was raised inside with my dogs for several months. One day the herd saw him playing outside the pasture with my dogs. The herd was terrified on his behalf and stood at the gate screaming for him to get away from the dogs. He (Mervyn) ignored the goats & continued to play with the dogs. Slowly the herd began to calm down as they kept watching Mervyn & the dogs play. After about 15 minutes the herd lost interest. After observing their reactions, I wondered if they would now accept my dogs (the herd had been very aggressive towards them in the past). I brought the goats out individually to meet the dogs. They didn’t love the dogs but they didn’t show any fear or aggression either. After that they completely ignored the dogs when they went into the pasture. Funny thing is that once he was able to rejoin the herd, Mervyn learned that goats often greet each other by giving head butts - softer than playful head butts but still harder than any other animal would care for. Mervyn then taught the dogs to touch heads with him as a greeting before they could play. It terrified my dogs at first however they soon learned that it wasn’t going to hurt them. but Another shorter example that is also a cautionary tale is when I decided to teach one of my very large dogs who would refuse to get in my truck, to get in it. I should not have done this in front of the goat pasture bc they noticed that treats were involved so I unintentionally had their attention. My dog was a very stubborn breed all I could get out of him that day was to put his front feet on the floor board of the truck. I ended up lifting his hind end into the truck repeatedly before I gave up. I then decided to train the goats to a stanchion (very helpful to have even if you’re not milking). The goats all immediately put their front feet on the stanchion when I brought out the treats but none would get all the way up on the stanchion. They actually stood there perfectly still waiting for me to lift their back feet onto the stanchion. They had learned to earn their treats by watching my dog 🤦‍♀️. To confirm my conclusion, I worked with my dog the next day in front of the goats and only gave the treat when he was fully in the truck. I had tested the goats on the stanchion prior to the dog training session & had the same results as the day before. After the 2nd dog training session, the goats jumped up onto the stanchion without additional prompts.

[lisaw]

Goats are SO intelligent! After watching us a few times, one of our goats escaped the electric fence, came up on our front porch, jumped on the side of the sliding glass door, & walked into the house! 🤯
We learned quickly to keep that door locked! 🤣

[lindsaysullivan]

Toby is literally the best with new animals. I love him.

[Oldjohn]

I told you containing them was hard. A ten foot fence made of wrought iron ought to do.

[marvinbahr]

05:04 its so cute that tobi is clearly scared but trys to protect alison

[EmilyGOODENUGH]

You were trolling us with that first fence just to get the LOLs and comments. :P

[meercatt]

Oh my guy .. I laughed out loud when I saw that initial fence. 😂 Goats are professional escape artists and young ones cannot be contained. 😂😂😂
Thanks for the laughs .. this is going to be a lot of fun to watch. They are the most lovable creatures I hope you keep them❤❤❤😊

[dca]

I've raised Nigerian dwarf goats since 05'. Never ever had an escape. Highly recommend:
Wellscroft Fencing Harrisville NH.

[MrThedrachen]

I love how the goats immediately escaped their pen, but only because you left and they wanted to stay with you.