Ongoing | Chickens in the Road

May
23

From the further annals of you knew this was coming, Eclipse got into the (nanny) goat yard today.

He doesn’t want to go anywhere else now. He’s fine, thanks. He’s home.

What’s not to love?

OR NOT.

I can’t drag him out of there on my own. He’s too strong. (I’m not afraid of him–he’s quite docile, and he’s light enough that I could drag him out, but not if he resists. And he resists.) So, I sacrificed myself by grabbing a package of stale graham crackers and went into the goat yard in a futile attempt to trap Eclipse, and only Eclipse, in the goat house. Then I came back inside and changed my clothes. I was covered in hoof prints. Girl hoof prints. Eclipse was having nothing to do with The Trap.

However, I can now report that even Glory Bee likes graham crackers.

Anyway. I’ll have to await help later this evening. The girls don’t seem to be in heat, so I think it’s okay. We’ll find out in five months. (SIGH.) Apparently, attempts over the weekend to reinforce the duck ‘n’ buck yard were fruitless, though now it’s only Eclipse getting out, not Sailor and Pirate anymore. Short of running electric or investing in battery-operated electric, an intermediary next step we’re going to try is the suggestion (from the comments) about running barbed wire. If that doesn’t work, we’ll have to keep moving on, probably to the battery-operated electric next.

Meanwhile, Eclipse is having a nice evening. You?

More posts you might enjoy:

18 Responses
RSS feed for comments on this post | TrackBack this post

5-23
6:41
pm

BAH HA HA!!!

ingrid66

Flag this comment
5-23
6:47
pm

I wonder how he got INTO the girls’ yard? And maybe he will show them how to get OUT of there? He sounds like quite the instigator! But he looks content there on the big spool cuddling up to all the girls.

brookdale

Flag this comment
5-23
7:03
pm

Suzanne, don’t go to the expense yet of electric wire. Google Stretching fence wire. There are different ways. An old-time farmer or rancher will know just how to do this. If it is stretched correctly it will be tight and they (the rascals) won’t be able to get under to get out. The better fencing is woven. Some fencing is spot welded and falls apart. You can make a home-made stetcher and use a come-a-long. My DH made his own, which we have used for years. You do have to brace your fence posts for this to work. The rascals just want extra cookies and a visit.

Bev in CA

Flag this comment
5-23
7:22
pm

Neuter him and leave him with the girls?

hollygee

Flag this comment
5-23
8:24
pm

You have to admit, the picture of him chillaxin with the ladies was awfully adorable!

DancesInGarden

Flag this comment
5-23
8:38
pm

I guess boys will be boys. At least now he won’t eat your roses :-)

twiggityNDgoats

Flag this comment
5-23
9:04
pm

Maybe he is destined to be, ummm, a harmless companion of the females if you get my drift?!

cabynfevr

Flag this comment
5-23
9:13
pm

Do you remember how you used to inspire the chickens by reading fricassee recipes aloud to them? Maybe it’s time to tell Eclipse the story of the little wether that could…and would.

whaledancer

Flag this comment
5-23
9:15
pm

He da man!!! This is so funny (to your blog readers anyway!)

yvonnem

Flag this comment
5-23
10:28
pm

Maybe you can lure all of the girl goats out. Then he’ll follow?

sophanne

Flag this comment
5-24
2:13
am

I’ll bet you could find some goat recipes to read to him …. heh heh!!!

NancyL

Flag this comment
5-24
5:08
am

I’m sorry you had a rough time but HAHAHA I’m sitting here by myself laughing out loud at 5 am. My next door neighbor must think I’m deranged LOL Thank you so much for your blog

amyg

Flag this comment
5-24
6:54
am

Perhaps you could consider solar electric fencing instead of battery. I’ve read great things about how mobile and effective it is.

Paperandchrome

Flag this comment
5-24
7:47
am

I guess he thinks you have nothing else to do. These goats are the ones that keep ya busy the most. Mine are too. I have had days when I don’t even want to go outside at all. Just let them have the whole yard. I don’t care. They are the hardest animal to keep in where they don’t want to be. I have had sheep and goats together before. The goats will find a hole big enough to get through and they are outta there. And the sheep will just watch them go. Very frustrating for sure. I hope you get it figured out and fixed or he may be sausage before too long!

outbackfarm

Flag this comment
5-24
8:16
am

I love your goat posts! You have inspired another person to try goats. I am the proud new owner of two little Boer-Nubian cross girls. I haven’t actually seen them yet since I am away on a business trip, but FabHub tells me they are white with brown heads and have the Nubian neck wattles. I am so excited to get home and see them!
We went with this cross for their eating ability. We are mostly a cattle farm and there are places we want to get rid of weeds the cows won’t eat, the briers and multifloral roses. The BIL has some other mixed up goats and they seem to like lounging around in between Bon-bon snacks.
The cross is also supposed to bring in good milk for the babies, but not so much they need to be milked. I don’t think I want to get into that job.
Anyway, I will be posting pictures as soon as I get home.

STracer

Flag this comment
5-24
11:04
am

i have yet to meet a goat that couldn’t get through barbed wire-at least the pygmy and dwarf ones. it also has to be properly stretched and set up. we have had great success with a strand of electric ran from a solar charger. actually, we use electro-braid and a solar charger to keep in all of our cows and horses. it will not work for sheep! there must be an open, sunny area for the charger. i see you have lots of trees, plants touching and downed branches can decrease the effectiveness of electric fencing. so, as with all fencing, there is at least minimal maintenance. all wire fencing requires stretching to be truly effective, barbed, non-climb, chainlink, ets. barbed wire is also known for the great damage it does on any unfortunate stock animal that gets tangled in it (ahem, goofy calves?). it is the fencing of choice in my area, but i will have none on my property.

texomamorganlady

Flag this comment
5-24
2:37
pm

I really hate barb wire…

When our beagles were digging under the fence we put a heavy chicken wire down and attached it to the fence standing up.

msmitoagain

Flag this comment
5-26
1:04
am

He definately looks at home with the ladies!

Mountain Blessings

Flag this comment

Registration is required to leave a comment on this site. You may register here. (You can use this same username on the forum as well.) Already registered? Login here.

Discussion is encouraged, and differing opinions are welcome. However, please don't say anything your grandmother would be ashamed to read. If you see an objectionable comment, you may flag it for moderation. If you write an objectionable comment, be aware that it may be flagged--and deleted. I'm glad you're here. Welcome to our community!