correcting bad behavior

[winterduchess]

As for treats, my goats LOVE graham crackers. I know that's not necessarily healthy... but they are perfect for when I need to get them to do something, or as a reward. I can hold out a graham cracker and they'll practically knock me over trying to get it!

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

For a snack I always give raisins...they love em...mine would jump thru a hoop for a handful of raisins. I dont smack my goats. Not to say sometimes some of them really deserve one!!! I move them away from what thier chewing or nipping or jumping on and put my hand over their face to cover thier sight and say NO firmly. Like any animal training repitition is key. By doing that with them so often..I dont even have to touch them for them to stop what their doing...its really great! But thats what I do with mine anyway. I think they think that if they behave badly, they will go blind!!!! Just kidding!!!

As for lead training..make sure the collar is held at the top of the head...dont try to pull the whole goat...it wont work..move the head in the direction you want them to go and the body follows. I never found pushing a goat from the back end ever worked...they seem to back up into it...lol!! Practice, practice, practice...some will do great and follow you anywhere and some take a little longer. But keep at it...they eventually get it!!

Good luck!

 

[Livinwright Farm]

I have found with my herd, that collars only choke them... either they won't come and put their head at a comprimising angle, or they pull and the collar it shoved into their throat. I switched to using a sheep halter... it leads them by the nose(so to speak) and they are more than willing to walk as close to right by my side as possible. MUCH easier!

I don't think they are accepted in the show world, so if you plan on showing, they will have to learn how not to choke themselves when on a collar/lead.

 

[elevan]

Regarding pine needles as natural dewormer...some people believe this to be true...I'm on the skeptical side of that. It won't hurt but don't rely on it and always run fecals.

 

[kstaven]

Pine: As of in Ponderosa pine can in some cases cause still births and abort fetuses.

 

[Livinwright Farm]

Regarding pine needles as natural dewormer...some people believe this to be true...I'm on the skeptical side of that. It won't hurt but don't rely on it and always run fecals.

Yes, we run fecals when they are showing any signs of possible worm load... but so far, all our fecals come back clean. So, I believe that the evergreens do work as a natural dewormer. We are trying to go as close to all natural as possible... letting them have as much medicinal "herbs" at their disposal as possible and monitoring when they go to certain ones. Momma went nutso over the hemlock trees for about a week leading up to kidding and for 3-4 days post kidding.

 

[elevan]

Pine: As of in Ponderosa pine can in some cases cause still births and abort fetuses.

Point taken. And should serve as a reminder to all that natural doesn't always mean safe. A lot of "chemical" medicines were derived from natural sources.

 

[Livinwright Farm]

Most of us that either do all natural, or as close to it as possible, make sure to research what possible effects or harm could come in using any plant medicinally for either people or animals. For example: Someone with a severe liver disease, like hepatitis c, shouldn't use Astragalus... as it will do much more harm than good to them.

The "in some cases", in regards to ponderosa pine causing still births & abortions, is mostly with animals that are either already weak(reproductively) or under conditioned/sick. The killing off of worm loads(no matter whether chemical or herbal treatment is used) can always have a chance of killing the unborn kids. Please keep this in mind.

 

[kstaven]

Most of us that either do all natural, or as close to it as possible, make sure to research what possible effects or harm could come in using any plant medicinally for either people or animals. For example: Someone with a severe liver disease, like hepatitis c, shouldn't use Astragalus... as it will do much more harm than good to them.

The "in some cases", in regards to ponderosa pine causing still births & abortions, is mostly with animals that are either already weak(reproductively) or under conditioned/sick. The killing off of worm loads(no matter whether chemical or herbal treatment is used) can always have a chance of killing the unborn kids. Please keep this in mind.

Some of it comes down to conditioning also. We brought goats in from the prairies who had never seen a ponderosa. Our area is full of them and every single goat(25) aborted. While ours who are born here can eat it by the bucket and never have issue.

 

[Tapsmom]

My goodness this has been a very helpful discussion. Thanks, everyone We live on top of a mountain in New England so they will be exposed to lots of pine. They have nibbled it a little and I wasn't planning on it being their only source of preventative care..I just figured it was a little bonus lol