Coyote concern while gone over weekend

[Baymule]

I admire your fire alarm! Other people join up, ask a question and get a few responses. Not you. You went after answers to your predicament. You'll be ok and so will your goats. For the future, get a game cam, tie it to your phone and you can check on them while you are gone. It will make you feel better.

 

[IslaBean]

It's not ideal, but it sure beats having them killed by coyotes. Do you have time to add hot wire to your pen to make it more predator secure ?

No, I don't have any hot wire or time.

 

[Pastor Dave]

The sad fact to having animals is that we can't take off on a whim without someone to tend them or precautions taken. You are taking the precautions, don't get me wrong. We couldn't go on vacations as a kid. Lots of farming families I know leave Dad at home while Mom and kids take off for Spring Break, Summer vacations, trips, etc. It's just too hard lining up someone to help out while we have to leave.

 

[Mike CHS]

The only good choices here are to keep them safe however you do that or stay at home. You can always put some kind of light in the barn as too much light won't hurt them.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Can you cut some very small 'windows' way up high on the walls so they can get light? I'm with the other folks in thinking that being in the dark is better than being dead. But, if it makes YOU feel better for them to have light - make 'em some peep holes...

 

[Latestarter]

I have to agree and echo what everyone else has suggested. Unless you're located on the equator, or up near the north pole, it's cooled down enough that the inside shouldn't get too hot during the day or too cold at night. Those poor abused animals WILL survive just fine as long as you leave them plenty of water (that they CAN'T spill!) and lots of hay to eat. Others have recommended cutting some small holes way up high and that's a great idea for ventilation as well as light. You could also use a drill and spade bit and drill vent holes and it won't take much time & is not difficult to do. You do what you gotta do.

 

[Sara Ranch]

Where are you located?

I understand your concerns - coyotes, sunlight, depression...

It sounds like your goats safety is very important to you. If you need to leave town - and it happens, we have emergencies - then please keep the goats locked up with a lot of water and hay.

Had a tornado rip through here last Saturday night. Lots of damage, lost some housing and pasture fencing. As much as I hated to do it, I had to leave the turkeys and the guineas in their house for three days (Sun, Mon, Tues) before I get a suitable safe structure in place to move them to. Even though I attempted to clean their space, and the windows were open some (it's been below freezing here), the ammonia smell was enough to wake ya up. Better the not so pleasant smell than dead. ALL of my animals appear fine. Three days locked up didn't kill them. I did visit 3x a day because I could.

I think your goats will be fine. The fact that you care so much for their safety will help too. Make sure the space is clean and secure before you leave. Plenty of water and plenty of food. When you get back from your trip, go check on them. Let them out, even if it's for 30 minutes.

 

[RoahT]

I have had to lock my animals up in the barn for a while without daylight and they were fine. It is for sure not an ideal situation, but like Sourland says, beats being eaten. I know you might feel bad leaving them in the dark for 3 days, but you will feel worse if they get torn up and eaten.

 

[Southern by choice]

IMO it really depends on your barn. Is it a barn, or a shelter with doors?
Small spaces completely closed up usually means no ventilation- this is where you run into a problem.

At least now with the issue of needing to be gone it gives you ideas of what to do for the future. Securing your areas, planning for a farm sitter, etc. Having a larger barn space that also has ventilation and natural light is imperative regardless of having the need to lock them up.

We utilize quite a few teams of Livestock Guardian Dogs- so coyotes are not an issue for us... but someone coming to take care of the farm is a problem here. Most people cannot milk goats. Our LGD's won't let a stranger in the fields.

 

[babsbag]

I am so thankful for my farm sitters. I would be divorced without them.