Goat Toys

[tressa27884]

I'm wondering what you put in your goat pens for them to play with...

Thanks.

 

[Ms. Research]

I'm wondering what you put in your goat pens for them to play with...

Thanks.

This website was mentioned here a couple times. I highly recommend it to those who want to learn about goats. Its the Dairy Goat Journal

Some suggestions in the article.

Many playground objects can be obtained free of charge just by asking. Some additional ideas include:

Wood electrical spools: Electrical wire for cable or telephone companies are supplied on varying sizes of wooden spools. The larger spools are approximately three feet in diameter and approximately two feet or more in height. The spools are great for climbing on as well as for laying on. Companies that use these spools are usually more than willing to give them to anyone who asks.

Recycled mineral tubs: Large cattle mineral tubs can be washed out and turned over for the goats to jump on. The heavier plastic type tubs are ideal for large goats. They withstand the weather, and the weight of the goats. These tubs are easily replaced if they become cracked or otherwise damaged. I have heard of a goat getting trapped under one of these tubs, so be sure to check on the goats frequently, especially if they seem to be able to tip the tubs.

Recycled plastic drums: Cutting off both ends of a plastic drum will create a tunnel for the goats to climb in and over. When acquiring the plastic drums, make sure to find out what product was stored in the drums. Sometimes the drums are used for transporting hazardous chemicals and material that could absorb into the plastic.
Goats love to have a place to scratch and groom, and this old rotary brush makes an excellent (an inexpensive) self groomer.
Goats love to have a place to scratch and groom, and this old rotary brush makes an excellent (an inexpensive) self groomer.

Balance beams: Balance beams can be constructed from concrete blocks and wood posts. The wood posts fit into the hole in the concrete block. The weight of the concrete block keeps the balance beam from moving.

Tether balls: Tether balls are great toys for goats. Tether balls are fairly inexpensive to make or can be purchased rather inexpensively at any sporting goods store. The tether ball pole should be sunk in concrete to eliminate the chance of it being knocked over.

Round bales of hay: Round bales are one of my goats' favorite climbing toys. When a new round bale is put in the pen, the goats will jump up onto the top of the bale. They generally will lie down and eat from the top. A lot of hay is wasted this way, but goats just love to climb and rub on a junk hay bale.

Recycled brushes from car washes: Car wash brushes may be a little more difficult to find, but they make nice rubbing posts for goats as well as other farm animals.

Recycled milk jugs without lids: This toy will keep your goats entertained for hours, and the cost is next-to-nothing. Clean out a plastic milk jug, making sure that no milk or water residue remains. After the jug is dry, put a handful of grain into the jug and give to the goat. The goat will spend hours twisting, dropping, tossing, and throwing the jug trying to get the grain out of it.

Goat toys don't have to be made out of anything that would cost a lot of money. A little bit of imagination can turn a few recycled objects from around the farm into hours of fun. Having different things for the goats to play on and around will stave off boredom. It is my opinion that happy goats tend to live longer and be better producers.

Here's the rest of the article they have for "Goat Toys".

http://www.dairygoatjournal.com/issues/84/84-3/Danielle_Westvang.html


Hope this helps. Keeping your goats mentally stimulated keeps goats happy. IMHO, that could be said for any animal.

 

[20kidsonhill]

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=11093

 

[20kidsonhill]

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=96482#p96482

 

[Queen Mum]

NEVER use a round bale standing up as a goat toy. My landlord did that and one day couldn't find a goat. Weeks later he found the goat under the bale. It had fallen over on top of the goat.

 

[tressa27884]

I had seen the article in the goat journal, but I was wondering what people here had found that worked well. I love this site for the creativity of it's members - and as I'm starting to think goat pasture I wanted to start thinking enrichment ideas as well. I want happy goats .

Tressa

 

[RareBreedFancier]

NEVER use a round bale standing up as a goat toy. My landlord did that and one day couldn't find a goat. Weeks later he found the goat under the bale. It had fallen over on top of the goat.

That's awful! How on earth did the round bale fall over? I feed mine like that and I didn't think it would be possible for it to fall and my goats do love jumping up on it.

 

[20kidsonhill]

your round hay bales should be stacked up so they don't eat out from under them and fall on your smaller livestock, such as goat or sheep. 5 or 6 t-posts steaked in around the bale can reallly help with this.

 

[tressa27884]

I'm so sorry for doing this. Somebody sent me links to some goat play pictures from other byh posts and I can't find it? If you can find it, will you please re-send it to me. So frustrating. Sorry

Tressa

 

[Queen Mum]

NEVER use a round bale standing up as a goat toy. My landlord did that and one day couldn't find a goat. Weeks later he found the goat under the bale. It had fallen over on top of the goat.

That's awful! How on earth did the round bale fall over? I feed mine like that and I didn't think it would be possible for it to fall and my goats do love jumping up on it.

Not sure how it fell. I think it was a terrain issue. The bale was on a round bale feeder. But it was pretty awful for the landlord. They stopped using round bales after that.