head stalls for goats

[bj taylor]

I see pictures y'all have of stands that allow the goat to put it's head through, you have feed or something as goodie & lock the head in place. don't you have to worry about the goat stepping sideways & stepping off the platform & injuring it's neck or worse?
i'm trying to figure out how to build a restraining system so I can treat them as needed including trimming their hooves. Also, of course my goats go through the little bit of grain I give them as goody for distraction very quickly- then what? I feel I can't give very much grain or i'll have other problems, so what do you give them to keep them distracted?
thanks; bj

 

[nigerianbreeder]

First, I don't worry about them falling off. When mine do it's only one leg and never anything close to serious happens. These can also be called milking stands. After the grain mine just get to stand there and wait. Mine one doe is fine with that. The other not so much. She throws fits and just lays down so I can't do anything. Then it's a battle to keep her standing . Look online for plans. You should be able to find some.

 

[Egg_Newton]

Fiasco farm has a very easy to follow plan to build a milking stand. I use mine for trimming, giving shots, milking,everything. I've never had anyone fall off. But if are concerned with that you can always put it against a wall on one side or add remove able rails.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

I used teh plans from Fiasco Farm

http://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/milkstand.html

 

[Southern by choice]

We put alfalfa hay up there and they munch away while we do hooves, shave feet, treat etc. We do all our exams on the stanchion too. Saves the back! We built ours but ONE DAY! I will buy a heavy duty fold down one!

 

[OneFineAcre]

I used teh plans from Fiasco Farm

http://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/milkstand.html

We built this one too. We give some grain, alfalfa pellets etc.

 

[HoneyDreameMomma]

This seems like a given, but be sure the area that the goats stand on is made from something that their hooves won't slip on. We purchased a milking stand for our Nigerians and the stand area is made out of a sheet of wood so slick the goats loose their footing if someone isn't there to support them from the side. Of course, we didn't realize that until we had them on it for hoof trimming. We're thinking of tacking sandpaper or something with a little traction to the wood, so we don't have any falling goats.

 

[AshleyFishy]

We're thinking of tacking sandpaper or something with a little traction to the wood, so we don't have any falling goats.

They make a "no-slip" paint that has a grit in it, you can get it at most large hardware or home improvement stores.

 

[Egg_Newton]

This seems like a given, but be sure the area that the goats stand on is made from something that their hooves won't slip on. We purchased a milking stand for our Nigerians and the stand area is made out of a sheet of wood so slick the goats loose their footing if someone isn't there to support them from the side. Of course, we didn't realize that until we had them on it for hoof trimming. We're thinking of tacking sandpaper or something with a little traction to the wood, so we don't have any falling goats.

I purchased some rubber matting material from Menards for like $0.87 a ft and stapled it on.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

We've used left over roofing shingles - gives great traction!