Monday, February 21, 2011

Experimentation

This is where we normally feed the llama ladies.

Yep, right there. I have a couple rubbermaid tubs that I fill with hay and then I set
them in there. Its quite easy actually.

You see, in the evenings the goats normally get put to bed in their little goat stall in the barn and that leaves the llamas out all night to happily enjoy the pastures on their own. And then they can eat as they please from their little rubbermaid tubs.

Well, as of late, we have been experimenting.

We have been leaving the goat boys out all night along with the llamas.

They seem to love it. I will look out there of an evening and they are all bedded
down next to each other....peace...harmony....

Except for one little detail.

These sweet, little goat boys...

Who are clearly starved for attention...

And never get any belly scratches....

Or great big hugs....

Yeah those goats.

They wont let the lovely llama ladies eat in peace. They jump right in those rubbermaid tubs and go to town on that hay. And while Im all about sharing and all that good stuff...I really like to be able to monitor their hay intake. Especially Dollys...who is getting older and needs more food in the winter months.

So what to do?

S came up with a really great idea to make hay feeders just for the llamas.

So those super friendly, in your personal space goats, couldnt reach them.

Only trouble is...they are kinda too high. Toni (and Dolly) have a hard time reaching them.

We could lower them, but as you can see from one of the previous pictures...if we lower them too much more then those goat boys will be able to get to them.

Yeah, those same goat boys I talked about earlier.

The ones that never get scratches till they doze off...

The ones that never get to play the head butt game with dad....



The ones that would certainly never show you their sweet, little goat butts.

Do you guys have any suggestions?

10 comments:

4RRanch said...

The goats on the spools are too cute.

Anonymous said...

Is there something that they don't like? Yeah know how cat's don't like plastic bags. Maybe google it and see if you can find some info online. Also is it possible for you to separate them if not all day at feeding time?Shelly

frugalmom said...

Shelly: I do separate them in the morning...after they have been out all night, I put the goats up in their stall in the morning to give the ladies a break and allow them to eat in peace. :-)

goatgirl said...

It is so good to see the goat boys. they look great. Yes, goats have no idea what personal space means. I don't have any suggestions for you. Sorry.
I really need to find some spools.

You are taking wonderful care of your critters and it probably doesn't bother the llamas to have goats in their hay as much as it does you. Probably helps them bond as a herd and they will be more likely to protect the goats.

Jayne said...

There are hay racks that you can find at your local farm co-op that would work great in your situation. You could put them at any height on the wall that would work for the llamas, and a bit of hay would fall and keep the goaties happy. I think they run about $25, depending on the design.

Debbie said...

I love your blog! I raise fainting goats, but your llamas are adorable. My goats might share their hay, but never their cookies!

SupaFlowaPowa said...

The goats are so cute! Do you guys get milk from them too? In your banner photo, do one of the goats have two faces or is that just the shadow?

Lana from Farm Life Lessons said...

I have been laughing out loud, for REAL! This is hysterical. I love the pictures and the llama feeder up high was an excellent idea. Your husband playing Head-Butting was so funny and the butt shots of the cute little goats are awesome. What kind of goats are these? They are adorable! We just took a goat class. Yes, a goat class. Remember, I'm from Houston. haha

Lana C.
www.FarmLifeLessons.blogspot.com

frugalmom said...

Lana: My sweet goat boys are nigerian dwarf goats. And I love, love, love them :-) As you can see, we all do. Well, not the llamas as much...but thats a whole nother story. We actually didnt end up using that great little hay feeder that my husband made...it just wasnt working out as we had hoped, but what we did was just move our other feeders out there and attach them to the chicken coop. That has worked like a charm. :-)
Thank you so much for reading. I really need to update!!! Your comments are in inspiration to do just that. Thank you :-)

frugalmom said...

Lana: Oh, and a goat class sounds awesome. I would love to go to one of those. We have just been here on our farm for right past a year....we love it so much, but I have to say there is a lot to learn...and sometimes(at least for me) hands on is the best way :-)