The things we do for our animals…
So you know about how conventional wisdom says goats eat anything and everything?
Yeah, not mine.
After having goats for a few years, I’ve learned they are browsers (like to eat trees and shrubs) not grazers (don’t really love the grass) and mine are picky. Brandy is especially particular, and won’t eat any treat if it’s hit the ground. She doesn’t even have a five second rule.
Recently I spent two hours weeding the barnyard of boatloads of Canadian Thistle, which goat nor pig nor chicken will even attempt to eat. And even with four goats and a pig that eats all day, the grass in there is so long I’m thinking of asking Very Excellent Husband Don to go over it with the lawnmower.
Then I say to myself, “ARE YOU NUTS?”
I reply, “Maybe. Probably.”
But that’s the least of it. I spent hours standing on top of the coop – it’s that ripply metal roofing so I had to stand with my feet cocked sideways – cutting all the sucker branches off the big Siberian Elm in our backyard. I knew since the goats were browsers they would love the branches with their juicy leaves.
All trimmed up as far as I can reach!
They did – they loved the branches! But only if the leaves were not touching the ground. I’m not kidding.
Except the Littles. They aren’t picky. Thank you, Littles.
SOOOO, for three days I propped up the branches so the leaves would be available for eating without those silly goats needing to bend down.
I might have done it for the goats, but Doink is the first person to the buffet!
Jessie is not as picky as Brandy, but knows a good thing when he sees it.
Hmmm…has this been on the ground? Cuz I’m not eating it if it’s been on the ground.
Of course, I needed to flip the branches so the leafy side was always up…
Brandy knocks it over as she sniffs. Thanks for the help, Brandy.
I’m gonna take it back to the shed and eat it there if that’s ok with you, Lady.
Then there’s the “eat on the go” area.
We can play and eat at the same time! Cool!
There you have it. I spoil my goats. Call me crazy. Can’t help myself. Then again, I don’t know who’s happier – the goats…or me!
(Shared at Maple Hill Hop, Tuesdays With A Twist, Homestead Barn Hop, Clever Chicks Hop, Homesteaders Hop, Simple Saturdays, Farmgirl Friday, From the Farm Hop, Old-Fashioned Friday, Little House Friday and HomeAcre Hop)
Oh my goodness . . . and here I thought my dogs were spoiled. Ha! I love it! I also love your ability to portray your personality in your writing. 🙂
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I can’t say much. I just gave my hot chickens some frozen bananas and ice water! Also some frozen green pepper that had freezer burn! Great post, by the way!
Aw I love this post! You are such a good mama and I’m totally with you when it comes to who loves all the spoiling the most, us or them. BTW the beer cocktail sounds fabulous, like a michlata with simple syrup, right? yum. Thanks for the tip I’ll be making a batch this weekend 🙂
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The things we do for our animals! Now all you need to add to your barnyard is some geese to eat that grass!
Haha this made me laugh out loud! I’d love some goats but my husband is worried they’d eat our olive trees. Now I’ll show him – only if the leaves aren’t touching the ground! Thanks for sharing!
I can’t wait to add goats to our homestead, but it’s a ways off. I love this post!
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