Question: Do goats need exercise?
Yes! And plenty of it. For a few reasons. One, they can be a real handful if bored. Goats are surprisingly moody and fights are plentiful when they are cooped up during the winter months.
Two, lack of exercise, especially during the end of pregnancy will result in more malpositioned births, in my experience. Kidding complications are never welcome here! Especially at 3am.
Lastly, goats get fat too! We've had lazy individuals over the years who choose to lie in prime real estate under the hay feeders and their jiggly elbows never really go away. They can get fatty briskets, fatty udders and fat deposited around their internal organs which is another leading cause if kidding complications as well as a host of other illnesses.
These goats are overweight. Fat goats appear coarse and thick at the shoulder and sternum, jiggle at the elbows and lose a bit of gracefulness or 'dairy character'. |
This goat is heavily pregnant. Again, not fat. Wider than she is long, she will probably welcome triplets (at least) very soon. |
This is a another fairly ideal conditioned goat. She has a thin layer of fat over her ribs and is well muscled and strong. |
So yes, goats need exercise, much like humans. Thankfully they don't fight it as much as we do.
Who is that Togg? She's beautiful. Enjoying your blog.
ReplyDeleteShe's actually a close clipped alpine - SGCH Redwood Hills Ember Amicale. She sure is something to aspire towards!
DeleteWow, yes Redwood have wonderful animals, prices reflect that quality!
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