Goats & Chickens & Ducks Oh My! Help!

[BamburghFarms]

Hi friends!

So we have a real “hippie” homestead situation here at Bamburgh Farms!! Lol We have a flock of about 35 chickens, 5 ducks & 3 Nigerian Dwarf doelings (and previously a goose named Horace as well! ) that all live in harmony, free ranging and eating, drinking and bunking together on our little homestead. It’s great! All except “The Feed Issue” of course!! So, obviously chicken feed is a no because I refuse to even accidentally risk my little goat angels to chicken feed poisoning. I read to feed everyone goat food to accomplish this. They all eat it, the goats haven’t ever bloated up again like they did the time they tipped the layer pellets, which is what prompted the food change last month. We have been feeding a sweet feed goat mix with black oil sunflower seeds mixed in. My chickens however aren’t looking as beautiful and fat and vibrant as they did when we were feeding them the Purena Layena Plus laying pellets but since the goats can’t have that, what can I add to my sweet mix goat feed sunflower seeds mix to add things the birds need that they aren’t getting from that mix but that also won’t hurt my goats or cause them to over eat to the point of foundering themselves? My friend just lost her new buckling because he got into the chicken feed and ate until it killed him and I am terrified that will happen to my baby Khaleesi goat! (Picture bc I think she is the most beautiful thing in the whole world... well, next to my human child that is!! Hahaha)

 

[sourland]

Can't you construct a creep feeder that the chickens can access but the goats can not ? Each species really needs a feed specifically created for their point in life.

 

[BamburghFarms]

Thank you for that advice! I haven’t heard of a creep feeder so I am hitting Google as we speak!

 

[sourland]

Understand that goats are relentless so it would have to be strongly created. Basically it is a structure around a feeder constructed with openings big enough for the chickens to enter but small enough to exclude the goats. You can be inventive on this.

 

[BamburghFarms]

Understand that goats are relentless so it would have to be strongly created. Basically it is a structure around a feeder constructed with openings big enough for the chickens to enter but small enough to exclude the goats. You can be inventive on this.

This is looking like an excellent option! I am currently remodeling our set up as it is so this is absolutely a viable option! Thank you! I am sure Purena thanks you as well since I am pretty sure we keep them in business ourselves with all the feed we were buying! Lol! But the chickens never looked better! They still look good and are super healthy and the eggs are still great quality but it’s just the difference in show quality plumage and “fatness” vs. just... well... not that! Lol

 

[Fur-N-Fowl]

We pretty much live in a super similar situation! I can agree with you it's very difficult to feed chickens but prevent the goats from eating any remaining food the chickens haven't finished eating. Of course, they do get bloated...

Goats are super super (x50) greedy. They will do absolutely anything to get the chickens feed.

All our chickens and ducks mingle with our two male goats. Luckily, while we feed our chickens, we also feed our goats.

Our goats get fed on a morning and night and have hay available all day. Our chickens get fed during the time our goats get their feed. We feed our goats locked in their pen, then feed the chickens to. They only go back together when all feed is gone.

I know you may not have this option so if not, I could suggest special types of feeders. You can get certain feeders that requires the chickens to stand on it to be able to get to the feed. I can't guarantee that the goats won't learn how to do that though...they're clever!

I could also suggest possibly making a thin ramp and shelf that you could place your chickens feeders on. As long as the ramp is thin (maybe use a sloped ladder type ramp) and the shelf is at least 5ft, you goats shouldn't be able to get onto it. At least then your chickens can climb up for their feed and the goats can't get it.

It is important that the chickens get their correct feed and the goats get their own too. Each feed contains different nutrient levels specific for that species. Your chickens would probably be able to survive on goat feed, but I'd doubt they'd thrive.

Good luck though I know it's difficult!

Edit: As @sourland suggested, you can use feeders that have size specific holes on them, at least then it'd also be suitable for your ducks. Just make sure to make them very secure and that they have secure lids and are un-tippable. I had one of those and the goats managed to get their horns in and pull it apart...honestly they'll do anything. As long as it can be drilled down or clipped securely I'd say it's a good option!

 

[Alaskan]

If the chickens are good flyers I would put a chicken feeder way up high, but make them fly up, no ramp. (Goats can climb ladders... and... anything really).

But I am guessing that your ducks don't fly?

I am wondering if you could set up a PVC pipe feeder. The ports are pretty small. Both my chickens and muscovy use mine without problems. You would have to super strap it down though... so the goats couldn't knock it over or open the lid. But maybe building a PVC feeder into the wall of the coop? Then a locking carabiner on the lid?