I have a year old pygmy/alpine cross doe that I picket. This afternoon I noticed her scraping the grass until there was a bare spot, then lying on it. I know dogs will do this when it is hot, but it's only 65 and she's in the shade. She also was eating some of the dirt, actually just sort of nibbling very little. So she is probably looking for minerals? She is on a complete goat feed (Buckeye brand) also hay, fresh grass and browse. Any reason she is doing this? Thanks for any insight.

-- Tricia (rosie71@alltel.net), April 12, 2002

Answers

Is she bred? All my does start "nesting" before birth. A couple of mine have a special spot that they keep cleared of all vegetation. Know it's nappy time when they head to thier favorite tree with the dirt hollow.

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), April 12, 2002.

My opinion would be she's looking for minerals. I know you give her a complete goat feed but she may need extra minerals or salt. Maybe trying to put out a loose goat/sheep mineral would solve the problem. Our Alpines used to lick up some of the loose minerals and would end up looking like they had a moustache.:) We always used the loose type, had been told by 'old-timers' that they prefer them to the blocks. One thing; use goat/sheep minerals not cattle minerals. There's copper and other things that aren't good/safe for goats in the cattle version. We even put out a pan for the wild deer after we saw them nibling the dirt. They are eating the minerals so it must have been what they were after in the dirt. Goats are a cousin to deer so it makes sense that the deer would like the minerals too. Hope this helps. Kathy

-- Kathy Aldridge (beckoningwinds@yahoo.com), April 12, 2002.

Nope, poor old spinster!! No bucks in the area. She's the only goat.

-- Tricia (rosie71@alltel.net), April 12, 2002.

All my girls like to "paw" the ground before they lie down. Makes a nice "clean" spot. lol

-- mary (mlg@mlg.com), April 12, 2002.

It was my understanding that goats needed copper in amounts that would kill sheep, so sheep feed was incomplete for goats, and goat feed was poison for sheep. However, I am not a goat expert - was I wrong?

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), April 12, 2002.

Don!!!! You have been listening! Great answer :) Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (Nubians) (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 13, 2002.