What is Tethering for Goats?
Tethering refers to fastening an animal by a chain to a particular anchor point to confine it to a specific area. Sometimes, tethering serves as a fruitful method of limiting grazing farm animals, especially goats. It prevents them from getting injured or endangering their wellbeing under unfavorable conditions.
Is Tethering Good for Goats?
Not only goats, but all cattle should be tethered only when there are no other means of confinement available. Moreover, it should be done temporarily for brief periods. Tethered goats can become distressed if they remain isolated from conspecifics for a longer duration. Ideally, you should adopt a humane method of confining goats, such as a fenced paddock, if you intend to contain them permanently.
How to tether a goat
Before planning to tether your goats, it is essential to consider the following guidelines for safe and successful tethering:
- Tethered goats should be provided with adequate food, water, and shelter, primarily if the grass is the primary food source.
- Tethering should be done in a safe environment. Never tether goats in conditions where they might be exposed to extreme heat, driving rain, severe cold, or predators.
- Daily exercise must be ensured.
- It is better to train your goats for tethering before actually confining them.
- Chain tethers are better than rope as it may tangle, fray, or break.
- Do not tether goats having age under six months.
- The tethering area should not contain any poisonous plants, shrubs, or trees.
- Do change the tether anchoring point every 24 hours, at least. Goats may require two or more changes in a day.
Tethering Area Considerations
The tethering area should be dry and flat. It must not cross a footpath or close to a roadway where there might be fast-moving traffic. Please remember that goats get frightened easily, which is why the tethering area should not be nearby vehicles, noisy places, or people.
The must provide a sheltered area or natural protection to the goats to prevent exposure to hot, windy, or rainy weather. If natural protection is unavailable, try to create some form of shelter. The area must be free of obstructions that can cause the rope to get entangled or lead to injury. Choking is a significant hazard if entangling happens or when the goat jumps over obstacles.
Best Way to Tether Goats
Tying a Single Lead Rope to a Post
It is not a safe way to tether goats. The goat can wrap itself around the post because they get nervous after tethering and start walking around the post in circles.
Using a Swivel Post
This is a much better way for tethering goats. The swivel eliminates the risk of goats wrapping around the post. You also won’t need to unwrap the goat repeatedly.
Run Length Line between Two Posts
The post-to-post system is one of the best methods of tethering goats. What you need to do is mark two spots A and B on a terrain where you want your goat to browse. Ideally, there should be 100 feet gap between both the posts. Dig a deep hole at each point as the anchor.
Now take a braided steel cable, also called airline cable, and cable clamps. Tie the cord and fasten it with the clump around a can or bucket and bury it inside the hole. Let it dry for some time before allowing the goats to roam around. Don’t make the cable too taut.
