Tethered Feeding Goats
Feeding time with rowdy goats can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. This guide will show you how tethered feeding goats can keep everyone calm and create a safer, more enjoyable routine for everyone—yourself included.
Raising dairy goats should be a rewarding experience, and with a few tips, you can make it happen, giving you confidence whenever you are near your herd.
Raising dairy goats is a lot like raising a herd of toddlers. They are loving, easily distracted, determined (boy, are they determined!), curious, and ALWAYS HUNGRY.
When I first started raising goats, whenever I went into the main pat feed time, I was pummeled by a hungry, rowdy herd who were understandably excited by the food I was carrying.
I realized very early on that feeding this way allowed certain unruly goats to get most of the food as they ran from bowl to bowl, gobbling things up just as quickly as they could. This was an even bigger problem if I needed to feed a specific diet to goats that were in milk or about to kid.
Thinking about getting goats but don’t know where to start? This Raising Goats for Beginners guide will help you build a happy, healthy herd.
One day, I came across a website called Fiasco Farm. While browsing through their articles, I noticed a unique feeding setup they used. They would actually take all their goats out of the main pen, tether them to a rail in the aisle, and feed each one individually. Each goat stood quietly in their designated spot, eating their food.
I couldn’t believe it! Those dairy goats stood there so calm and collected, just waiting for their turn to eat. It was a striking image.
But here’s the thing—it was just a photo. There wasn’t a detailed guide or explanation on how they made this work. Without instructions to follow, I eventually clicked away and forgot all about it.
As I started leaning more on herbal nutrition for my animals, it became clear I needed a way to feed my dairy goats individually. To make things even trickier, I ended up with a few incredibly rowdy goats in my herd.
Feeding time quickly turned into a battle, and I knew I had to find a safer, better solution. What I needed was a way to handle those unruly goats without risking injury while also tailoring diets for the ones that needed extra care.
That’s when I remembered that unique feeding system I had seen before. I went back to that site and told myself, “I’m going to figure this out.” I was determined to teach my unruly herd to eat calmly and peacefully.
Little did I know, making the switch would turn out to be so much easier than I thought!
From nutrition to timing, there’s a lot to consider before breeding goats. It’s time to Prepare Your Goats for Breeding Season.
Tethered Feeding Goats
Setting up tethered feeding for your goats is surprisingly simple, especially if you have a somewhat open area for it. But don’t worry if you don’t. You can easily adapt by using a sturdy fence, the exterior wall of your goat shelter, or even stakes securely driven into the ground.
Want to learn even more tips for managing your goats? Grab your FREE Goat Training Guide below!
Step 1. Pick an Open area
The most important part of this tethered goat feeding system is to choose a spot that will work for feeding this way. Understandably it will be different depending on your set up but, but the good news is that almost any arrangement can be adjusted to make it work.
Our barn is a shed that we converted into a goat barn with a center section of stalls and two communal herd pens on each side. I use the center stalls for birthing, kidding, quarantine, and sick care. These stalls have sturdy support posts that work great to securely keep the leads in place.
Step 2. Tethers, ties, or leads
When setting up a feeding area for your goats, it’s important to use strong, durable ties to keep them secure.
I’ve had great success with goat leads made from sturdy materials. Look for ones that are around 11-12 inches long. This length gives your goats enough freedom to eat comfortably while ensuring they don’t feel trapped.
Whatever type of tether or strap you choose, make sure it’s made of high-quality, durable material. This will keep your goats safe and securely in place.
Step #3. Eye bolts
You will want to have a strong attachment to keep the leads securely in place. I was a bit leery about this part since my goats had never been tethered before. My goal was to have something that would hold them so they could not get loose and hurt themselves or the other goats.
We opted to use steel eye bolts that were 1″. Not only where they easy to install they have been working perfectly for years now.
We chose a height that was comfortable for each of our goats and spaced the leads far enough apart so that one goat couldn’t bother another while they were eating.
To make screwing in the eye bolt easier, we drilled a small starter hole at each site first.
Step #4. Attach the leads to the eye bolts
Slip the lead into the opening end of the eye bolt. Depending on the thickness you may need to widen the opening. You can do this with a vice and a steel pry bar or in place as we did in the image below.
Cold nights and freezing water bowls? Find out How to Keep Goats Warm in the Winter.
Be sure to only widen the opening slightly, just enough to fit the lead into the eye bolt. If you overdo it, the lead might slip out while your goats are feeding, which could cause problems.
Watch the Spacing
Continue setting up eye bolts and leads being aware of the spacing. Pay attention to both height and distance when tethered feeding your goats. It’s essential to avoid any tension on the leads that could stress or scare them.
If your rowdy goats feel uneasy, earning back their trust can be a real challenge. Keeping the setup comfortable and secure from the start will make things easier for both you and your goats.
EUCARLOS 10 Pack 3.2 Inches Screw Eyes, Heavy Duty Screw in Eye Hooks for Securing Cables Wires, Self Tapping Screws Eye Bolts for Indoor & Outdoor UseOmniPet Cotton Dog Training Lead for Dogs, 10′, Green
Little Giant® Plastic Mini Feeder | Fence Feeder | Goat Feeder | Durable & Mountable Bucket for Livestock | Made in USA | 6 Quart | Blue
Step #5. Introduce one goat at a time
If you don’t often work hands-on with your goats, they might feel a little hesitant the first few times you guide them out. Stay patient and keep your cool—being calm will help them feel at ease too. Oh, and pro tip, a few animal crackers in your hand can work wonders.
Training Checklist
Use this quick list for any new goats you are training to feed this way. At feed time, calmly walk each goat to their specific lead and bowl. Be sure to use a calm soothing voice as you walk.
- Place the first feed bowl next to the tether.
- Walk the goat to their bowl and wait for them to settle and begin eating.
- Secure the lead to their collar.
- Place the next feed bowl out and lead the next goat to that spot and tether them in place.
- Repeat for the rest of the herd until everyone is in place.
Notice I did not put all the feed bowls out at once that’s because I want my goats to be led by the food and having more than one bowl out will confuse and distract them. One bowl, one spot, one goal.
SLCG Pro Tip: If you are not comfortable using collars on your goats, you can find safe break-away collars like the ones I use here. These are surprisingly heavy-duty yet will break if a goat is caught in a dangerous situation.
This consistent routine teaches your goats that they are walking to food. Goats are extremely intelligent and will learn quickly what is expected of them.
Since our goats are on individual diets, we have our feed bowls labeled to keep things organized. This allows us to fully customize the diets of each goat and ensure they are getting the calories need for their growth and health.
Step #6. Stay Close and Keep Watch
After everyone has settled in and is calm eating, don’t rush off. For at least the first few days, stay with your goats during feeding time. If one of them gets spooked, you’ll need to act quickly to prevent a stressful chain reaction.
If something does happen, calmly walk over, give the goat some gentle pets, and soothe them until they feel comfortable enough to return to eating. Your presence will help build their confidence and keep the environment peaceful.
Step #7. Take the Time to do Chores
Once you goats are adjusted to the new routine you can use this time to do a few chores in the main pen area.
- Fill hay feeders.
- Spot clean soiled areas.
- Fill water bowls.
- Replenish mineral feeders.
- Add fresh bedding if needed.
Step #8. Return Your Goats
When everyone is finished eating, escort each goat back to the main pen or pasture. By restocking the hay areas your goats will gladly return so they can get to the filled areas.
Again, showing them that the mineral area or hay feeders are full will encourage them to go where they need to.
You might be amazed at how quickly your goats catch on to what’s expected of them. With some consistency, they’ll soon walk to their designated area without needing you to lead them. When food or hay is involved, even the most stubborn goats will learn to cooperate with minimal fuss.
Step #9. Work With Those Who Need It
If you still have rowdy goats that need a little extra guidance, don’t lose hope. Just keep practicing—walk them, encourage them, and stay patient. Before long, they’ll be heading straight to their feed bowls, no problem at all.
That said, this feeding method might not work well for large bucks or overly energetic goats that could pose a danger to you or themselves. Always use good judgment and start with goats that have a calmer temperament. Once you’ve mastered training these goats, you can move on to the bigger or more determined members of the herd.
Remember, patience is your best tool.
Staying calm and composed will make it easier for even the most challenging goats to understand what’s expected of them. With time and persistence, you’ll have a well-trained herd and a feeding routine that works like a charm.
Safety should always be a top priority when raising livestock. Think and plan, and you will set yourself and your homestead up for success.
Whether you are brand new to dairy goats or have been at this a while, a caring, hands-on approach is always the way to go. From day one, spend time with your goats and show them that you’re their source of food and care.
This consistency will help build their trust and create a strong, positive bond between you and your herd.
Having a routine for feeding your goat herd is good for keeping your goats calm and everyone involved safe. Tethered feeding your goats will help you to stay on top of everyone’s health and diet while keeping your barn running smoothly at feeding time.
READ: HOW TO GET DELICIOUS TASTING GOAT MILK
More Goat Care Resources:
Tethered Goat Feeding: The Easy and Stress-Free Way
Want a hassle-free way to feed your goats? Tethered feeding keeps things orderly and makes sure that each goat gets the nutrition they need.
Materials
- Goat Leads (11-12 inches)
- 1” Steel Eye Bolts
- Heavy-Duty Screws
- Feed Bowls or Troughs
- Hay Feeders
- Fence Panels or Gates
- Fresh Bedding
Tools
- Drill
- Screwdriver or Wrench
- Measuring Tape
- Vice Grip
- Bucket or Feed Scoop
- Wire Cutters
- Broom or Shovel
Instructions
- Choose a feeding spot that works best for your setup. Whether you have a barn or a shed-turned-goat barn, make sure that there are secure posts to attach the leads.
- Get durable goat leads around 11 to 12 inches long. This length allows your goats to eat comfortably while staying secure.
- Use sturdy 1” steel eye bolts to attach the leads. Drill a small starter hole before installation to make screwing them in easier and to keep the leads firmly in place.
- Slip the lead through the eye bolt and slightly widen the opening if needed. Space them appropriately to prevent goats from interfering with each other while eating.
- Guide each goat to its designated feeding spot with a calm voice and a food bowl as a guide. Goats are smart and will quickly learn where to go.
- Observe feeding for the first few days to make sure goats are comfortable and not stressed.
- While goats are eating, take the opportunity to clean pens, refill water, add fresh bedding, or stock mineral feeders.
- Once feeding is done, lead each goat back to the main pen or pasture. Filling hay feeders can encourage them to move on without resistance.
- If some goats struggle with the routine, be patient and stay consistent.
Notes
- If your goats have never been tethered before, start with short sessions before moving to full mealtime.
- If you have a mix of dominant and passive goats, don’t place them too close together. Giving each goat a little extra space prevents tension and ensures everyone eats in peace.
- If you’re introducing young goats to tethered feeding, start as early as possible. The sooner they learn the system, the easier it will be to maintain as they grow.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This is so inspiring and I’m really excited to try this. Can I ask how you manage to lead just one goat at a time? We have the “rowdy” goat scenario during feeding time and I’m trying imagine how I keep all of them from following while I lead one to their tether. Thanks for this post, and any additional info!
Yes, that part is a bit tricky in the beginning. My son actually helped me the first few times until my goats learned the order. We started with our rowdiest goat which he led to the door so I could get her our and setup and we continued this way until everyone was in place. After a few days, the goats new the order and yes there were still some trying to “jump in line” but not bad enough that I couldn’t do it myself.
Hope this helps!
Tracy Lynn