Goat Checkers are the goats' friendly protectors, but their role is far from casual. While volunteers will enjoy spending time with the goats, they also take on a crucial responsibility for their care. Each Goat Checker is required to check on the goats once a day. At Moraine Woods we are asking volunteers to check goats between 11 AM and 1 PM. While things often go smoothly, when problems arise—such as a fence malfunction or a sick goat—it can require significant effort or present a potential danger to the animals. This role is not just about spending time with the goats; it’s a serious responsibility that demands reliability, attention to detail, and a commitment to the well-being of the animals. We depend on Goat Checkers to ensure the goats remain safe, healthy, and properly cared for.
Goat Welfare Checklist
Frequency
of Checks:
At Moraine Woods, the goat herder contractor is spending several hours on site daily. Goats should be checked by volunteers midday here, if possible.
Daily Checks:
- Patrol the Entire Fence:
- Ensure the fence is intact and that no branches are leaning against it.
Check the Fence Energizer:
- Ensure the battery and energizer are working properly and that the connections are secure.
Refill the Water Tub:
- Parks staff will keep a tank or jugs of water on-site to refill the water tub.
Check the Goats' General Health:
- Goats should be walking around and eating or resting. They are usually all doing the same thing at the same time.
- Look for any signs of distress, illness, or injury (e.g., limping, bleeding, panting, or lying still/unconscious when others are active).
Check for Warning Signs:
- Ensure “Caution: electric fence” signs are posted at each place where people will first encounter the fence.
- Signs should be placed at the
corners of a paddock adjacent to a trail or where the paddock crosses a
trail.
Emergency Contact Information:
To report an escaped goat, call:
- Park Rangers: (608) 235-0448 or the contractors listed below
In case of emergencies (e.g., injured or sick goats, large fence failure, or several escaped goats), call:
Loading Land & Livestock (Moraine Woods)
- Gabriel (608) 940-6407
For updates or general questions, call Hannah Quinlan at:
- (608) 267-4918
Bonus: How to Determine When Goats are Done Grazing a Unit
- A key indicator that the goats are done grazing is when they have eaten all the leaves off the raspberries. They usually clean up the foliage of woody species first.
- They often leave buckthorn re-sprouts within six inches of the ground but should have stripped the rest of the buckthorn stems.
- They won't eat poplar and only reluctantly eat Virginia creeper, so if there is still any green in the pen, they won’t starve before the contractor arrives to move them
- They won't eat poplar and only reluctantly eat Virginia creeper, so if there is still any green in the pen, they won’t starve before the contractor arrives to move them.
