Here is just one of the pictures of the damage. This is the plum tree. Some goats (pics of the guilty party in yesterday's post) got loose from a neighbors property and feasted on some of our fruit trees, being small enough to slip in under the fishing line. Or maybe they just don't spook as easily as deer do when they touch the line.
I spoke with 2nd Family and it turns out they were struck as well. They didn't know they had made it down to our end so they hadn't checked our trees (and they are on the backside of the house and not visible from the front). The goats ate one of their rose bushes to the ground, all of their strawberries, some garden plants and herbs and branches from their apple tree too!
They got the goats rounded up and back through the fence and then temporarily patched it. They called the neighbor and told him and he said he'd be out the next day to fix it. He didn't. They called two more times and he still didn't fix it. So they called the sheriff and the sheriff called the neighbor.
He came and fixed the fence.
No more goats.
We hope.
Honestly in the years out there, we've never had any of this neighbor's animals make it through the fence so hopefully this was a one off moment. This weekend, I'm going to check the fence along our part of the property line just to make sure.
It's always something.
Now send your neighbor a bill for the damages. You know that goats will jump that fence, don't you?
ReplyDeleteYeah I'd like to send a bill but I'd be hard pressed to figure an amount. Nothing was destroyed and the trees should bounce back. I'll keep an eye on them. And they've been over there for a few years now and we've never had them in the yard. Apparently they got through up at the front of their property where 2nd Family is and then travelled down the driveway to us, ugh. Fingers crossed.
DeleteHe wouldn’t fix the fence until the sheriff was called?!! So irresponsible of him! Hoping the goats stay in their pasture from now on.
ReplyDeleteYep, sad huh? I don't think we want to engage too much with him (so as not to ruffle feathers) but we'll definitely keep an eye on things.
DeleteI doubt they can be kept out at this point. I would send a bill for damages. This neighbor is going to be trouble as it seems he does not care. He should have been calling you and offering to make amends.
ReplyDeleteWe're going to watch and we have 2nd Family really keeping an eye out for us (and themselves too). Yeah he's owned it since before we bought our part but this is the first time there's been an issue. I hope it works out for the best but we shall see.
DeleteSend a bill for the damages, but how do you itemize damages to an apple tree? Will it be for replacement of the tree of the same size? Good fences make good neighbors, and maybe you want to consider fencing in your yard?
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's a tough one, a value. We are considering fencing around the house and yard once we upgrade the house and invest in some landscaping etc. Good fences/Good neighbors, we'll have to remember that, ha. Thanks!!!
DeleteTo me; maybe your neighbor should / might consider on putting up an electric fence or a more sturdy fence that the goats can't jump over. Goats; like deer will jump over a weak / bad fence if not high enough. Once they know they can get out; they will continue to do so if not properly contained. They figure the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
ReplyDeleteAt least they didn't strip your garden area.
Yep, I think they wouldn't be able to get into the garden but who knows. Although there IS one raised bed full of weeds they could have at that if they wanted, ha. Heck we might put electric around our valuable parts.
DeleteI do not have, but really want to get goats someday. In my research I have learned they are Houdini-like in their ability to escape confinement! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWe're reading that as well. We do love goats they are adorable and these guys/gals were just doing what they do so we won't blame them, it's their irresponsible owner.. Thanks, stay tuned!
DeleteThere you go 1st Man; put up a 'NO Goat Crossing' sign up, but then the goats wouldn't pay no bit of attention to the sign anyway. May need a 'No Cattle Crossing' sign up as well. :}
ReplyDeleteGoat sign. https://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-goats-have-no-manners-funny-sign-image31712549
Oh now that's a neat sign, LOL. Like I said in previous comment we won't hold it against them but yes, they have no manners, ha. We'll need 'no deer' 'no cows' and now 'no goats', ha.
DeleteWith the neighbor being so irresponsible and the goats being so determined, you may have to resort to putting up your own fencing. I read that you would need a fence 5 feet high to keep out goats. The fence needs to be comprised of squares no larger than 4-inch squares. Shockingly, 10 goats can clear an acre in one month!
ReplyDeleteAs for your other visitors, to keep out deer, the fence needs to be at least 8 feet high.
5 feet? Wow. Thanks for that info. An acre? Holy cow!!! I wonder if he'd rent them out we have some areas I'd like cleared, LOL!
DeleteWe had goats for over 12 years - if there is a way, they have the will - ALWAYS!! It didnt matter how much/well we fed them, it was always better on the other side of the fence - jerks!! Can't tell you how many times I had to cut a baby goats head out of the field fence - they know how to get through the squares to get that other-side grass, but be damned if they could get back through to mama - and then stand their and scream until I got them free again - JERKS! Never bothered our roses or strawberries? Usually went for the corn stalks and lower branches of fruit trees. They never broke our branches on the trees, just stripped the leaves off. They are very tenacious and determined - and you are right - - once they get out they will attempt to do it again, and again, and again - - - BIG JERKS! If your neighbor will not take responsibility for them, I suggest extra protection on your side. FYI - electric fence does not work - they are too sneaky(ok, stupid) and we have even seen them run right through it, barley phased. Field fence is your best bet. We put mini-garden pens around our best trees. Used wood & field fence then planted flowers at the base of the trees so they look like tiny individual gardens. We also cheat on our expenses. We have a local farmers auction so we can pick up used materials (like the field fence) very cheap. Good luck keeping the monsters out!
ReplyDelete