As part of our outdoor education programme all children from across the Trust have a chance to become involved in the care of our pygmy goats. The goats live in the allotment at Broadclyst Primary School and the care of them is shared amongst different classes each week and families at weekends. We have four goats, each with their own wonderful and distinct personalities.
Get to know our pygmy goats
Archie
You can recognise Archie by his blue collar. He's a super sweet goat who is wonderful with the younger children. He's gentle, approachable and most importantly doesn't headbutt. Some interesting facts about Archie is that he really loves apples and leaves but doesn't like the rain, so if it's a drizzly day and he's looking a bit glum you know why.
Albee
Albee is our most timid goat and he may be a bit shy to begin with, but perservere and he'll be a friend for life. Unlike Archie, Albee loves the rain so no matter the weather you'll find him playing outside. Albee's favourite food is carrot and he likes to munch on leaves as an appertiser.
Astrix
Astrix has boundless energy and has established himself as the dominant member of the herd. He's very energetic, heaps of fun but beware he can be a little rough and is prone to headbutting, so not the best goat to introduce younger children to. When we treat Astrix we feed him cauliflower, it's his favourite!
Arnie
You'll recognise Arnie by his stylish red collar. He's become a bit of a favourite for many children and staff because he is so friendly and loves to be stroked and taken for walks around the school field.
How to care for the goats
In this video Jane and Matt introduce you to our four pygmy goats and will give you a whirlwind tour of the allotment. They will show you where you can find everything that you need to keep the goats happy and healthy, from their food bin to their leads, if you want to take them for a walk.
*Please note that under guidance from the vets the goats are now on a diet of hay and a quarter of a cup of food from their food bin a day,
FAQs
I would love to get involved, what do I need to do?
I would love to get involved, what do I need to do?
We are always looking for more families to get involved in caring for our lovely pygmy goats. If you're interested please get in touch with Mr Allen explaining your connection to the school and he will get the ball rolling so that we can get a pass-card arranged and ensure you get added to the goats Facebook Group should you like to be.
Any tips on how we can get the goats back into they paddock?
Any tips on how we can get the goats back into they paddock?
There's no simple fix for this problem, goat herding is a fine art. However, we have put a lidded tin in the shed containing some food, try giving it a shake this may well fool them back in again.
Some of the goats are being a bit rough, any tips?
Some of the goats are being a bit rough, any tips?
Though our goats are generally a happy and playful bunch all animals can be a bit temperamental, but there's a lot we can do to encourage good behaviour. You mustn't run away from them, it's important that we don't let them think that they're boss! Instead we need to play with them, goats that are not handled often enough will become shy and poorly behaved. When visiting why not bring them a little treat, a carrot or some cucumber? They love games and as soon as they associate you with treats, they will play the “guess which hand” game with you, but be sure you start with the dominant one.
Of course we must be careful to ensure that smaller children are kept safe as even when they're being playful the boys can be quite strong.
There's things growing in the allotment won't the goats trample them?
There's things growing in the allotment won't the goats trample them?
They certainly will, or even better eat it! Starting just before Easter and through the summer term our children start to grow veggies and flowers in the allotment, therefore when letting the goats out could you please take them for walks in the field instead.
The goats ate some hand sanitiser, will they be ok?
The goats ate some hand sanitiser, will they be ok?
Don't worry the hand sanitiser won't hurt them, children could lick their fingers after using it and it wouldn't hurt them either. We wouldn't use anything harmful to children or animals here at Broadclyst School but wherever possible let's try and encourage them to eat their greens instead.