Goats are one of the most entertaining and energetic animals on a farm, often keeping themselves busy with climbing, jumping, head-butting, and exploring their surroundings. If you own goats, you already know that these playful creatures need stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Without proper enrichment, goats can become bored and develop behavioral issues, such as chewing on fences, excessive jumping, or even becoming agitated. Fortunately, providing your goats with toys and activities that keep them entertained doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult.
In this blog post, we will share nine inexpensive goat toys and activities that can help provide mental and physical stimulation. From DIY options you can make at home to simple, affordable toys you can buy, these ideas will ensure that your goats stay happy, healthy, and engaged.
1. Hanging Ball Toys: Simple and Engaging
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to entertain your goats is by hanging a ball in their pen. Goats are naturally curious and playful, and they love batting and chasing balls. You can use rubber balls, plastic balls, or even a combination of old soccer balls or basketballs, as long as they are sturdy enough to withstand the goat’s curiosity.
To set this up, simply hang the ball from a rope, chain, or string from a tree branch, a fence post, or a sturdy overhead structure in the goat’s pen. The idea is to create a moving target that your goats can try to push, head-butt, or nudge. The movement of the ball can spark their natural play instincts, providing hours of entertainment as they try to catch or move it.
Why It Works:
- It’s inexpensive, as you can repurpose old balls.
- It encourages physical activity and play, which is great for their overall health.
- It also helps develop problem-solving skills as they figure out how to interact with the ball.
Where to Find It: You can find rubber balls or plastic balls at pet stores, online retailers, or even check your garage for old soccer or basketballs that can be recycled into goat toys.
2. PVC Pipe Maze: Mental Stimulation and Exploration
Goats are intelligent animals and love exploring new spaces. A PVC pipe maze can provide both mental and physical stimulation. The idea behind a PVC maze is simple – you create a maze-like structure using PVC pipes, allowing the goats to navigate through twists, turns, and tunnels to reach a goal (such as a treat at the end).
This can be a DIY project that’s both fun to create and easy to set up. You can start by laying out PVC pipes on the ground and securing them in place to form a simple pathway. If you’re feeling more creative, you can also create tunnels and vertical structures that the goats will need to climb through and over. Adding treats or small food rewards throughout the maze can encourage them to keep exploring and interacting with the structure.
Why It Works:
- It provides mental stimulation and problem-solving opportunities for your goats.
- It encourages exploration and natural curiosity.
- It’s inexpensive to make using affordable PVC pipes.
Where to Find It: PVC pipes can be found at most hardware stores. For a more intricate maze, you may need to invest in additional materials or fasteners, but the cost remains quite low.
3. DIY Hay Ball: A Fun Way to Eat and Play
A hay ball is a simple and inexpensive toy that also serves as a feeder. By creating a DIY hay ball, you’ll provide your goats with an interactive way to enjoy their favorite snack while keeping them engaged. The idea behind this toy is to stuff hay inside an empty plastic bottle or a similar container with small holes cut out.
To make your own hay ball, take an empty plastic bottle or container (a large water bottle or soda bottle works well) and cut several small holes in it. Next, stuff the bottle with hay. The goats will then have to work at getting the hay out through the holes. This turns a regular feeding time into an exciting and stimulating activity.
Why It Works:
- It’s a great way to encourage goats to work for their food, which can slow down their eating and make mealtime more engaging.
- It provides physical activity as they nudge and roll the hay ball around.
- It’s a low-cost option that uses materials you probably already have on hand.
Where to Find It: You can make this toy with any plastic bottle that has a secure lid or cap, which you may already have lying around. Alternatively, you can use plastic containers from food or other items.
4. Tire Swing: A Climbing and Bouncing Adventure
Goats are natural climbers, and they love to jump and play on different surfaces. One great way to provide them with hours of entertainment is by giving them a tire swing. A tire swing can be an exciting plaything, allowing your goats to jump on and off it, swing, or climb on top of it. You can hang the tire from a tree, a fence post, or a sturdy structure in the pen.
Tire swings provide goats with a physical outlet for their energy, allowing them to climb and jump. Goats tend to love this, especially when they are able to jump on the tire and see how high they can go or try to balance on top of it.
Why It Works:
- It encourages climbing and jumping, which are natural behaviors for goats.
- It’s an interactive toy that can engage goats for hours.
- Tires are often available for free or at very low cost.
Where to Find It: Used tires can be found at local tire shops, or you may already have one lying around. If not, check with local repair shops or recycling centers for free or inexpensive options.
5. Cardboard Boxes: Simple and Fun
Cardboard boxes are an incredibly simple and cost-effective way to provide your goats with hours of entertainment. Goats love head-butting, climbing, and even chewing on cardboard. When you place a cardboard box in their enclosure, they will often climb inside, chew on it, or roll it around. Some goats even enjoy hiding in boxes or jumping on top of them.
You can use boxes of different sizes and types, depending on what you have available. Large appliance boxes (such as those from a refrigerator or washing machine) are perfect for creating forts or tunnels for your goats to explore. Be sure to remove any tape or staples that could pose a safety hazard to your goats.
Why It Works:
- It’s free or extremely low-cost, especially if you recycle old boxes.
- It encourages climbing and exploration.
- Goats love chewing on cardboard, which can also help with dental health.
Where to Find It: You can find large cardboard boxes at local grocery stores, retail stores, or ask friends and family for any extra boxes they may have. Recycling centers may also have boxes available for free.
6. Tree Branches and Logs: Natural Play Structures
Goats are natural climbers, and providing them with tree branches and logs is one of the easiest ways to keep them entertained. You don’t need to purchase anything for this activity – just gather a few branches, logs, or tree stumps and place them in the goat pen.
Goats love to climb and jump on these structures. You can create an obstacle course with logs placed horizontally, branches to jump over, or stumps to climb on. The addition of natural materials like wood also makes the play structures look more aesthetically pleasing and blend well with your goat’s natural habitat.
Why It Works:
- It’s a natural and low-cost option to encourage climbing and physical activity.
- It provides a more natural environment for your goats.
- Goats enjoy chewing on tree branches and logs, which can help keep their teeth clean.
Where to Find It: If you have trees on your property, you likely already have fallen branches or logs that can be repurposed. You can also ask neighbors or local tree-cutting services for wood that might otherwise be discarded.
7. Treat Dispensers: Interactive Snack Time
Treat dispensers are excellent for providing mental stimulation while also giving your goats a tasty treat. A treat-dispensing toy can be something as simple as a hollow plastic ball or a wooden block with holes drilled into it. You fill the toy with a treat (such as goat-friendly grains, pellets, or vegetables), and the goats have to figure out how to get the food out.
This activity encourages problem-solving, which is great for their mental well-being. Additionally, it extends the fun of eating treats, turning mealtime into an interactive game. Treat dispensers can come in various sizes and shapes, depending on your goats’ needs and preferences.
Why It Works:
- It encourages mental stimulation and problem-solving.
- It turns feeding into a fun and interactive game.
- It helps slow down eating, reducing the risk of overeating.
Where to Find It: Treat dispensers can be found at many pet stores or online. However, you can also make your own using simple items like plastic bottles, PVC pipes, or wooden blocks.
8. Bouncy Balls: Fun and Active Play
Bouncy balls are another great toy that will keep your goats engaged. Large rubber balls (like those used for yoga or exercise) are durable enough to withstand rough play and can be a lot of fun for goats. Goats love to chase and push the ball around, watching it bounce and roll. This offers an excellent opportunity for exercise and play, which is great for their overall health.
The bouncing and rolling action of the ball will keep your goats entertained and encourage them to run, jump, and play, making it a fun way for them to burn off some energy.
Why It Works:
- It provides physical activity and promotes healthy exercise.
- It engages your goats in active play.
- Large rubber balls are affordable and durable.
Where to Find It: Exercise balls or bouncy balls can be found at many big-box retailers, online stores, or sporting goods stores. Some second-hand stores also offer them at a low cost.
9. Old Cowbells: Noisy and Entertaining
Goats love making noise, and an old cowbell can provide just the kind of entertainment they crave. These bells make a distinctive sound when moved or bumped, and goats are often intrigued by the noise. You can hang the bell inside their pen or tie it to a rope that they can pull or bat at.
Not only will they enjoy playing with the bell, but the sound it makes also keeps them entertained. You can even use multiple bells to create a little “sound station” that your goats can interact with.
Why It Works:
- Goats are naturally curious about sounds, and the cowbell provides an auditory stimulus.
- It’s an inexpensive toy if you already have an old bell.
- It offers both visual and auditory stimulation for your goats.
Where to Find It: If you don’t have an old cowbell lying around, you can usually find one at thrift stores, antique shops, or online marketplaces. If you don’t want to buy a bell, consider making your own from other materials.
Final Thoughts: Affordable Entertainment for Your Goats
Entertaining goats doesn’t have to be expensive. With a little creativity, you can provide your goats with hours of entertainment and mental stimulation using inexpensive materials and simple DIY projects. Whether you’re repurposing items you already have or finding affordable toys in stores, your goats will love the attention and engagement these toys provide.
By investing in low-cost toys and activities that encourage climbing, jumping, problem-solving, and playing, you’ll not only keep your goats happy but also help them stay physically and mentally healthy. Keep your goats busy and entertained with these 9 inexpensive goat toys!
