Kid creeps are a great way to provide kid-specific care while keeping larger goats away. This brief article details how and when to use one and includes photos of various iterations we’ve implemented on our farm.
What is a Kid Creep?
A kid creep is simply a space–a shelter, fenced area or any other area you create–that is inaccessible to adult goats. It allows kids to eat, shelter, play and rest safely. The primary, conventional use is borrowed from the cattle world where grain is free fed in a cow-proof area to encourage a fast growth of calves. We can adapt this concept for any number of uses in the goat world. I use mine as an area for kids when I separate them overnight during milking season. In the holistic framework, giving them an enjoyable, roomy space with all their creature comforts helps ease any stress of separation and indeed, kids come to relish their sacred spot in a way that brings to mind a child’s exclusive “Kids Only” treehouse.
Setting Up a Kid Creep
A kid creep can be as large or as small as you want. It should be large enough that when the doe reaches in from the entrance, she can’t reach the feed. You can accomplish this using a cattle panel across the corner of your existing space, or create a more elaborate option that is more like a mini barn. Your goals will determine what you need to put in it. Since I’m separating overnight, mine needs to have all of the things they would need to go 12 hours without their moms. While they’re sleeping for most of that time, they’re usually up several hours before I go out to milk, so I include:
- hay
- minerals
- water
- sleeping areas
- toys, such as Little Tykes toddler toys
- feed bowls for Chaffhaye or grain
I want them to have every comfort when they’re in there and I want it to be an enjoyable experience for them. They come to like it so much that they will often be found in there during the day as well, when the swinging kid-sized gate is latched open for free movement.
Even if you don’t separate for milking, giving the kids a safe space can help with other considerations:
- no competing with the big goats for the best hay parts
- no risk of crushing if sleeping with adults in a crowded space
- easier way to collect all the kids at once when needed
- safe place to feed supplements you may not want to feed the adults
- place to safely confine kids during milk test days
Getting Kids to Use a Kid Creep
The easiest way to get kids to use the kid creep is to put tasty food in there. I like to use Chaffhaye and will put a generous amount in bowls when I want to get them in for the night. They can snack on it at bedtime and have some left when they wake up. Small bits of grain can be useful here too. Once they’re all in, the door is closed and latched and they’re safely stowed away for the night. If you have no need to separate, you don’t need to ever close the door, but having one can be very helpful if ever you do need to separate for any reason.
You might also like my hand curated selection of goat bottle feeding supplies. You can see them here.
