Taking care of goats is often enjoyable yet challenging. While rearing goats is quite a fun activity, as they are cute lovable creatures that are also quite hardy, they also give their owners some trouble.
Most of the time, after building a shelter and providing forage for goats to graze, goat owners can sit back and relax. However, this is not the case when night falls.
Goats are nocturnal creatures that want to eat around at night so they can stay well-fed throughout the next day. Knowing what to do when goats need light during nighttime will help ensure their wellbeing.
Goats derive their major source of energy from foraging. When they are provided with hay, grass or other forms of forage, this becomes their main source of food throughout the day. Goats can also survive eating vegetation during nighttime as long as it is available to them all the time.
How goats eat at night
Goats normally eat around at night since they are nocturnal animals. Thus, they need light at night so they can stay well-fed during the next day. If no lights are available for them to eat around at night, their owners need to provide them with hay or grass all day round.
The amount of food that goats take in depends on how much energy is needed by its body. When there is a lot of forage available, it is likely that goats will take in more food. However, when there are less nutritious plants available, they would only eat the necessary amount of food to stay healthy.
Goats tend to eat vegetation at night so they can stock up on nutrients during the next day when the weather is fine. Thus, if there is vegetation in the area, it is best to plant grass or hay for them to eat around at night.
Goats need light at night when there are fewer nutritious plants available for them to feed on. When the weather outside is unfavorable during nighttime, they will only eat what they really need so they can remain healthy.
A lot of goat owners either turn off the light in the shelter when night falls, or they leave it on, so their goats can eat vegetation at night.
If there are no lights available to allow the goat to feed on vegetation during nighttime, they would only eat hay or grass all day round until it is time for them to go back to their shelter.
For this particular aspect of rearing goats, there are certain details one needs to know. These details are primarily about a goat’s vision generally and if goats can see in the dark? If lights affect goats as they sleep? And if there are any dangers in leaving the light on all night for the goat to eat at night?
The answers to these questions might help you find out if lights need to be switched on when goats want to feed in the evening or switch off.
Goats’ eyesight and their sleep
A goat’s eyes are well-adapted for nighttime use, which is primarily due to its large pupil that allows more light to enter the eye during nighttime. In addition, a goat’s retina has a heightened sensitivity to low-intensity light as compared with humans.
Among the variety of herbivores that exist, the goat’s vision is seen as one of the best there is and the reason for that is the goat’s rectangle-like pupils.
The pupils in a goat’s eyes are shaped horizontally and this grant goats some amazing features.
The first and the most pertinent is a goat’s near 360 vision, thanks to their horizontal pupils, goats can see all around them at the same time.
Another nifty eye feature they have is how their eyes react to light.
Their eyes allow them to restrict light from entering their eyes, essentially controlling the amount of light that can enter their eyes. This translates to perfect vision, as well as averting blindness by the sun on any extra sunny day or during the time of day when the sun is at its peak.
When it comes to their day vision though, goats are not that good. Their eyesight is similar to the one in humans, yet it is more focused on seeing in the night rather than during daytime.
This means that when they are out grazing at nighttime, goats can see fairly well.
Goats control of the light getting into their eyes means they can regulate it and allow just the right amount into their eyes.
Their pupils can dilate and contract as well, like humans, which is why they can see fairly well even during the daytime. However, goats’ night vision is far superior compared to those who prefer daytime activities.
The downside of having such wonderful night vision is that it also means they might be sensitive to changes in light. This means that they might be more easily startled by sudden flashes of light during the night, which can prove to be dangerous for them
Goats’ area of sight at night is approximately 200 degrees, thanks to their horizontal rectangle-shaped pupils which gives them a nearly 360-degree view of their surroundings.
This is often attributed to living and evolving as prey, so their horizontal shaped eye is a defence mechanism against their predators.
Do Goats Need Light at Night?
Goats’ night vision is excellent and it entails them seeing almost equally well in daylight and darkness.
Their eyesight might be affected by sudden changes of light, such as flashes or strobe lights
However, their eyesight should not hinder the owner from switching on a light at night to allow his/her goat to feed on plants in the evening
The light might affect the goat’s eyesight, but this shouldn’t be an issue if you let it graze at night by switching on a light that helps illuminate your area of choice for grazing.
If you need to switch off the lights when feeding time is over, be sure to stop all electrical currents before
There are two often overlooked reasons why goats need lights and these are for protecting the goat and for providing warmth.
For Protection
The major reason why the lights should be left on at night is for the goat’s protection. People keep goats and other animals in their homes and it is important to remember that these animals rely on us for their safety and wellbeing.
While a goat’s vision is one of the best defence mechanisms they have as prey, goat’s are also light sleepers.
Being a prey animal, a goat is more likely to be in a state of heightened awareness and might be woken up by sudden changes, such as turning off the lights at night or opening the door leading to their pen.
If this happens, the goat might feel threatened and start to panic, looking for an escape route, running about and injuring itself in the process
For Warmth
Goats are extremely good at regulating their body temperature, however, it can still be a problem if they are left without proper shelter or warmth.
Because goats are slim, their body surface area is not as large as larger animals. This means that they have less ability to retain heat. So if goats are kept in cold conditions for too long, they might get hypothermia.
This condition can be fatal to the goat.
A nice way to help them out is by providing several heat sources around their shelter, one of which can be lights.
Leaving the lights on at night helps generate heat for the goat and it doesn’t really affect their night vision.
Alternatively, you can switch on lights during the day and keep them off at night to let the goat rest.
It is also best to keep heat lamps on so that they provide heat and light for the goats, but never use an open flame as this is very dangerous.
Final Thoughts
We have looked at the importance of goats needing lights at night. First, it is important for your protection and that of the goat’s.
Second, it is necessary if you want to ensure that goats are healthy and free from any form of illness or discomfort.
It does not really affect their night vision seeing as how they have excellent eyesight. However, this will depend on where you place their shelter at night.
The light should not be left on all the time, but rather switched on and off if needed to allow for rest periods. This is also for the welfare of your goat as it provides restful sleep that is essential to health.
