Scottish Highlands

lonelyfarmgirl · #21 07/13/11, 07:22 PM

Sounds like to me you should opt for a polled breed.

Cannon_Farms · #22 07/13/11, 07:32 PM

if one wants or doesnt want horns should not determine if one should or should not own a certain breed. That would be like saying all I should raise is polled goats when thats shown to carry certain defects. Im not asking to show the heifer so I really am having a hard time understanding why the desire to remove horns is making it seem like I shouldnt own the breed.
I dont know of many dairy farmers that have horned Holsteins or Jerseys nor many cattlemen that prefer horns on their beef cows maybe thats why I dont see it as a big deal.
She will be family pet and hopefully give us additional milk.

ozark_jewels · #23 07/13/11, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon_Farms

Did you ever try and milk yours Emily? Shes been raised with the goat kids so Im comfortable putting her with my goats.

Mine were NOT friendly, so no I didn't try to milk them.LOL!!
Remember that the goats and cow should have different inside area, though shared outside area is fine. All it takes is one big cow hoof on any part of a goat or kid.........
Taking the horns off when young is not a problem and is done all the time on horned breeds. Just because you don't want horns, doesn't mean you shouldn't own the cow. "Highlands are a horned breed"?? Well, so are my Jerseys and Holstiens, but none of them have horns for very good reasons.

Cannon_Farms · #24 07/13/11, 08:53 PM

my kids are pulled in penned into a different area, and unless I win the lottery and get as many goats as I would like to have shell have enough room in the run in with the goats for now. My goat pasture now is going to become the buck run and were fencing in a few acres in the back for the does and a smaller pen up near the house for the kids this fall. Shes only 3 months old do you think she would be ok until fall with them? these are all big dairy does.

I can see now those long horns and her reaching back to swatt a fly and some one getting innocently hooked in the process. I have never been intentionally hurt by a horned goat but have had my fair share of bad bruises.

allenslabs · #25 07/13/11, 09:03 PM

I am an advocate for dehorning. I HATE horns on my critters as the goats get their head stuck places trying to reach for something they didn't really need to get to anyway and cows....you could be petting them and they go to harmlessly go after a fly and I just see me being in the way! LOL!