I am really starting to to get annoyed with these wild goats

XCricketX · #21 04/10/08, 01:55 PM

I have 2 that I'm currently trying to tame. 1 that WAS tame and decided to pick up on the other's bad habits and not come near for me to pet them. So, I've separated the herd into nice ones vs. naughty.

So they are both in a stall together, and I've been offering a little bite of treats here and there. Just going about my chores, and not noticing them until they "ask" for something. They've been getting to where they let me pet them again, but it sure is taking a LONG TIME! I just love on them and tell them how pretty and good they are... even when they are not so good.

Last time, I got this same problem doe tame by putting her in with the chickens for a little while... that sure did straighten her up quick! But sadly, it didn't last because I put her back in the big pen too soon, where she has more room to get away (I was worried about the chickens and possible diseases too)... so I'm doing it this way for a bit, then I'm going to sell or trade her out. I've been tempted to keep her now that I know her momma can milk a gallon a day at early freshening.. but if she doesn't get tame and STAY tame this time... I will let her go as I do not have the time to take away from the other good ones.

Hope yours do well for you soon!

Cricket

jBlaze · #22 04/10/08, 02:09 PM

Absolutely true about chaseing!!! If you are going to catch them, you must do it without having to chase them. I wail till mine hide under the feeders and I grab a leg. Thanks you for making that point Mygoat.

dixiegal62 · #23 04/10/08, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mygoat

I would've pulled babies and bottle raised them, then probably sold the mothers unless they were super stock.

I personally don't 'sit' with untame goats, because then they only trust you while you're sitting down. As soon as you stand up, you're evil again and they are off running. I tend to go about my chores daily with treats in my pockets (I use this mostly on dam raised kids) and if one comes up close to me, I pass it a treat or a pet. Once they realize I'm not simply out there to bother them - that I'm feeding them, going about my own business - they come to get used to me and trust me.

I won't have extremely nervous goats on hand, because if they need to be treated/vaccinated/handled, I can't catch or trust them.

My advice is to NEVER EVER EVER chase them, no matter what. That will undo all you've ever done, and enforce to those goats that you are evil, lol. No matter that all you're catching them to do is to pet them - they won't remember the niceness, they'll remember the terror of being chased.

I wish I had thought about bottle feeding them but I didnt. I will be glad when I can get them away from their moms though. How long do they have to stay their moms?