Odd doe behavior

[dk_40207]

Our two nubian does(who did not come from the same farm) seem to be doing something new. The younger doe(Jane doe) is laying down acting fine, the older doe (nuzzles) stands next to her and puts her head down so that the top of her head is laying into jane does' shoulder area(so you can't see nuzzle's face).
I saw this yesterday, and thought is was just a goofy way for nuzzles to fall asleep...but DH came it today and told me she was doing it again. Now I'm not sure what to think.
One thing I noticed yesterday when she was doing this, was that when another goat walked close by, nuzzles whomped her good with her head...kinda like "STAY AWAY FROM US!". I thought it was odd, because I had thought she was sleeping
Nuzzles tends to be very motherly...if a goat is ill, she stays with them. Jane Doe is not acting ill, though
Anyone seen this before?

[goatkid]

Is Nuzzles your herd queen? I don't have goats doing exactly what yours are doing, but I do have does who are buddies and will exclude other goats from their clique. They tend to be in similar age groups such as your two does are.

[dezeeuwgoats]

I think they made friends - goats are very affectionate with each other. Enjoying their new friendship is my guess.

Niki

[dk_40207]

That's sweet! And kinda snobish! There isn't a herd queen right now. I know that's strange, but it seems that they are still fighting for the title! Jane Doe seems to be in the top three running for the title, though.
Thanks!

[dk_40207]

DH says that he thinks that nuzzles IS the herd queen, and the rest of them are continually fighting to keep their place in the "pecking order". I stand corrected! Nuzzles doesn't ever fight with anyone, and she is never challanged by anyone, either. She is the "caring" "motherly" one, too.

[Jillis]

My very first three goats, a Nubian and 2 Alpines, are all the Herd Queen together. Chyrsanthemum is really only included by virtue of original relationship, as she is ordinarily a smaller, shyer doe. But big bossy Esmerelda and Serafina and she are all bonded. I put out 2 equal troughs and those three hogs have one whole trough to themselves, while 7 other goats crowd around the other. Then when they've picked out their favorite stuff, the chase the other girls away from the other trough just to be sure there is now of the "good stuff" left.

My mama ND is sooo sweetly affectionate with her yearling doelings...they nuzzle, cuddle, kiss...so sweet!