Tips for taming a goat?

[DixyDoodle]

Two goats here now! My buck is a very happy camper now because the new arrival is a Nubian doe.

However, she is pretty skittish and not handled a lot. I admit to buying her regardless of this because my poor little buck hasn't had a friend for 3 weeks or more and I figured, ah heck, if she doesn't eventually tame up, I can always sell her. Maybe a get a few kids out of her before that time.

I've tried hand feeding her sweet feed, carrots, and apples. Nope, she takes a quick sniff and gets out of range. She does show interest when I hand feed BillyBob, the buck, though. So maybe she will come around with that.

Does anyone have any treats that are totally irresistable to goats, that I haven't already tried?

Or other tips for taming, for that matter? Right now I just walk into the pen and act casual, like I don't care if she's there or not, and just pay attention to BB, and she will sneak a little closer. Any suggestions for speeding the process?

Thanks!

DD

[CritterLover]

Sit in the middle of the pen with a brush and a handful of the cookie part of vanilla Oreos, or if you have horses, horse cookies. Once she's comfortable with the cookies, brush her a bit. It should only take few days before she seeks you out for a sweet treat or a scratch.

Of course, I say that having two does, brought home the same day from the same place, same interaction. Four weeks later, one follows me like a dog and runs to me when she sees me, the other tolerates me for food. They do have distinct personalities.

[fishhead]

I've read that raisins are a treat.

[Corky]

You are a stranger and so is your place.

She is rightly, scared to death.

Don't rush her. Give her time to get used to both you and the new home.

Spend as much time around her as you can though. Cleaning the area or whatever so she will get used to you being there.

Then after she has calmed down and feels at home you can try to handle her more.

Do you have a milk stand? Feeding her there would be a good idea later.

Once she is on the stand and eating, you can brush her and talk to her every day.
You will have to take her to the stand with a lead rope and put her up there at first but it won't take long for her to come running and jump up on her own.

[Idahoe]

I have an FF this year who has always been terrified of me (I've had her since she as two months old). Her mother was a freak, too, but anyway, I have been training her to the stanchion for milking (so I can sell the little brat). Since goats are so food motivated, I would not feed her or allow her to eat unless you are standing right there with her, even if it means bringing her a flake of hay and holding it while she eats. If there is food available, even if you are holding it, the goat will not starve to death while she learns to trust you. A few days of doing that and she'll come running when she sees you!

[BlueHeronFarm]

I have a few that will do ANYTHING for black oil sunflower seeds. Definitely the bribery treat of choice at our place.

[moosemaniac]

I sit out near my goats and just watch them play. Usually, they quit playing and come over looking for goodies. I've had some new, skittish goats that have eventually responded to this. It just takes time and patience. 2 Nubian does, in fact, were the worst. They were never handled. Dam raised. They're big babies now.

Ruth