Help - loud goats!

[johnsmb]

My 2 nubian wethers are about 8 weeks old now. I knew they were "talkative" but these guys are just plain LOUD. So loud that my husband is starting to want them gone. Our neighbors have made a few comments. They are still being bottle fed 3 times a day, although I would like to drop down to 2. They eat hay and lots of greenery. They are still in with the chickens, so they have no green stuff in their pen, and they yell to get out and eat the good stuff. They yell whenever we are outside and they are not out free. They get out of their pen at least once a day, if not 2 or 3 times a day. Plus one of them does not know how to "baaaah" - he screams instead. Please, I need ideas on what I can do. Is this a baby thing - will they outgrow it, or will they always yell like this????

[Alice In TX/MO]

Sounds like they are bored and hungry.

[BlueHeronFarm]

We call it "Happy New Year!" Our bottle kids are 16 weeks and they are beginning to quiet down a little. Hang in there.

[topside1]

That's why I AVOID bottle babies at all costs, very annoying....yes they will grow out of it eventually. Ignoring them is the quickest cure.....

[elgordo]

I had a couple bottle fed Nubian babies, who a year later where still very LOUD. If they saw a human they would SCREAM like someone was being murdered. I was afriad they were drawing in predetors! So I now have some La Manchas who are very quiet and well behaved. Hopefully your babies will adjust and quiet down a little!

[Small Owls Farm]

My Nubian babies just love to be around people, and they do holler if they're locked up and can't be near us, but I don't find it obnoxious. They definitely don't scream. I'd make sure they have some stuff to play with, like some cinder blocks. Simple stuff like that can be really fun goat toys, especially for kids. Also see that they're getting enough hay and if you plan on giving grain they are ready for that by now. Why not try a bit to see if that quiets them a little? They will always talk to you and all humans, that's just part of their personalities as bottle-feds and also as friendly, people-loving Nubians. Good luck.

[lynpea]

I have a screamer, she is two years old and drives me NUTS! She screams when she sees me outside, she screams when it's milking time, she screams when I am done milking and am on my way back to the house....I have NEVER had a nubian so LOUD.....lynpea.... thank goodness we don't have any close neighbors.

[manygoatsnmore]

That's why I don't raise Nubians any more. They are by nature, louder than your average goat! And some of them are real screamers. If you have neighbors, you might want to start looking for a quieter breed, like LaManchas or Oberhaslis. They are much calmer and quieter than Nubians, and still love to have their people around - just don't feel the need to scream about it.

[fcnubian]

Nubians are loud...

I own a herd of Nubians...and a herd of pygmys. I'd much rather hear the pygmys. LOL

Nubian bottle babies are LOUDER! Goodluck with them. My 8 week old nubian kids are on 1 bottle a day (at night) They get all they want of it. And they are growing great and eating hay. When I first switched them to once a day they screamed and screamed. They will more then likely quiet down. Tucker and Teeka, my two bottle kids that I bought (from a member here.) screamed like crazy when I was weaning them. Ignoring them did the trick. With in a couple of weeks they didnt scream, they'd call to me, but they wouldnt do that loud shrilling scream. GAH! They finally learned that momma didnt come to their screams but if they stood at the fence and talked quietly I'd come and pet them. :baby04:

Nubians are talkers. Lol.