I've "acquired" another goat

[pookshollow]

Neighbour two doors over has a horse and a goat. They've been together all their lives -they're both five years old. No one in the family has any interest in either one, so they've not had much handling, other than feet and such.

Anyway, the fellow who is boarding a horse with me managed to persuade the neighbour to give him the horse, and me the goat. We brought them over last night, and put them in a small paddock with my young gelding. All seems to be fine.

I would like to separate the horse and the goat - I don't think the goat would do well out with the horse herd. Do you think she will settle down and learn to be a goat once she's in with my herd? I have a separate stall for her for the first little while, where she can see and hear my goats. I'm not concerned too much about disease - she's been isolated from goats all of her life.

She's at least part Nubian, has horns , and has never had kids, although her teats look developed. I think she's probably overweight as I first thought she was a buck, she has such shoulders! If I get her trimmed down, is she likely to be breedable? Might as well try with a Boer, given the size of her.

I'll try and get pictures later today, if it stops raining.

[mpete]

Can't wait to see the pics!!
I would give her a pen adjacent to the horse and a few goats. That way she won't be so "alone". After a few days, move the horse a little farther over. If your doe is friendly and won't go after your other goats with her horns then maybe open the door to the 2 two pens and let them run together, but with her horns I'd be right there to supervise. As for breeding, I have heard that it would be ok, but try to find a smaller buck for the first time... Congratulations!!

[susanne]

if the goat was together with the horse for a couple of years, she might have bonded with it and will be very unhappy if separated from her buddy. neighbor might got her because she is a hermie. does she looks masculine to you with her big shoulders ? horned goat with hornless s not a good idea.

[mygoat]

I have no trouble with injuries in my horned/hornless herd. Then again, none of my horned ladies are overly aggressive and my disbudded girls learn awful quick to avoid them. Just make sure your barn/pasture/feeders aren't overcrowded so she doesn't become a bully. Don't let her use them on you. And finally, make sure she can't get her head stuck anywhere.

Also, at 5 and possibly overweight, I would be leery of breeding her. Check her chest- if you can easily feel her brisket, she's a good weight. A good diary doe should be a little bit lean, so it should be prominent. Also, her hips should also stick out a little. If you feel extra padding on her hips, ribs, and brisket, she's overweight. Cut the grain, grass hay or good pasture only. If possible, put her on good pasture only so she has to browse for her meals.

And finally, keep her separate for a couple months at least to make sure she's not bringing any new diseases to your herd. Test her during that time if that's something you're concerned about.

[pookshollow]

Well, the situation has changed a bit. The horse is leaving at the end of the week - my friend found a barn he can rent that is five minutes from where he lives. The goat is staying, so she'll have to learn to be a goat.

I had a good look at her back end and she doesn't look like she's a hermaphrodite. I think she's just fat. We'll get her trimmed down over the summer, and see about breeding her come fall.

I'm really not concerned that she's bringing in any disease - she's been on "her" property since she was two months old, not in contact with any other goats. As for the horns . . . I have one Nigie with one horn left, one little BoerX doe with horns and I'm getting a couple of BoerX doelings who also have horns. There will be banding in the fall! Until then, there's 10 acres for them to roam, and if necessary, I can split them into three or four groups in the barn.

[Minelson]

Congratulations on the new addition! Can't wait for pics!