I Need A Goat Psycologist

[powderhooves]

I have 14 angora goats. I purchased four new does last month. These ladies stand in front of the barn door and don't allow anyone else to enter. There is additional shelter but the original tribe will just stand out in the rain and look their way. In the evenings everyone is in the barn and I have a gate separating the two groups. The new does bang on the gate all night long and last night knocked it down. When my husband went out this morning the original goats were all huddled together in a corner.

Sara the matriarch of my herd doesn't follow the others into the barn at night. She used to be the first one in. She waits outside for me to come for her. She seems pretty miffed. However, when we walk the goats to the other side of the property we take Sara and the others follow. The new goats even follow so is she still the queen goat?

How do I get everyone to just get along? I'm looking for a big group hug from all these guys.

[DQ]

I would suggest you take two goats, one from each "tribe", and make them live alone together for a while forcing them to establish a relationship and a pecking order. then introduce them all again.

[Minelson]

Introducing new animals to the family sure can be frustrating! Takes time and patience. I think Dq's suggestion is a good one to try. That's all you can really do..keep trying different things. Before you know it you will look back and remember when they were being so weird and laugh.

[Backfourty,MI.]

Yep, I think DQ has a good idea, I think thats what I would try too! Good luck! I'm sure they'll all get along eventually but I know what you mean, you like everyone to love each other & things to run smoothly. That's how I like it too & they will figure it out sooner or later I would hope for your sake.

[KSALguy]

why do you have the new goats separated at night but not during the day?? that will be their prime socializing time to sort things out as it seams the new goats dont want to venture out and the old goats dont want to venture in, put them all in the same sleeping area at night and let them sort it all out, there is going to HAVE to be some head butting going on to get that taken care of, and if your original Queen isnt up to the job you will soon have a new one to watch for, they will set up their own social order and we just have to go along with it.

[powderhooves]

Thank you so much for your quick response. I will try DQ's suggestion and let you know what has transpired.

[Sweet Goats]

I have cashmere and they do the same thing. I have my Queen and she is such a snot, (but i love her to death). She will stand at the barn door and not let anyone else in. Sometimes if she has her back turned they will RUN fast past her. I do sometimes lock up the snot goats at night also so the others will be able to get in. I agree and I totally understand why you do it. If you don't they will never get in the barn and if the weather changes they will be stuck outside.