Obnoxious Doe.....

KayJay · #1 10/31/08, 02:17 PM

So, since I've had a lot of issues with selling off excess goats around here (everyone is all about cattle), I've made the decision to not breed my girls this year, and possibly not at all anymore. My one horned goat, Cookie, apparently is very unhappy with my decision.... Each time she comes in heat she becomes rather violent.... not towards people or even towards other goats, but she bangs her head on the fence obsessively. She's broken several fences, and has even bent some of my heavy duty cattle panels. She's worn/broken chunks of her horns off (not the tips, but further down) and has left blood all over the fences. I've thought about trying to band her horns, but she's 3 1/2 years old now, and I wonder if they might be too big. Aside from going ahead and breeding her, I was wondering if anyone might have any suggestions. Butchering is not an option, since she's a well loved pet as well as a good milker. Selling would be acceptable, but I can't find anyone to buy her. She's a first generation mini mancha. Thanks in advance.

crazygoatgal · #2 10/31/08, 02:21 PM

Wow, I wish I knew what to tell you. For your own sanity maybe breed her. Would padded horn covers work? LOL She sounds like she needs a rubber room.

LittleRedHen · #3 10/31/08, 03:08 PM

I'd breed her.. She wants the attention of a manly stinky goat

prairiedog · #4 10/31/08, 03:12 PM

breed her and butcher the babies

KayJay · #5 10/31/08, 04:36 PM

Well, my problem with breeding her and butchering the babies is that so far she's had a doe and a buck from each breeding, and the does end up way too nice to just butcher, so unless she ended up having nothing but bucklings, I'd end up with the same problem of excess goats I can't sell. I don't really want to take that chance. I've tried padding her horns, but she finds ways to tear off whatever padding I put on. Thanks for the advice, please keep it coming.

Minelson · #6 10/31/08, 07:50 PM

I wonder if there is something you can give her during these times to help her distress. I'm thinking something like Bachs Rescue Remedy...it's a floral tincture that a lot of people use for animals (and people) in distress. You can get it at any health food store, some pet stores or Valley Vet http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.h...e-323913f00d87

QoTL · #7 10/31/08, 10:13 PM

Hmmm.. sounds like my husband...