babysitting goats?

[airotciv]

I will be babysitting a friends goats for a month while they are on vacation. I have never been around goats. I have wanted goats and thought this was a good way to find out if I really want goats. Now he will teach me his feeding routine, and everything I need to do to take care of them. My question is, what should I know about goats? I have only been around horses and cows and know how to handle them. Have no clue how to handle goats. Thanks

[beccachow]

Never grab a goat by his/her horns or push on his/her head; they play with each other (fight) that way and it seems to be an instant response that they will push you back!!! Sounds like a strange thing to say, but when you've got a cup of grain and a few mouths to feed, and you're trying to get in there, it's kind of instinctive to push at their heads to get some room. Ask me how I figured that one out!

ETA: they do seem to enjoy a good scratch on the head, though.

[canterin']

Try to stick with your friend's feeding routine. Contrary to popular belief, goats can get sick from eating certain things, or too much of others.

[airotciv]

Thanks for the infor. Since I have never been around goats, I will not go to the horns/head and stick to their feeding routine. I knew there were somethings you should not do. Just like with Horses, cattle, poultry.