so what is the 'Bringing Up Bucklings' best plan of action?

[cathleenc]

I keep reading on how NOT to bring up bucklings..... tell me HOW TO bring them up, please!

We're getting a buckling for sure this spring. We have 2 young human boys, 3 does, 3 ewes, 1 ram. The ram and the buckling will keep each other company July till breeding season.

lookig forward to lots of good advice. please share!
thanks
Cathy

I'm pretty familiar with general goat care. Looking for buckling specific advice.

[togg75]

I'm interested too.

[jBlaze]

I don't raise them any different. I really like my bottle fed well manered gentle boys. They are respectful and easy to handle even when in rutt. When going into rut you need to be sure they eat enough.

[catdance62]

yes, just pet them a lot and give them the occasional treat. The two bucks we have now are easy-going good natured boys.

[April]

I can tell you that it's really really hard not to "play push" when they're little bitty. It's so incredibly adorable when they jump up in the air and butt your hand. I can also tell you that it ain't so darn sweet when they're 6 months old and weigh 90 pounds. I'm sure everyone knows that, though. As awful as it sounds, I think that limited play attention (not "no attention", that's not possible - they're too fun) is the best route.

[jBlaze]

Originally Posted by April

I can tell you that it's really really hard not to "play push" when they're little bitty. It's so incredibly adorable when they jump up in the air and butt your hand. I can also tell you that it ain't so darn sweet when they're 6 months old and weigh 90 pounds. I'm sure everyone knows that, though. As awful as it sounds, I think that limited play attention (not "no attention", that's not possible - they're too fun) is the best route.

All goats no matter size or gender should be taught to respect people.

[Madfarmer]

They should be disbudded by the time they're two weeks old. There is no reason for them to have horns. Keep a properly sized collar w/ a quick release buckle on them. Put them on a leash & teach them to lead. Don't pet/scratch/play with their heads. You can pet them on the neck or withers, but handling their heads will encourage them to butt. If they get ornery, clip one end of a double-ended snap to the D-ring on their collar, clip the other end to a fence or eye-bolt on a fence post, and give them a "time-out". During their first real rut, they may be so testosterone crazy that you'll want to kill 'em. Try to stay calm, don't yell, don't beat (doesn't work), just use the above suggestions patiently.

Madfarmer

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

I don't allow children, not even my grandkids to play with bucklings. They are taught not to jump or standup with their front legs on my leg from early on. Like Madfarmer, I collar them from the beginning, and even moving them onto the lambar I use the collar. I only pet my bucks on the side and back.

I have asthma so a buck is taught to keep at arms distance from me, no rubbing allowed. They always have friends to play with they don't need me to play with them.

I want my bucks to stand on a horse lead for an hour if need be, for outside breedings, an arms length away and stand to have their feet trimmed. It's their job. My bucks know exactly what is going to happen if I get out the blue lead rope, I don't use it for just moving them from pens etc...because they automatically know the blue rope is for breeding. Routine is huge.

I am very careful with them that first rut. They are always clipped to the fence if I have to work in their pen. I have my barn set up so feeding and haying I don't have to go in with my goats, but to change out water etc...I do. I don't challenge my bucks, I don't shoot them with water, I don't hit them, I don't throw them down to the ground like you do with dogs, at no time is this normal goat dominance. IF you can get through that first year, by spring they are wonderful.

I have wonderful bucks, very different bloodlines and breeds also. I know that women simply raise better behaved bucks than men do because we have to. I also don't full feed my bucks because I have no interest in bucks who are 300 pounds. You don't need them to be that big for servicing does, nor to get really impressive appraisal scores or show wins. When I see big huge overweight boys, while others seem to be soo impressed, I look at them and think why/what is the point? Vicki

[susanne]

cathy the best way to bring up a buck is, not raise him all by himself. he needs a companion. most bucks are not very different from does and want attention and be petted even if they are stinky. they do not understand if they get pushed away.
it is very important to have them drinking their water and since you are in wisconsin, this means warm water haul in winter time, twice a day. they need regularly hoof trimming, even if in rut. all the attention you give your does, the bucks want and need it too

[RiverPines]

What breed?

[cathleenc]

saanen. Bad side - should be BIG. Good side - should be mellow.