Lonely Doe

[QoTL]

I had a very small herd of two goats: an alpine X and a Nigerian who was, truly, elderly.

Some of you may remember I lost my Nigerian about 2 weeks ago now.

My Alpine X gave birth to her little Doeling the same day we had to put the ND down.

At first, my Alpine girl was over anxious about her doeling, but that seems to have mellowed now.

Unfortunately, now she's way overanxious about ME. If I'm up there, and she hears me but doesn't see me she yells at me. It doesn't matter whether she's in the barn or in the goat yard. She yells, yells.

She was extremely dependent on the other doe, although she did pick on her a bit. I know she's hurting. We both miss Gran.

Is this something that's going to mellow out? I had thought with her doeling for company she'd be ok, but it almost seems like she's getting worse. She reminds me of a stay at home mom with a baby who is DYING for some adult interaction. Will her doeling be better company for her as she gets older?

I've tried to get my dh to agree to another doe, but he just isn't budging on it. I can't let my poor Loopa spend her life this way- I want her relaxed and happy (as much as possible with an active doeling climbing on the hay you are trying to munch!). I never expected her to be quite this nervous.

My mother made a good point- that my doe probably has awful seperation anxiety (we had also gotten rid of the buck 2 weeks prior to losing Gran, so Loopa went from an adult herd of 3 to just her and her baby). Would an adult doe even help, or would it just make her nervous about her doeling? Should I just give her more time?

Even when she's in the stall and I'm in the barn- she spends half of her time watching me over the wall. And she has always been a fairly standoffish girl so I'm not sure what to think or do here. I'd love her more friendly, but not if to get that I have to force her to live in loneliness

Meghan

[Chaty]

I think she has decided you are part of the herd and have taken the place of Gran. She should get better as time goes by. some take longer than others with this and its like when their baby leaves they cry for a few days. Are you milking this doe? If you are she thinks your her baby also. That might be the problem as she misses you. I have 1 doe that thinks I'm her baby and licks me alot when I am milking her. Hope this helps some..

[hoofinitnorth]

Some goats are just "that way." I have had two very needy girls that talk, talk, talk, especially when they can hear me and can't see me. Well, maybe "yell, yell, yell" is more appropriate!

One is a real bellower. If I'm on my cell phone within 30 feet of her, people on the other end of the line think I'm killing her! lol She bellows at meal/milk time and when she's scared. We have lots of other does and she is never alone. She gets along with all of them and is about middle in the pecking order. She has two doelings and is a first-freshener. I think if she were in other folks' barns, she would be sold just for her awful voice!

I have another doe out of my herd queen. She has a very distinct voice that sounds more like a squeal and it escalates as she is nervous or wants something (fresher food, time outside, attention, etc.). With any luck, she will be a first-freshener later this year. Oh my, you should have heard her when she was in the buck pen! We'll see if she changes her attitude much when she freshens...

[Minelson]

I think she just needs some time. She is out of her comfort zone with all the changes and misses the relationship she had with Nan. Loss is a life changer...I believe for animals too. She might have some personality changes for a while until she finds her new groove.

[QoTL]

Thanks guys! I DO milk her but it's pretty much under protest so I don't think she feels I'm her baby, but she definitely is having a hard time adjusting. Baby on the other hand is active and peppy LOL!


I'm glad to hear she'll adjust! That poor girl.. I had no idea I guess. I know she doesn't do well alone at all (stupid person that I am, I tried that when I first brought her home), but I guess I thought her doeling would help her more than it has.

(OTOH, just a wee bit disappointed that you didn't give me an excuse for getting another doe )


Meghan

[Backfourty,MI.]

I have 2 doe's bought as adults together from the same farm that have always been the best of buddies, no matter what other adult goat is around but when they kid I have to seperate them for awile because they try to butt each others babies sometimes & they cry for each other through the fence even with there babies in with them & then butt heads alot when they get back in together.
I am always trying to figure goats out it seems. They look right at me & talk like there telling me what to do now why don't you do it?

[hoofinitnorth]

Originally Posted by QoTL

(OTOH, just a wee bit disappointed that you didn't give me an excuse for getting another doe )

Wait, we need an excuse? Oh crud...!

Yeah, get another doe. Tell whomever asks that I said so.

[pookshollow]

I'd say she needs another adult goat! A doe and her kid is not a herd - she's anxious because there isn't anybody else but her to protect this kid.

So there's your excuse.

[General Brown]

I recently bought my first goats. A 2 year old Alpine/cross doe with twins. I began milking her and decided I needed to get rid of the little buckling and keep the doeling for company. I have not had any issues with lonlieness at all. She does holler for me when she hears the back door slam...she knows its milking and feeding time.

[catdance62]

I'm voting for another adult goat to pal around with.

[HilltopDaisy]

But sometimes they just yell when they see you. I do not need anymore goats. There are 20-something down there, but they *scream* when they see me.

[kreddish]

Goats are quite social animals... and I must admit, some of them are quite smart. New friend might be in order. Good luck