Need Opinions-Dominance Issues

[IndyGardenGal]

I introduced our Saanen doe to my two Alpines. The older Alpine has made it a point to be sure the Saanen knows she's the boss. The dry yearling though, was please to have another herd mate it seemed.

Now it seems like the two Alpines are ganging up on the Saanen. She gives them plenty of room, doesn't test them, but they don't relent. I feel badly, especially because the younger alpine is getting worse. She has scurs, and ended up head butting my husband trying to get to the Saanen. DH was so mad about it, he was telling the Alpine she was going to end up as a "goat-ka-bob" if she kept it up.

How long do these displays of dominance last? Any suggestions? I am half-tempted to sell the younger Alpine, and invest in another Saanen doe or doeling to try to even out the score some. It doesn't help that the younger Alpine is so skittish and won't let anyone touch her or come near her. She'll only reach her neck out enough to take treats out of hands but then takes off after she gets them.

Just looking for advice, I love the Saanen doe, she's so sweet and need to know what the best course of action is.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I don't want a dairy doe I can't touch. Sell the young Alpine and get another Saanen.

[Backfourty,MI.]

I agree with Alice, we spend alot of time with our goats here & if I can't get near one then I don't want it. Plus it makes it awfully hard to give shots, worming med's, etc.

[billooo2]

When I have a new goat, I put it in a pen adjacent to the herd. They will "check her out,"........hackles up, trying to butt heads, etc. But with cattle panel separating them, nothing really happens.
After a few days.....up to a week, I then put the new animal in with the herd....when I feed them hay.
They are more interested in the hay, then this animal that they are already used to.And after they eat, they usually lie down for a while......
There will stll be some head butting as they work out the "pecking order," but nothing like I see if I just turn a new animal in with the herd.

[saanengirl]

Your Alpines are being Alpines. Sell both Alpines and get another Saanen.

[motdaugrnds]

I personally love the Alpine I had. She was the only one and was about 3 yrs old when I got her. After a few months of our getting to know one another, she started helping me each time I trimmed hooves. She was not the most dominant in the herd; but she always stayed around talking to the goat whose hooves I was trimming, even butting them if they didn't stand still. She was so gentle and sweet with the herd all the rest of the time. I miss her a lot.

As for the fiesty alpine you have, if she were mine I would probably put her in a very small pen and give her much attention for awhile. If that did not change her attitude, I would get rid of her. (I won't keep any goat I cannot trust not to butt me.)