About those horns

PrettyPaisley · #1 08/04/10, 09:11 PM

When we got Millie and Lodden they had been disbudded. I didn't know better and as I've mentioned, bought them on a slight whim. (I say slight because, while *knew* I wanted goats I hadn't shared that tidbit with the rest of the family and hadn't done much researching.

) The people at the farm went on and on about the great reasons to have goats without horns so I just took them at that word.

Fastforward to replacing the space left by the loss of Lodden. I can't wait to bring Buddy home, but we also want a couple more Saanens for breeding and milk. I need to prove I can at least earn back a few dollars with my homesteading dream instead of just spending it.

So we've found twin Saanen doelings that are about Millie's age and that look really good - but they have their horns. Since we are in more of a backyard environment (though we have the room) we don't have the danger of predators like we would if we had more land. We do have fencing and I'm sure other dangers that only a horned goat could find, but my bigger concern would be bringing them home to Millie and Buddy - neither of whom have horns.

At this point the ethical and pain issue has to be set aside. We can worry about that later. I'm more concerned with whether horned goats would hurt those without, if horns can really be dangerous to an udder full of milk and small children and if it's something to worry about considering they are fenced in by a split rail fence.

Backfourty,MI. · #2 08/04/10, 09:17 PM

There are all kinds of threads here about horns & no horns. Here at my place we have horned & no horned goats together & have had no problems & never had a horned goat gore another goat or hurt them becuase of horns.
We have welded wire fence or cattle panels for all of our fencing here. We also have Nigerian dwarf goats & just got 3 mini nubians about a month ago.

nehimama · #3 08/04/10, 09:30 PM

Just got rid of a horned goat this summer. Wonderful milker, but tried to gore the other girls all the time. Always aimed those horns at the udder or underbelly of the other girls. She KNEW she had horns, and she KNEW how to use them. Sorry, horns not welcome here.

**mygoat** · #4 08/04/10, 09:37 PM

Yup, My horned goats KNOW how to use their horns. They KNOW where the tips of them are, and know just how to hook you when you're working with them, believe me. Even the nicest goat can get frustrated with you while worming/hoof trimming, and can hook you - purposefully or not. With small children, horns are a BIG no-no in my opinion.

Also, my horned goats do, and often will, hook others in the belly/udder area. This could EASILY lead to injuries. So far it's been good here, but I disbud all stock born, won't buy horned goats anymore, and eventually will have the horned animals culled or die of old age. This would be more of an issue with people with less pasture or housing area. I have AMPLE room, but in more crowded areas injuries are more likely.

I've also had the ultimate joy of trudging out to pasture several times mid winter, with deep snow, to release a doe from fencing. I'm also lucky she didn't die of exposure during the storm (she's white, I could've easily missed her hung up out there!) or hang herself.

Plus, with dehorned goats, you can use cattle panels as hay feeders without worrying about them getting stuck.

If I were you, I'd wait and keep looking for a companion.

Pony · #5 08/04/10, 10:16 PM

My experience is limited, but I trust what I've learned from those who have been in goats for decades, so NO HORNS here.

The risks are too high.

billooo2 · #6 08/04/10, 10:21 PM

There is no guarantee that you will have problems.....or won't have problems.
Do you want to take the risk and make the investment of raising an anmal, and then having a problem??
I do not want horns at my place....
It is up to you.....for your animals and your place

lasergrl · #7 08/04/10, 10:29 PM

So sick of horns getting stuck in the fences. Horned animals here do use the horns. Just cleaned out a maggot hole from a meat goat fighting with another. I cant wait to band the horns this weekend. I banded the horns on a 4 month old kiko/alpine wether and they fell off wonderfully. I need to get the doelings done this weekend. I didnt get around to burning them because they were born a few days after having my human baby. Didnt feel like burning in the snow while feeling so ich. Luckily the banding has worked great with labout the same discomfort that they show when castrating.

PrettyPaisley · #8 08/04/10, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billooo2

There is no guarantee that you will have problems.....or won't have problems.
Do you want to take the risk and make the investment of raising an anmal, and then having a problem??

That's kind of what it sounds like. It can be goat specific. And no, I do not want to buy a goat, bring her home and find out that I wish she didn't have horns. Not worth the risk.

Thanks!

Otter · #9 08/04/10, 10:38 PM

If you have your heart set on these girls, you can always keep them filed down. Just every day on the milk stand run a hoof rasp over the top once or twice. You can also cut a little slit in rubber balls and glue them over the tip. I've done both with cattle, dull, short horns aren't as bad to deal with.
I know some people who've banded, some had no problems, one person had the horn knocked of prematurely and had to rush to the vet so the goat didn't bleed out. It's not too common but it happens.

My wether is getting scurs and I'm just going to keep them filed. He gets a mouthful of grain and I just run a file over the top once or twice.