New Goats are Skittish

[Rechellef]

We were blessed enough to obtain 3 Saanen does through a friend who deals mainly in Boers and didn't know what to do with these dairy breeds, so he sold them to me. One nanny has a BEAUTIFUL perfect purebred doeling at her side, the other has a Toggenberg/Sannen cross buck, and the third is pregnant with her first kid (due to kid in 2-3 weeks). The goats used to be milked regularly, but their previous owner got "burnt out", so they haven't been milked or handled regularly since they were dried up during their pregnancy, so the kids are being nursed by their mamas. I turned them out into our pasture with our two Katahdin ewes and lambs (yes, I am FULLY aware that sheep cannot have goat food). So far, the nannies are very skittish and won't let anyone near them. The kids need to be handled too since I need to castrate the buck and want to keep the doeling for a future milker.

My question is, what is the best way to get them used to being handled again, and how long will it take them to settle in? I was rather surprised, because generally goats are more like dogs are crave human companionship (I have been around goats many many years), and sheep generally could care less. Instead, my ewes love it when I am out there with them and always come over to visit me, so for someone who is used to goats that always want to be scratched and talked to, I am so I am a little confused. Any hints to get them back to being used to being handled and up on the milk stand would be GREAT!!!

[Pony]

How long did you keep the goats isolated before you put them in with your sheep? How old are the doeling and buckling? When you had them isolated, did you make it a point to visit with them, just hanging out?

It will take them some time to settle in, but you can make friends with them with TREATS. Raisins, carrots, mini-marshmallows... Just go and sit by them without approaching them. Goats are nosy, and can't resist that there may be some tasty treats in your pockets.

[Rechellef]

The doeling and buckling are about 3 weeks old (they were born on the 5 and 7th of February). They have both been debudded, so they have had some handling. I have been just hanging out with the does so far, but I might try the raisin thing as I know goats LOVE them. They are also trying to reestablish their pecking order (from what I have observed), so they are slightly stressed right now. I have a small area where I feed and handle the sheep that I might use for the goats too as both pastures we have are over 1-1/2 acres each. We are also finishing up our goat shed where they will hang out, be milked and kid, so this area specifically for them might help out as well. Do you think it would be better if I put them back into their own pasture? The lambs and kids were playing together today and I thought it was so cute to see all that white fluff bouncing around the field.

[6e]

I have a few that are somewhat skittish and I spend a lot of time just going out and sitting with them and taking them treats. :-) It helps. On some does though, I never bond with them till I start milking them.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Take them back out of the pasture, quarantine, and draw blood. Send it to biotracking for testing for C.A.E. A friend just went through getting a "good" goat that is C.A.E. Positive, and we are having to try to negotiate a refund and return.

TEST!!!

[thaiblue12]

She does not have another other goats, so why would she need to take them out of the pasture?
Yes test, but why lock them up if her sheep are CL free and there are no lumps on anyone? CAE does not pass from goats to sheep or vice versa. Is there something else she needs to worry about?


Feed is not the issue, unless you are using one just for goats, minerals are. Goats needs lots of copper without it you can have issues with rough fur, malpresented kids and etc.

As far as taming, since they once were tame it should not be such a long process to re-tame them. Mine hate raisins, all 30 plus will not touch them. Even mixed in with other things they pick around them! But they will stampede for an animal cracker, except one, he prefers Saltines Goats are nosy curious creatures, if you sit there they will come up to you and if you wiggle your fingers they will bite them once I am able to scratch their shoulders they are won over.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I totally have the CAE heebie jeebies. Sorry.

[Rechellef]

Originally Posted by thaiblue12

Feed is not the issue, unless you are using one just for goats, minerals are. Goats needs lots of copper without it you can have issues with rough fur, malpresented kids and etc.

Yes, I am able to feed them goat feed separately from the sheep. The sheep have their own pen with a feed trough that they are rounded up into (not tough considering they follow me around).

I'll sit out with the goats again today (granted my ewes aren't going to be all over me) and just be patient.

THANKS EVREYONE!!

[LittleRedHen]

have grain hiding inyour pockets hehe

[coso]

have grain hiding inyour pockets hehe

Or a few animal crackers. Mine are animal cracker addicts.

[Backfourty,MI.]

Mine also Love animal crackers! When the does' start hanging around you for their treats their babies should follow suit!

Would Love to see pictures of your new goats & lambs too if you want too. I bet the kids & lambs were awfully cute playing together.

[Rechellef]

Well, ironically I got the youngest doe (the one who it pregnant) to come up to me without a problem when I had some feed in my pocket. The nanny that has the buckling at her side came barely within arms reach and the eldest nanny wouldn't come at all. Patience is key I suppose.

[Ranger]

I'm sure they'll come around. I've found that sitting down in the pasture and ignoring them is the fastest way to get their attention. They can't stand that!!!