I got a new goatie!

[goatn00b]

I bought a beautiful Nigerian Dwarf doe yesterday. I previously posted about how I bought an African Pygmy and everyone who responded to my questions said "Get another goat!" So that is just what I did.

Anyway, with more goats comes more questions. But this one is about socialization. The Nigie (named Dalmatica, Deedee for short) is not used to being around humans at all. She is doing fantastic with my other doe but she doesn't want to have ANYTHING to do with my family. My 5 year is DYING to pet her. lol

Do any of you have any suggestions? Is there anything that will make an under-socialized goat magically love you? A goat love potion, perhaps?

(I do have a lot of hope for her to come around though since she is very young still. She was born in Feb.) ***pics to follow when I can get my booty out there with the camera***

[Rechellef]

It's going to take some time. Even though my goats were handled, it still took 2-3 weeks before they warmed up to me. Some folks here suggested putting grain or some sort of goat treat (raisins, animal crackers) in your pocket when you go out to see them. The one who is used to you will come up to eat the treats and the other one eventually will. Goats are notoriously curious and eventually can't help but check out what's going on. Just be patient and she will warm up to you.

[Reed77]

patience, it will take quite a while if shes anything like my black nigerian dwarf. when I first got her she would run to the other side of them pen every time I came around, now, she only lets me just close enough so I can't touch her. but she will eat out of my hand.

[bknthesdle]

I thought I was going to have the same question this week. Two days ago we went to pick up a bigger sister for my Nigerian dwarf bottle baby. I was worried. I had only seen the baby once shortly after she was born. She was raised on mama and I was afraid she would not be friendly. I had even given the hubby a special signal if I thought she was too wild to bring home. Luckily my worries were misplaced. She came running over to me and stood up on me. Her legs braced on mine. The lady who raised her swears she knew she was mine. So she rode home in my lap that afternoon. Now my only issue is she is WAY bigger than my bottle ND and I have to keep them separated. They are in pens side by side for now.

Hope it goes well trying to befriend her!!!

[luvzmybabz]

ANIMAL COOKIES!!! We has a skittish doe so we decided to go the cookie route. Now it works with all out goats for the evil things we must do worming hoofs copper bolus etc just give them a AC after and all is good in the goat world. Now I will tell you when my hubby goes into the pen for something be better have cookies handy as he will turn into a goat tree with his head peeping out of the top.

[bknthesdle]

Lol! Never would have thought of animal cookies!!

[thaiblue12]

Time and animal crackers

Goats are very nosy creatures, cats have nothing on them!

Sit in the pen, wiggle your fingers, toss animal crackers and she will come around. But she needs to come to you, if you chase her or hold her against her will it become a trust issue and that takes longer to cure.
Once she comes to you give her a cracker, let her nibble on your fingers, gently scratch her nose. Once you are able to give her a good shoulder scratching she will be won over and then you will want advice on how to keep her off of you, lol.

BNK just how much bigger? Last year I had a 2 month old LaMancha and got her a 1 month old mini friend and despite the size difference, which was pretty big, they got along very well and are the best of friends. Both still make me insane and cause trouble but they do it together, lol.

[bknthesdle]

Originally Posted by thaiblue12

BNK just how much bigger? Last year I had a 2 month old LaMancha and got her a 1 month old mini friend and despite the size difference, which was pretty big, they got along very well and are the best of friends. Both still make me insane and cause trouble but they do it together, lol.

It seems like alot. I give them supervised time together every time I go out with a bottle. But the older one (who is Nubian x LaMancha cross) is 8 weeks old and about the same size as my 30ish lb lambs. The bottle baby (ND x Nubian) is fairly small. My cat is bigger than she is. The bigger kid (Pru) loves to run and butt the ND x Nubian (Phoebe) in the side. I am guessing Phoebe is about 6-8 lbs.

Phoebe with the cat.

[bknthesdle]

Originally Posted by goatn00b

I bought a beautiful Nigerian Dwarf doe yesterday. ***pics to follow when I can get my booty out there with the camera***

Can't wait to see pictures! I LOVE Nigerian Dwarfs!!!

[opossumholler]

Raisins work wonders as well. My LaMancha was anti social when I got her, but everytime I went out to the barn I brought raisins and she comes to me now everytime I go to the barn

[Backfourty,MI.]

Yep, do like thaiblue12 suggested, the more time you can spend in their pen with them the more friendly they will be. They are very curios creatures & my goats favorites treats are animal crackers.

I dam raise all our kids & they even run up to strangers to get lovins right from the beginning.
Dam raised kids can be exceptionally friendly, it just depends on how much time the breeders spend with them, makes a big difference.

Can't wait to see pictures!

[Backfourty,MI.]

Originally Posted by bknthesdle

It seems like alot. I give them supervised time together every time I go out with a bottle. But the older one (who is Nubian x LaMancha cross) is 8 weeks old and about the same size as my 30ish lb lambs. The bottle baby (ND x Nubian) is fairly small. My cat is bigger than she is. The bigger kid (Pru) loves to run and butt the ND x Nubian (Phoebe) in the side. I am guessing Phoebe is about 6-8 lbs.

Phoebe with the cat.

I also have different sized goats that all get along great. Goats have a pecking order & it sounds like your bigger girl will always be top dog but they will also always butt heads when they get together if they are kept apart, even though they are right next to each other with a fence between them.
They have to work it out. The more space you can give them together, the better. That way the smaller of the 2 has room to get away from the bigger one. As she gets older she will also learn how to avoid the bigger one's butting but most likely that will subside once they live together all the time.

[beccachow]

Yeah, I have two pygmies and an angora boer mix, PLUS a Khatadin sheep in there, they are best buddies.

SOmeone here years ago suggested raisins....NEVER underestimate the power of raisins. But if you drop them, don't try to pick them back up off the ground. TRUST me on that one.