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10/25/11, 07:36 PM
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 17,225
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Traits
I know some folks go for maximum production. Some for conformation. Others yet for color, feet, feed conversion, etc.
Our goat is like a puppy dog. Follows us around and is always underfoot. Saturday I was sitting in the yard carving on a walking stick (a hobby of mine). Goat is rubbing her horns and scratching on the stick. Gets tired of this, and starts eating willow chips off my lap. Mind you that there is a pan of goat feed, BOSS, alfalfa pellets, oats, cracked corn, etc. sitting right next to us. What does she want? Willow chips off my lap!
Is character a trait?
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Flaming Xtian
I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.
Mahatma Gandhi
Libertarindependent
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10/25/11, 07:42 PM
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An Ozark Engineer
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Powhatan, AR
Posts: 9,412
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I believe so. One reason I cull bad-tempered goats; they tend to pass on that trait. Others with wa-a-ay more experience than I will chime in, hopefully.
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10/25/11, 07:57 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Oologah Oklahoma
Posts: 3,579
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For us it is. We (me and the bf) have talked if there is not a goat I can handle it will be gone. I am only 5'5'' with bad arthritis at 29 so I will not allow any ill tempered goats here.
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10/25/11, 08:09 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,807
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I don't know if character as such is a trait, but we cull for nasty and we breed for nice.
I have to be able to throw a goat to the ground if necessary. Nubians are not tiny creatures (though smaller than a Jersey, thanks be to God), and if I can't handle it with relative ease, it may stay on the farm for a while, but only if it's wrapped in white freezer paper.
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Je ne suis pas Alice
http://homesteadingfamilies.proboards.com/
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10/25/11, 08:22 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Oregon
Posts: 4,783
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I do think it is a trait, even separated daughters will tend to display similar traits to their mothers.
I think though Tink you are just finding out how friendly and people centered goats are. I read something that says they were the first domesticated animals, before dogs, and I believe it!
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Idleness is leisure gone to seed
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10/25/11, 08:42 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,486
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I think temperment is inherited. Breeders cull for bad temperment in dogs & I would cull bad temperment in goats.
One of my doelings I sold as a 3 week old bottle kid is a mirror image of her mother....Even has some of her mother's quirks despite being raised in a different environment away from her dam...
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10/26/11, 10:00 AM
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Pook's Hollow
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,570
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tinknal
I know some folks go for maximum production. Some for conformation. Others yet for color, feet, feed conversion, etc.
Our goat is like a puppy dog. Follows us around and is always underfoot. Saturday I was sitting in the yard carving on a walking stick (a hobby of mine). Goat is rubbing her horns and scratching on the stick. Gets tired of this, and starts eating willow chips off my lap. Mind you that there is a pan of goat feed, BOSS, alfalfa pellets, oats, cracked corn, etc. sitting right next to us. What does she want? Willow chips off my lap!
Is character a trait?
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Goats looooove willow!
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"Crivens!"
Half Caper Farm - breeding Saanens, Boers and Nigerian Dwarfs
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10/26/11, 10:58 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 6,143
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I think character is an inheritable trait. Nasty goats tend to make more nasty goats. Sweet, gentle goats tend to make more sweet,gentle goats. Just like in horses and dogs.
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10/26/11, 11:02 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southeast MO
Posts: 1,075
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I think it is actually inherited too, not learned. I have three bottle babies that I kept this year - one from each of my milking does. They spent a couple of hours with their moms at birth, but then I raised them totally separated from the rest of the herd until recently. Each of those three acts (and sounds) exactly like their respective dam. It's uncanny.
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April
Southeast Missouri
Nubians, Boers, Jersey cows and a whole lotta ticks
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10/26/11, 12:27 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,980
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I agree that temperment seems to be passed down too, even attitude - a herd queen has a daughter that thinks she should rank up there too.
Altho I do think some is environmental too.
Your goat sounds really sweet!
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ADGA Nigerian Dwarf and MDGA Mini Mancha goats for show, home use and pets www.dbarjacres.webs.com Located in North central Wisconsin
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10/26/11, 06:56 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,012
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Ah, the nature/nurture thing.
Yes, definately inherited, then learned also. Knock on wood we've never had an aggressive goat here. A scared (as in wild) goat yes, but not an aggressive one.
An aggressive goat would not last to the next day.
Hf
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