Adding two baby girls?

[chica051588]

We have our three little boys who are scheduled to be wethered the first week in July, at four months old. I am highly considering adding two little girls a few months after they're wethered. My question, are the boys normally accepting of little girls just as herdmates? I don't want to stress my boys, or get my girls beat up. Will they be ok?? Or is it a wait and see situation?

[anita_fc]

How young will the does be? Closer in age would be better for everyone. I have found all goats to be territorial. There will always be some head bashing until they sort out their hierarchy, even among the very young kids. Stress? I wouldn't call it stressful to add members to your herd. Goats are herd animals; it just gives them more opportunities for social interactions and to form sub hierarchies.

Anita Crafton
Dan-Ani Pygmy Goats
Hansen, Idaho

[chica051588]

Originally Posted by anita_fc

How young will the does be? Closer in age would be better for everyone. I have found all goats to be territorial. There will always be some head bashing until they sort out their hierarchy, even among the very young kids. Stress? I wouldn't call it stressful to add members to your herd. Goats are herd animals; it just gives them more opportunities for social interactions and to form sub hierarchies.

Anita Crafton
Dan-Ani Pygmy Goats
Hansen, Idaho

We previously had a goat that would get stressed with a new member, so I know it's possible. I just wasn't sure how prevalent of an issue it was. My kids will be almost a year apart. I like to bottle raise my own kids. My goats are purely for pets, so I want something raises by me, with me. My boys follow us around like our dogs do. I was just curious.