The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Aussie_Farm_Medic on September 19, 2016, 08:00:47 am
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Hello Everybody,
I have recently (2 weeks ago) become a goat owner and have two milking does. Primrose is a lovely little 11 month old Anglo Nubian x British Alpine and she is an absolute treasure, I look forward to milking her when she kids. Our other doe, Holly, is a very large 4 year old Anglo Nubian x Black Saanen maiden milker. Holly is wonderful to milk and is currently producing 1.4 litres of milk daily and increasing yield steadily (once a day milking) and her milk has just now begun to taste lovely and sweet and creamy. She had never been milked (except twice in two years by a vet) before we bought her but has been really easy to train. I really think she likes being milked and is very well behaved for it. The issue with her is that everyday or so she will challenge us and charge or head butt us. She landed my mum rather painfully on the ground a few days ago, so it is no laughing matter! I might add that she has pretty impressive horns too!!
I believe the issue is that her previous owners were very deferential to her and if she wanted something regardless of what it was she got it. She was definitely the leader with them. I'm sure they meant well but it will not work for us. We expect our animals (Horses, cows, sheep, dogs) to be respectful of us and gentle.
When Holly starts to beeline for me I have been making myself look big and tall and have had to slap my sides, stomp and growl (I know, I sound like a cave-woman) to prevent the collision. Sometimes that has not worked and I've had to heave her away constantly prevent impact. She will even rear up and try to slam down on us. She is much taller than me when she does that too! Mum doesn't feel safe to go into the paddock alone to milk Holly now.
So HELP!!! Has anyone had this issue before? What is the best way to correct her? Is she just trying to become the leader again? Any success stories?
Thanks so much!!
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When I have had this problem, usually with bought in males, I grab them when they start to attack and tip them over like a sheep. Once on the ground I kneel on the neck and shoulder and do not let them stand up again until I say so. It normally only takes once or twice for rules to be established but you must be consistant and prepared to do it again if needed. This may not work for everyone as tipping is an art.
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Thanks for the reply! Yes, um wow..... I haven't tipped a sheep for years. So I suppose it wouldn't hurt a goat to be tipped? I know that if cows roll they can twist their gut, but are goats more like sheep in that regard? Do you think that everyone who handles her would need to do it or just one?
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I have had to sit on top of my bucklings a few times... although all of mine are disbudded. Never had issues with a female goat though, and would be doubtful that her behaviour will change if she is 4 yo..., especially if she hasn't ever kidded.
Water pistols get used as well...
In the meantime - she should be coming into a pen and then onto a milking stand, where you can milk her with her head secured in a yoke. I would try and teach her a routine for milking/feeding - in that she comes to you calmly - treat, put lead on her - treat, lead her into pen/milking stand - treat (her usual dinner). Do it at the same time every day, and I guess she should then also be in a pen o/night, then led out again into the field next morning. If she gets a mid-day ration, again, lead her into the pen for that too.
Also a bigger herd would also be good - she will at the moment see "you" as her herd...
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Try a water pistol
I've read about using one, never tried it but mentioned it to a friend who had a problem, apparently it works.