[Cyberhell]

We have 4 month old wethers that we've had for a just over month and over the last week they've really bonded with us and become really friendly.  All good.  However, they've taken to yelling a lot - not good!

They yell when we see them to feed their grain goat mix, are quiet for a while then yell if they see us in the house.  We are in a domestic house with a largish garden with the bottom portion including their house fenced off for them for while we're at work (with benches and logs to play on and free access hay and salt licks) and they have the run of the whole garden while we're in (climbing tower, lots of goat friendly plants).  We've been spending time with them and they do quieten for a while if they yell and we go out to be with them, but we can't spend all our time with them.  I also don't want them thinking they'll get goat mix every time they yell so we're trying to see them without feeding them too. 

Do we leave them to yell in the hope they'll eventually give up and realise we're not on tap with food?  A few neighbours (one close another many doors down) expressed their concerns about us getting the boys to our next door but one neighbour (who tells me she's not heard them yelling, but after tonight I don't know!), so I'm really worried about receiving complaints and intervention from the local authority.  Having said that they're no louder the people's noisy children, music and house alarms that we hear far more often than the goats yell!  I just don't want to upset our next door neighbours as we get on well and they are lovely, plus the guy is really really poorly and I really don't want it getting him down.

Do they quieten down as they get older?  I thought that pygmy wethers were generally very quiet and I'm concerned that this will be it for 15 years!  We thought we'd done our research and opted for the quietest breed and wethers.

Help!

[Lesley Silvester]

Could it be that they are yelling for attention? Mine (not pygmies) bleat if they see me near the door but I don't go out to them every time.

[sokel]

William my Boer Billy and the male kid that's with him both used to have an ear piercing scream when they saw me, it was totally my fault because every time I went out of the house I would speak to them and give them a treat. They got to the point that they would shout until I gave them a treat.
I had to start ignoring them and only giving them something on the odd occasion now they don't expect anything and have stopped shouting

[NormandyMary]

They are certainly not daft, these pygmy boys!!Billy and Toby also bleat loudly if they hear me, Im just grateful that we don't have neighbours near enough to complain! Im sure that they are just trying to get your attention as they do crave it. Billy wants to be the centre of my world all the time and can get a bit over excited if I try and ignore him, hence the bruises on my thighs! Im afraid though, that I don't have any solution for your noisy problem, I just wish you good luck!!
Mary.

[Cyberhell]

Thanks for the replies. We're trying not to respond & be on tap & we are waiting til they are quiet before we give their food or treats. All was fine today until 5ish when they seem to think it's shouty time. Any idea why they would be quiet during the day then shout early eve? We've been in today & spent time with them & also they were on their own quiet in their house for periods. They quiet down when we shut them in their house for the night so I wondered if they'd learnto be quiet if we shut them away for a short period like like a dog being told "on your bed" . I understand they are as intelligent as dogs & these two seem to have completely bonded with us.

[Mel Rice]

Its not just goats....my sheep also shout a greeting  You never know they might just get  a bit more field or rarely some hard feed

[sokel]

Do you normaly or have they been fed at a set time by either yourself or the breeder/previous owner ?
Ours are used to being fed at a set time and they start shouting about 20 mins before feeding time and if we are late they get louder.
the milkers are the same at milking time

[countrywoman]

I was also going to say that routine can help.  Mine are fed/milked at the same times every day and now that they are used to it, rarely make a noise outside that time unless they need attention (like goatling got herself stuck in fence...). 
 
I suspect the lads are training you to respond when summoned - and if it works they will just up their demands.  Warn your neighbours they will get noisier before they get used to the rules and then be ruthless with your time/food/attention.

[lachlanandmarcus]

It is a tricky one, people complain about animal noise because they can and that animals can be rehomed, whereas noise from children is not classed as noise nuisance no matter how constant and ear splitting .... Odd cos the effect is much the same on the eardrums....

[Brucklay]

My goats have a timetable and they know it - if I'm late they get louder - the only suggestion, lots of walks through their area with nothing - once a day feed - my place is so noisy - orphan lambs, top up lambs, goats, ewes that think they should still have hard feed and a couple of greedy rams - send your neighbour's my way

[Mays]

I find I have to ignore the girls completely, and I have found myself telling visitors off for going over to pet them if they are trying to get my attention as they just want my company. I learned very quick to put food in their stalls, then bring them in, that way they are always keen to go inside in the evening but don't annoy me to bring them food.

[Daisys Mum]

Mine don't bother me for food just scratches and cuddles, they would love to come for a walk with the dog as they follow me all the way up the fence line and try to get out at the end of the field. It's such a bu99er that they aren't allowed.

[Anke]

Mine don't bother me for food just scratches and cuddles, they would love to come for a walk with the dog as they follow me all the way up the fence line and try to get out at the end of the field. It's such a bu99er that they aren't allowed.

You can get a walking license for goats, but would probably need approval not only from the landowner, but also AH and also would have to keep to a precise route every time. If you are keen it could be done!

[Lesley Silvester]

Who would you apply to, Anke? I used to take my first goats up the road to the palying field at the end, having 'forgotten' that I wasn't allowed to. It was a built up area and they weren't going to meet any other goats or sheep. Just the odd dog and a few bemused people.