Getting Your Goat! |
|||
|
Some of the most common questions that I get are: “Which kind of goat is the friendliest?” “Which breed of goats makes the best pets?” “What is your favorite breed?” And honestly, I don’t have an answer to any of these questions. All goats are individuals. And though there may be tendencies within a breed, there are also exceptions. If you research any specific breed, you will find that it is the healthiest, friendliest, most trainable, quietest, mellowest, prettiest breed out there, according to its supporters (and breeders). I have known loving, smart, gentle goats of every breed. I have also known pushy, loud, obnoxious goats of every breed. They are individuals, and breed alone is never a guarantee of temperament. Sometimes people choose based on size – not always the best plan. Smaller goats are not necessarily easier to handle than big ones. A bossy little pygmy can use their low center of gravity to drag even the strongest person around. And they can squeeze through small openings. Whereas a better trained, 200 pound Boer can be very easy to lead and care for. That said, taller goats can jump higher… The best way to choose a goat is to go out and meet them. Interact with the animals, and see what attracts you, see who you connect with.
Goats are generally categorized based on their “purpose.” There are dairy, meat and fiber breeds, as well as miniatures. There are also all sorts of intentional crosses and random mixes, and they all make great pets! Choosing a goat based on how they look is not necessarily a bad thing - you will spend a lot of time looking at your goats – but any healthy, happy goat can make a great pet. I have found that as I get to know each goat, their personality becomes far more important than their appearance. The next question is usually, which is a better pet – male or female. For starters, you do not want a buck (an intact male) as a pet. In addition to producing smelly musk, they have the attractive habit of peeing on the own beards, ears, faces and front legs (apparently the girls find this irresistible). Bucks can also be very pushy, sometimes downright aggressive in rutting season. (Though of course, there are many sweet, gentle, if stinky, bucks out there.) A neutered male (a wether) will usually not display any of this obnoxious breeding behavior, and they are generally sweet, friendly guys. Does (females) can also be wonderful, bonded pets. Does do not have to be milked unless they have been bred, a common misconception. I have found that both genders can be sweet, affectionate pets, and generally all get along well with each other. And lastly, the question of horns. Are horns a problem? My answer is no. Horns are a beautiful, natural part of the goat, and will not be a problem if you are set up properly. All goats, both male and female, are born with horns, with the exception of a small percentage that are born “polled,” or hornless. Goats’ horns continue to grow throughout their lives. The horn is actually part of the skull – the horn material that we see is surrounding a core of living bone; it has a blood supply, flesh and nerves. Goats that you see without horns have been “dehorned” or “disbudded,” a painful, and in my opinion unnecessary, process (the emerging horn bud is burned off with a hot iron, often also burning an area of skin and flesh around the horn). To me, dehorning is similar to de-clawing cats, or ear cropping in dogs – people do it because it is convenient, or a style/tradition they like, or because they see others doing it. Removing the horns of an adult goat is essentially amputation – it is the removal of part of the skull, which opens up a hole into the sinus cavity. It is bloody and painful. If you ask people who support dehorning why they do it, they will tell you that horns are dangerous. I strongly disagree. In 12 years of rescue, over 700 animals have come through my farm. I have only had 2 goats that were aggressive with their horns, and both were intact males. With the exception of those 2 bucks, I have never had a goat attack a person with their horns, and I have never seen a goat impale another animal. Of course, the horns are hard, and pointed at the end. I have had a goat turn their head quickly, and bump me, causing a bruise. Adults and kids alike need to pay attention when around goats with horns. But getting bumped is not the same as getting butted, something I very rarely see. Another concern is that goats with horns can get their heads stuck in fencing. If you have proper fencing, getting their head stuck is not an issue. What I do see the goats do with their horns is scratch their own backs. And play with branches. And goats with horns seem to stay cooler in hot weather. Another problem that I have with dehorning, is that it seems to be done correctly about half of the time. If not completely destroyed, the horn tissue will continue to grow. But without the base of bone, it has no support, and no form. These growths are known as scurs, and create recurring problems. Because they are not truly horns, they are often loose, and will rip off when bumped or rubbed, causing an open, bloody sore. I would estimate that 75% of the dehorned goats I have seen have had some degree of scurs. So, when it comes to “getting your goat,” we say, come on out and meet them! Over the years we have seen many instances of people being “chosen” by a goat, often one very different than what they thought they wanted. Here at the rescue, all breeds, all genders, all sizes, goats with and without horns, all live together, in harmony. They work out a hierarchy, find their place in the herd, and settle right in. One thing is certain – no matter what breed or gender, no goat is happy alone. Goats are herd animals — they should never be alone no matter how socialized to people they are. When you go in your house at night, a single goat is left alone. As herd animals, it is very stressful for them to be alone, and they will tend to be nervous, cry more, and spend a lot of energy trying to get to other goats or their people. Dogs are not appropriate companions for goats. Though many dogs and goats get along, and can become closely bonded, we strongly recommend that dogs and goats not be left alone together. Even the gentlest dog is still a predator, and an innocent game of chase can quickly turn deadly. Finding the right goat or goats is usually as simple as determining what you want (Pet? Fiber? Pack Goat? Brush Removal?), evaluating your property, and meeting the available goats. The right match always comes along. |
|||
| back to top...... |
|||
|
New Moon farm is located at 19111 Burn Rd, Arlington, WA 98223. We recommend Mapquest for directions. Most GPS units don’t have our area mapped very well. Sanctuary hours are by appointment only. To schedule a visit, or to surrender a goat, please call or email. 425-791-4513 |
|||
|
|
|||