Aboutgoatlady Expertise Specializing in New Goat Owner understanding of goat physiology, goat anatomy, goat care and herd management. *I am not a veterinarian, any advice and information should be verified by your veterinarian before administering to your goats.
Experience 17 years experience of raising goats and herd management. Active hands on experience with goat herd and research with various Caprine University Research and Extension Centers nationwide. 15 years dedicated to helping other goat breeders/owners with goat anatomy, goat disease and goat health care issues via phone, published goat care articles and internet interaction.
Organizations 5 year active member of International Veterinary Information Service
Publications United Caprine News, Homesteaders Magazine, Columnist for Goat Magazine, Owner and Author of GoatPedia™
Education/Credentials Graduate Programs in Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University
Question I just got an 8 week old baby and thought she might be lonely so I went and got a 5 month old one who was the runt and pretty small but still a little bigger than the baby and the older one keeps pushing her around and she already has little horns. They have only been together 4 days will they get used to each other? Can the older one hurt the baby?I don't want to keep them together if the bigger one can hurt her or should I give it time,they were sleeping together this morning.
Answer Hi Michelle,
I think they will more than likely make friends - the bigger one needs to show the little one she is boss. You will want to make sure she doesn't get too rough but I really doubt she will. IF she does , instead of reprimanding her in a negative way- hold her and tell her she doesn't want to hurt her little baby buddy in a nice voice- which will make her like the baby and not despise the fact the baby got her in trouble. I know this sounds weird but trust me they do understand. ;)
As the baby starts to get older she will get tougher and I bet in a few months these two will become inseparable. When you are giving the baby her bottle, make sure the older one gets attention too or she may get jealous. BTW On bottle feeding- make sure you are NOT giving her milk replacer .. I have an excellent article on feeding bottle baby goats-
