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.
(! During times of severe weather in the Midwest, I may experience a delay in internet service due to the interference of the satellite reception - but will answer your questions as soon as service is restored. !)
Note: Keep in mind, the goat expert is volunteering her time to help other goat owners, she also runs her farm with her own herd of 100 goats and may not be at her computer at all hours. Questions are answered as soon as she can possibly read and answer them, usually within 24 hours.
Experience 18 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. The information I have to offer is not only from personal experience and years of research updated often as new information is made available to me, but supported by many Veterinary Research colleges and all medications and information I have to offer on how the medications work and what dosages "I" use, is information I have acquired by discussing directly with the company's veterinarians and staff research experts.
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 have just rescued two goats. They are mother and daughter and 2 and 3 1/2. They are dehorned. I walk our property 2 times a day and they have started to follow me.The first few times it was great but the last few, as we start down the hill towards home, they start blocking my way and the older doe starts trying to butt me. How can I stop this behavior now that they're older. I'll try the squirt bottle tomorrow morning but wondered if there was a better way for older goats. Thanks for any insight. Kathleen
Answer *HI Kathleen,
oh no, Don't squirt them.. :(
They just don't want to go back home yet. The crossing over and butting is what kids do with the moms when they want her to stop and nurse them.. these girls are just wanting you to stay out with them longer. If you don't want to stay out longer , then carry a pocketful of corn or cookies for the trip back and every few steps give them a cookie (I use animal crackers, small and last longer giving one at a time doesn't overload them) or small handful of corn, this will make going back home happier for them and something to look forward to. I always try to find a positive way out than negative, I don;t reprimand my goats rather reward them for doing what I want them to do, and yes they end up spoiled but at the same time they pretty much are controllable.
Let me know how it works even crackers will do..
goatlady
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