Help...Aggression

cteague

Loving the herd life
Joined
Feb 9, 2015
Messages
266
Reaction score
136
Points
153
We have 2 does, 2 wethers, and a young buck. The buck is the newest in the heard. And we have had him 7 months. The does have never given him the time of day. And everyone has kinda bumped him around. We recently moved to a new farm and things have escalated! They are taking running shots and slamming into him. Knocking him down. They have just started this since the move. Will they ever work this out? I thought that dominance thing would already be settled. Could it be the move causing the behavior? We are getting ready to make 2 separate fields. But I hope they don't hurt him before we can get the other one built. He can just be standing minding his own business and it will happen. Could it be jealousy? One worried mom! TIA
 

alsea1

True BYH Addict
Joined
Dec 15, 2012
Messages
1,709
Reaction score
502
Points
243
Location
Alsea, Oregon
It seems like any change in a goats world can trigger some major position wrestling. To some degree they just have to work it out. However it you feel he is going to be hurt you may have to intervene. Put him with a low ranking goat. At least then he only has one goat to contend with. Are these animals horned? If so I would def. intervene on his behalf.
 

goats&moregoats

True BYH Addict
Joined
May 9, 2014
Messages
925
Reaction score
1,037
Points
243
Location
Vermont
Hoping you get your separate pastures soon to avoid unexpected deliveries down the road. I find it strange myself that it's the does...mine all but ignored the little bucks until they decided they were "man" enough to show interest in the ladies. Then they spent more time running away from the little buggers.

He definitely needs to be separated, especially if they have horns or someone is going to get seriously injured.

Now my wether was a whole different story. He wanted those little ones to know right off that all the girls were his regardless of the fact that no baby making was going to happen with him. He is currently housed with my lone little buck. However, he is to aggressive toward the little guy for my liking. I believe I am going to retain one buckling from the later bred does if they drop one. Then it can be with my young buck and I think the wether may become meat as he is to food aggressive for the girls. We will see on this one a bit later in this early part of the year.
 

maritown

Overrun with beasties
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
98
Reaction score
79
Points
93
Location
North Carolina
I agree with the above, I would try to get him seperated ASAP especially if your herd is horned.
Any change or excitement can cause goats to get a little riled up. Mine are happy together all day long, but if something new happens or changes around them like being in a new pen, or seeing a dog outside the fencing, they immediately butt eachother for a short period of time. :idunno
Usually this isn't an issue and is resolved amongst themselves quickly, but if you feel your buck is at risk for injury and the butting has continued for an extended period of time, I would seperate him; even if it's to a smaller pen or enclosure while your pasture is being built. I don't know if you have facilities that would allow it, but I have seen bucks going at it for an extensive time and seperating one into a pen that was in sight of the other bucks for a few hours remidied the fighting. Good luck!
 

cteague

Loving the herd life
Joined
Feb 9, 2015
Messages
266
Reaction score
136
Points
153
Yes they are horned. They only thing that has saved him is he has a coat on. But they still knock him down. We held the dominate doe down and sat him on top of her. But I think it just made her mad. We are gonna get started ASAP on the new fence. Thanks everyone for responding
 
Top