Does One Goat Get Lonely

[anythingbutsandy]

My uncle gave me a boer/spanish mixed doe who was rejected by her mom at birth (she had twins). She is 6 weeks old now and has been bottle fed. She seems to be thriving but I'm worried about her being lonely.

Most of the time she stays in her pen. We do let her out when we're in the yard and she follows us around. We have a 5 y.o. dog who loves her and a puppy who wants to play with her, which the goat doesn't like. And we're also going to be getting some chickens in a month or so, but they won't be free range.

I've been looking for another baby to keep her company. I've found a pigmy goat that is a year old. Would those two breeds (and age difference) be okay together? Am I being silly thinking that the goat is lonely? My husband says the goat is fine by herself.

Thanks in advance for your response.

Sandra

 

[ksalvagno]

She needs a buddy. Goats really aren't fine by themselves. A lonely goat is usually a goat that gets into a lot of trouble. It isn't breed as much as the individual goats getting along. There will be some "fighting" when they are first put together. They are just working out herd order. I would say get her a friend.

 

[glenolam]

Welcome and x2 what ksalvagno said. She needs a friend. You'll see she'll perk up more and start to have more fun when a friend is introduced. Check out the threads on goat toys, too, you can find some easy things to make for your goats to play on!

 

[SarahFair]

One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do

 

[anythingbutsandy]

Thanks everyone. That's exactly what I was thinking.