Help! Wild baby goats!

dproaps · 07-12-2008, 11:06 PM

Well, we picked up our two baby Nigerian dwarf goats today and put them in a secure stall. They were supposed to be tame but they are wild as little deer. Does anyone have some tips to socialize and tame them?

horsebabyhehe · 07-12-2008, 11:14 PM

there is a good chance they are tame they're just acting on their "flight" instinct being in a new scary environment. spend some time just sitting in their stall and letting them come "check you out" goats are very social animals and it won't take them long to come around and you'll be complaining about them always being in your back pocket.

**taelesean** · 07-12-2008, 11:15 PM

I'd take some treats and a book and go sit with them in their stall. Don't try to approach them, just park yourself somwhere and read. Eventually, they'll see you aren't an immediate threat and come over to investigate. Give them a treat when they do.

dproaps · 07-12-2008, 11:23 PM

Thanks, I will try that tomorrow. What would be a good treat that they would like?

**taelesean** · 07-12-2008, 11:29 PM

Probably just about anything edible, but I would imagine small horse treats would go over well.

dproaps · 07-12-2008, 11:41 PM

Would it be easier to tame them if I separate them?

I do have some small apple cinnamon treats.

tallyho · 07-13-2008, 08:46 AM

goats love cookies, dry oatmeal, fruit, corn....pretty much anything we think of as a treat.......they also love being brushed, as they will usually freeze in place once you start brushing........however, if theyare that flighty, might be best to wait for the brushing and just concentrate on petting them.....

**Range** · 07-13-2008, 09:46 AM

No, don't separate them. Often, one will be braver than the other...so as you're sitting there, one will approach and get a treat and the other one will be like..."HEY, I want a treat, too!" They will mimic each other.

I agree with everyone else. Time with them and treats. After they'll come up to you, then you can work on finding their itchy spots. Mine like to be scratched at the base of their necks and below that by the legs.

Peter-John's Love · 07-13-2008, 12:11 PM

Just another thought on it...I agree with the advice so far....but you may want to first just feed the "treats" so they know they like it. I have goat grain. I shake the bucket and feed it. They are smart and social and will quickly learn you are the "treat buddy". While they eat the treat I just had the treat closer to me until I would pet them while they ate. Goats love to be loved, in a short time you will have them "eating out of your hand".

WARNING...Long ago, a friend fed her pony sugar cubes and kept them in a hind pocket...thought it was cute that the pony tried to get the cube on it own until one day when it got hold of more than the sugar cube

Goats can bite (normally they don't) but they will also knock you over to get the treat. Watch funny videos of kids at petting zoos

, Sooooo also teach manners. They are smart and will learn that they like you and your treats. They are easy to tame, but harder to train to undo a bad behavior.

I have mine get on top of the goat houses to get the treat, so they don't jump on people. One puts her feet up on Peter-John's lap when he is in the wheelchair for him to feed her. Then "off" to get her down when he is done. And she knows "play this game right...you play it more often."

Congrats on the new "kids"

Did you post pics?

Goats love to have their pictures posted on HT. Honest they do!!!!!

Plan to laugh loads with your new babies, as goats are like a piece of God's humor in action.

Sassy · 07-13-2008, 12:21 PM

Yup dido to above posts. Congrats on your new additions. Definalty post pictures. I can't wait till we have our own land so we can get a goat or three again

.... I find them lovable and very social and full of silly charactor. Miss my Rocky to bits

!!!!

ARSPSB · 07-13-2008, 04:35 PM

Weve found cereal is great for getting them to come around. You just cant give them alot of it. But you can get like cheerios which isnt as much sugar and they still love them. They are great for helping the wild ones to come on over.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New baby goats	B2Buckskins	Farm Animal	22	03-10-2008 07:43 PM
More baby goats!	Amrwmblds2	Farm Animal	16	03-01-2008 08:51 PM
Baby goats here too! pictures	Amrwmblds2	Farm Animal	11	02-25-2008 09:41 PM
New baby..... Goats.	ARSPSB	Farm Animal	12	12-18-2007 02:10 PM
Having baby goats	Karen Cole	Farm Animal	3	12-13-2007 04:19 PM

07-12-2008, 11:06 PM
dproaps Coming two Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 1,528	Help! Wild baby goats! Well, we picked up our two baby Nigerian dwarf goats today and put them in a secure stall. They were supposed to be tame but they are wild as little deer. Does anyone have some tips to socialize and tame them? __________________ Those who suffer with the suffering are dancing to the rhythm of God.

07-12-2008, 11:14 PM
horsebabyhehe Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 557	there is a good chance they are tame they're just acting on their "flight" instinct being in a new scary environment. spend some time just sitting in their stall and letting them come "check you out" goats are very social animals and it won't take them long to come around and you'll be complaining about them always being in your back pocket. __________________ The mind is a terrible place for a frog to sit and stuff his face!!!

07-12-2008, 11:15 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,677	I'd take some treats and a book and go sit with them in their stall. Don't try to approach them, just park yourself somwhere and read. Eventually, they'll see you aren't an immediate threat and come over to investigate. Give them a treat when they do. __________________

07-12-2008, 11:23 PM
dproaps Coming two Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 1,528	Thanks, I will try that tomorrow. What would be a good treat that they would like? __________________ Those who suffer with the suffering are dancing to the rhythm of God.

07-12-2008, 11:29 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,677	Probably just about anything edible, but I would imagine small horse treats would go over well. __________________

07-12-2008, 11:41 PM
dproaps Coming two Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 1,528	Would it be easier to tame them if I separate them? I do have some small apple cinnamon treats. __________________ Those who suffer with the suffering are dancing to the rhythm of God.

07-13-2008, 08:46 AM
tallyho Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Trappe, PA Posts: 1,117	goats love cookies, dry oatmeal, fruit, corn....pretty much anything we think of as a treat.......they also love being brushed, as they will usually freeze in place once you start brushing........however, if theyare that flighty, might be best to wait for the brushing and just concentrate on petting them.....

07-13-2008, 09:46 AM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,751	No, don't separate them. Often, one will be braver than the other...so as you're sitting there, one will approach and get a treat and the other one will be like..."HEY, I want a treat, too!" They will mimic each other. I agree with everyone else. Time with them and treats. After they'll come up to you, then you can work on finding their itchy spots. Mine like to be scratched at the base of their necks and below that by the legs. __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

07-13-2008, 12:11 PM
Peter-John's Love Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 758	Just another thought on it...I agree with the advice so far....but you may want to first just feed the "treats" so they know they like it. I have goat grain. I shake the bucket and feed it. They are smart and social and will quickly learn you are the "treat buddy". While they eat the treat I just had the treat closer to me until I would pet them while they ate. Goats love to be loved, in a short time you will have them "eating out of your hand". WARNING...Long ago, a friend fed her pony sugar cubes and kept them in a hind pocket...thought it was cute that the pony tried to get the cube on it own until one day when it got hold of more than the sugar cube Goats can bite (normally they don't) but they will also knock you over to get the treat. Watch funny videos of kids at petting zoos , Sooooo also teach manners. They are smart and will learn that they like you and your treats. They are easy to tame, but harder to train to undo a bad behavior. I have mine get on top of the goat houses to get the treat, so they don't jump on people. One puts her feet up on Peter-John's lap when he is in the wheelchair for him to feed her. Then "off" to get her down when he is done. And she knows "play this game right...you play it more often." Congrats on the new "kids" Did you post pics? Goats love to have their pictures posted on HT. Honest they do!!!!! Plan to laugh loads with your new babies, as goats are like a piece of God's humor in action. __________________ Love is a visible gift of God like when you see Peter-John's and Darlin's souls touch

07-13-2008, 12:21 PM
Sassy Started Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern Alberta, Canada Posts: 2,332	Yup dido to above posts. Congrats on your new additions. Definalty post pictures. I can't wait till we have our own land so we can get a goat or three again.... I find them lovable and very social and full of silly charactor. Miss my Rocky to bits !!!! __________________ A horse which stops dead just before a jump and thus propels its rider into a graceful arc provides a splendid excuse for general merriment. ~ DUKE OF ENDINBURGH ~

07-13-2008, 04:35 PM
ARSPSB Yearling Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: maricopa, arizona Posts: 516	>> Weve found cereal is great for getting them to come around. You just cant give them alot of it. But you can get like cheerios which isnt as much sugar and they still love them. They are great for helping the wild ones to come on over.