Greetings,

I have four hornless dairy goats all one yr old. The LaMancha doe was always the "queen" and ruled the bunch until the Togg/Ober X wether grew taller, much heavier, and bolder back last winter. Now he's the "King" and decides who eats where, etc... The LaMancha is second in command and the other two does constantly challenge their ranking too. I guess no one wants to be a peon...

I'm this wethers favorite human as I bottle fed him for three months(he was a bonus, twin to a doe). He has always been extremely easy to handle and loves attention- and is becomeing a great pack goat (doesn't mind water at all) but he is ~so~ bossy to all the other goats, and my son told me that he got butted yesterday too. That's a first for us humans.

Yesterday the wether sent the Sannen doe flying sideways and she lost her balance and slid around upside down and under part of the electric fence. It took her "forever" to find which feet went where-as she wallowed upside down, - worried me at first, but she is fine.

I recognise that there will always be a goat "heirarchy", but is it common for a wether to take over? Also, what's the best way to let this goat know that he's not our boss? I knocked him around when ever he wanted something near me yesterday- just like he does to the does. I figured he'd understand that signal best. Husband told the kids to "knock him into next week" if he acts agressive again.

Funny, the wether didn't start this until last week when the children used a new brush on the goats to brush out the winter hair and "angora" stuff. I suppose it's just an age and season factor???

Any suggestions? BTW, this goats a 4-H project- he will never be meat on the table. We just want to let this usually sweet goat know he can't get away with being bratty to the humans.

Thanks, Wendy Hannum SE Ohio

-- Wendy Hannum (wendy@NOSPAMskywardinternet.com), April 08, 2002

Answers

You may need to pen him seperately. Even though he has no testicles he is still a male. I have one wether who did the same thing, at about the same age, and another who is just the most docile and gentle goat ever. You need to feed him differently than the does anyway, so it might work out better for your management.

I don't think fighting with him will help you. If you pen him seperately and you spnd some quality time with him and give him positive reinforcement he will most likely learn his parameters. I think right now he just wants to be the boss of all and sees you as his herd just like the does. Good luck!!!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), April 08, 2002.

I can't imagine your does allowing a wether or a buck to take over as queen :) After everyone is bred, we will put a buck in each pen to cover any that recycle, the buck always takes a subordinate roll in the herd, even though they outweigh the does. I would not allow a wether who is nonproductive to bully, run over, or eat the grain of productive does. Sounds like you have pen building to do, the wethers sound like they need a place of their own. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (Nubians) (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 08, 2002.

Well, leave it to one of "us" to be ab-normal, but this wether really does "rule the roost". I'd say that the original queen co-rules... LOL! Only time he is bossy is around the food, so I keep the goats separate.

He's like a big pooch that loves attention, and to go for walks on a leash. He's so good to walk in mud and water on our walks and I hope to keep working him into a pack goat. Even so, I will separate him when /if the does become pregnant later this year.

-- Wendy Hannum (wendy@skywardinternet.com), April 11, 2002.