A goat and a friend?

[sfgwife]

we know that goats need a friend... but what we cannot seem to find is this.... if the goat has kids is that enough of a friend or it needs be another adult?

 

[sourland]

Kids will serve as company for their mother.

 

[BYC910]

I have seen a single goat with a horse and a donkey and even a cow . Kids will be plenty of company . They are a flock animal . But that doesn't mean they can't survive just fine alone . If they are a pet then your their company .

 

[sfgwife]

Kids will serve as company for their mother.

Thanks!

 

[sfgwife]

I have seen a single goat with a horse and a donkey and even a cow . Kids will be plenty of company . They are a flock animal . But that doesn't mean they can't survive just fine alone . If they are a pet then your their company .

Thanks. We only have chickens, turkeys and rabbits here now. The animals here are livestock not pets. So we just werent sure if kids would make it ok or not. Didnt want to find a nanny with kids and think it enough friend wise and make nanny not happy.

 

[Zoomie]

A word of caution, it can depend on the individual goat. Some goats are OK with this, others are hyper-aware and tense. Just like they would be if they were alone. So do be careful, and maybe work out with the seller that if the goat is totally freaked by being alone that they will take her back. Also... just to be sure we are all singing off the same page... the kids have to be born already. A pregnant doe won't work; one that has already kidded, might.

 

[sfgwife]

A word of caution, it can depend on the individual goat. Some goats are OK with this, others are hyper-aware and tense. Just like they would be if they were alone. So do be careful, and maybe work out with the seller that if the goat is totally freaked by being alone that they will take her back. Also... just to be sure we are all singing off the same page... the kids have to be born already. A pregnant doe won't work; one that has already kidded, might.

Thanks. My reason for askin it was... did we need buy two adults and then have the kids. The doe we are lookin at is due to kid early march.. and we dont mind waitin til she does kid to get her if that would be enough for friend. But just didnt want to not get another adult and have a not happy doe with only her kids. And... another part to that was if we did need two adults together wanted make sure to get two from the same breeder that did well together instead of learnin one adult with kids wouldnt be good and the breeder not have another doe that did well with the one we are lookin at once we figured out she wasnt happy with only her kids. . Because for us... havin new animals means learnin ALL we can before we bring it home. This is part of it. . And we feel like if we needed get two adults and one the doe with new kids not to add more stress to her by havin new babies in a new home and needin figure out the whole dominance thing with a stranger goat to boot... that to us would t be kind.

 

[Latestarter]

I'm sure she will be fine until her kids come. Once the kids arrive, they will do fine as company as she raises them. Every goat is different, as any human is different. Most do just fine, but there are always the outliers that don't. Just keep an eye on her and maybe the seller will "loan" you another companion until the kids come if needed. Generally speaking, goats being a herd animal, they really "should" be provided a companion of like species. If you can wait until she kids, that will solve the problem entirely.

Keep in mind it is not a good thing to move a heavily pregnant goat. And moving a goat, especially right after the added stress of kidding can cause a parasite bloom so plan to have a fecal done about a week after you get her to make sure she's not compromised. Ask that the seller give her the CD&T shot about a month before kidding if you don't have her. If you do, then you should plan on getting her the CD&T shot.

Please consider joining the goat folks over on backyardherds. Lots of great folks over there.