Advice?

[KaylorFarms]

I got a male pygmy goat and he is terrified of us. He runs around in circles when we try to touch him. He also won't eat unless you force it in his mouth. All he does is sit in a corner and doesn't move. What kind of treats can I give him? He is 3 months. Also how do I get him to drink water?

 

[KaylorFarms]

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

How long have you had him? Was he "hand raised" prior to you getting him or taken directly off his dam at the time of sale? What is it you are forcing into his mouth -- are you bottle feeding or trying to force hay/grain/etc? If it's a bottle, that goes back to the question of whether he was taken directly off his dam at sale.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My guess is it was doe raised and probably never handled by people. They can be crazy little goats. I would sit quietly with him a couple of times a day. Do you have another goat for him. A single goat will be terribly lonely as they are herd animals. It probably will never be as tame as a bottle raised kid, but with enough time it should be a bit more friendly.

I wouldn't worry about it eating and drinking. It will when it calms down. It has no idea what has happened to it, and it's probably terrified.

Give it good grass hay and a bucket of water. Go easy with any sort of grains as it probably doesn't need any, and they can be deadly if you feed too much. I prefer hay, and grass, and not much else in the diet. A good loose goat mineral and free access to baking soda are two other important things you will need to provide.

 

[KaylorFarms]

How long have you had him? Was he "hand raised" prior to you getting him or taken directly off his dam at the time of sale? What is it you are forcing into his mouth -- are you bottle feeding or trying to force hay/grain/etc? If it's a bottle, that goes back to the question of whether he was taken directly off his dam at sale.

The lady who sold him to us said she never messed with him. She never held him or bottle fed him. But the female is a bottle baby and is the sweetest thing!

 

[KaylorFarms]

Thank you so much oldhenlikesdogs!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The lady who sold him to us said she never messed with him. She never held him or bottle fed him. But the female is a bottle baby and is the sweetest thing!

So he has a goat buddy in with him? That's a great thing - the goat buddy will help him to calm down and to know where the feed/water are and what to do with them. The more you try to force things like feeding the more distressed he will be, I would leave that alone. Seeing the other goat interact calmly with you will also help. Take a good book out there with them, sit down and read. This will allow him to adjust to your sight, smell, movements, noises, etc without you being focused on him -- if he approaches, ignore him rather than trying to reach for him. He'll be okay - he has just had a LOT of upheaval in his little life.

 

[KaylorFarms]

Ok, Thanks!!