Buckling wasnt handled enough - very wild

[Jenneh85]

I Bought Cisco yesterday, built a little enclosure for him to keep him away from my two females.


He is so wild, doesnt like being pet, scratched, picked up, or even touched let alone hand fed.

He takes off and would prefer to be far far far away from you, you try to get close and he puts his head down and starts running.

I was curious, as I cannot find things on taming bucklings/doelings on the net. I am coming here because BYC has helped me so much with one of my chickens.

Any to all advice would be greatly appreciated as I want him to be a bit more happier and easier to manage.

 

[cassie]

First of all, it is going to take a few days for him to calm down and get used to you and his new surroundings. You might later try tying him up short so he can't get away and go in and handle him and lead him around some every day. It sounds like he was a mother raised kid. If so he may never get really tame, but if you keep working with him he will become manageable.

 

[donrae]

I agree not to push him for a few days. He's stressed enough with changing environment, just leave him be and let him adjust.

Beyond that, food is the key to taming down pretty much any animal. I use grain or feed in a coffee can for most all my animals. They learn to connect the sound of the feed rattling with eating something good....good training to have in place in case the animal gets loose

. You can start by offering food by hand, or pouring in a feeder and staying close by, working up to petting/scratching as he eats. I also believe most animals should be at least minimally halter broke, so you can gradually work on that along with feeding.

Just remember, he's a baby, and he's scared. He's not doing it because he doesn't like you or to make you mad.....for all he knows you're going to eat him.


He's adorable, btw!

 

[Jenneh85]

I agree not to push him for a few days. He's stressed enough with changing environment, just leave him be and let him adjust.

Beyond that, food is the key to taming down pretty much any animal. I use grain or feed in a coffee can for most all my animals. They learn to connect the sound of the feed rattling with eating something good....good training to have in place in case the animal gets loose

. You can start by offering food by hand, or pouring in a feeder and staying close by, working up to petting/scratching as he eats. I also believe most animals should be at least minimally halter broke, so you can gradually work on that along with feeding.

Just remember, he's a baby, and he's scared. He's not doing it because he doesn't like you or to make you mad.....for all he knows you're going to eat him.


He's adorable, btw!

First of all, it is going to take a few days for him to calm down and get used to you and his new surroundings. You might later try tying him up short so he can't get away and go in and handle him and lead him around some every day. It sounds like he was a mother raised kid. If so he may never get really tame, but if you keep working with him he will become manageable.

Thank you both for the advice. I will take it slow and steady and earn his trust with bribery. I have a halter but my two females were able to get out of it, I think he would too.

I shall try after we are done causing more stress, since we are building a corner inclosure for him, My husband is putting in a access gate, so we can go in there and tend to his feed & water. I will give him a days break after that. Then start with some raisins and some apples as bribes.

 

[cassie]

Halters are great for mature bucks, but at this stage you would be far better off just putting a collar on him. Make sure it fits correctly so it is not too tight or too loose and leave it on him.

 

[geekyearthmomma]

As mentioned food and time. Also animals can sense the energy you give off so make sure you are perfectly calm move slowly but fluidly and speak calmly around him. I always like to sit in or near the pen. Give him his space but just hang around sitting makes you smaller and less of scary big human.

 

[Jenneh85]

Halters are great for mature bucks, but at this stage you would be far better off just putting a collar on him. Make sure it fits correctly so it is not too tight or too loose and leave it on him.

Going to have to find one online because its so hard to size these goats, with the stock the feed store has its unpredictable.

 

[cassie]

Measure his neck. Substantial dog collar will do just fine.

 

[donrae]

Measure his neck. Substantial dog collar will do just fine.

I was going to say that....we've just used dog collars and they've worked great. I was thinking basic manners and leading, not specifically a halter per se. Halter broke is just the term that comes to mind

 

[rides2far]

You're doing a good thing to gentle him. Goats (among other barnyard critters) need to be handled so if/when hooves need to be trimmed, shots need to be given, or a vet visit is required, they will be manageable. Our neighbor has 2 adorable mini horses. The mare was handled before he bought her, but her baby is completely wild. It is a major undertaking to get his feet trimmed. He has to be cornered, tranquilized, etc. I have volunteered to help them with the little guy, but they haven't taken me up on it yet