Can goats actually harm someone?

[WooingWyandotte]

I disbud too. Most people with dairy goats do. I premedicate the kids with banamine at least 30 minutes before doing it, and it is over in seconds. I know it hurts, it is a hot iron (which I managed to burn myself with once, derp), but it is fast. And you're right, they're back to being playful, bouncy kids as soon as they are set down. They also scream a lot from just getting forcibly held, let alone getting disbudded.

I am against horns after I nearly lost an eye to a horn. A horned goat threw his head backwards and nailed me hard on the cheek. Left a lovely shiner. An inch higher, and I'd get to wear an eyepatch like a pirate. The kicker, he did it by accident. If it hurt that bad from an accident, I'd hate to think the damage he'd have done if he got aggressive. BTW, that goat is in freezer camp, as he was being raised for that purpose.

FYI, that same horned goat also killed another goat with his horns. He hooked a horn around her collar (lesson learned, collars as bad unless they are breakaway) and throttled her. It happened in the time it took me to go get some treats from the house for them, since I'd been out there with the goats, and left to slice some apples for the group. I came back, she was dead. He did manage to rip the collar free, and it was still in his horns. Having to tell her breeder what happened was the worst.

Yeah, telling breeders about the bad things that did in their animals is never fun. I've certainly had my fair share of that. :/

 

[H Diamond]

Honest to goodness, I've had kids scream more at being restrained before disbudding than during the actual process.
When I first got goats, I had a horned buck and swore up and down I never would again. He was stuck in the fence all the time. He caught me one day (not on purpose) and I was all bruised. Then we sold him, and last year I got two bucks, and by the time I had time off work, their buds were too big, so I left them go. And now one gets stuck in the fence constantly, and one I have all duct taped up because he catches the other one's foot between his horns has almost broken it several times. I just will not EVER have a horned goat again. It's just not worth it. The kids get disbudded, go take a slurp from mom or a bottle, then are off bouncing again. It's no different than banding a buck kid, branding a calf, cutting a calf, or letting your doe conceive and give birth for that matter! I love my animals, and they are all spoiled, but the reality is... sometimes are animals are going to go through some pain. I've been told that disbudding my baby goats is selfish. Well... it's no more selfish as making a doe carry kids for 5 months then go through the birthing process just so you can have those cute little babies. Having animals isn't all roses.

 

[Jessica McBride]

My sweet buck who is a very loving goat had a bad day, was a bit on the feisty side and mistook my knee for one of his goat family. He stood by my side and licked me till help arrived. Knee broken at the tibial plateau. Yes even friendly goats can cause you injury. Even if you are vigilant and observant, injury can happen in a fraction of a second. As soon as I am healed, I will be right back out there with my buddy goat.

 

[cassie]

Bucks charging people? People being chased by one? In all the years I had goats I NEVER had a buck threaten me except for one time. That one was a not-too-bright youngster and he never did it again. In my experience aggressive goats are caused by some idiot teasing them or deciding it is fun to play butting games with them.