raising just one goat

[The Dude]

We had two goats but lost one in an accident. We're concerned about the other goat being alone. Will she be alright by herself? Mrs Dude

 

[bUg_Farm]

She'll be just alright. She'll rely on you for company though, bleet for you, and do whatever she can to get to you. Goats are social animals and live in herds. I'd really think of getting a second for her (and you).

 

[feathersgalore]

As stated before, goats are herd animals and do better in groups. Get her a buddy.

 

[MrsCountryChick]

I've read they can become 'depressed' from being alone & possibly be easy to get sicknesses.

 

[TheMomma]

I had two pygmy goats, a brother and sister, and the brother died in February of this year

. She was distraught and lonely for a while, constantly at the front door! But I have a potbelly pig and 8 hens and a rooster that she hangs with, and I give her a lot of attention and she seems fine! Eventually I want more goats, but for now everyone is happy. Good luck with yours and sorry for your loss. I know I cried when Mr. Goaty died.

 

[Chatychick]

She will thrive better with another goat. As the others said they are herd animals and do better with a friend.

 

[helmstead]

I agree, they really do better with a friend. I sold my neighbor a single goat last spring. She's home all the time, he's like a dog...but at night I can hear him cry when she puts him up in his pen. I've tried to convince her to get him a friend, but she's unwilling.

I'm actually surprised he doesn't come to visit...

 

[zatsdeb]

yep, she needs a friend. you are in missouri? if you go to petfinder.com and type in goat they have lots of them for adoption in missouri. the ones I found were in union, missouri.

 

[ametauss]

We raised a goat from 6 weeks with no issues.... He thought he was a dog as he was raised with our dog and even did dog tricks....

I wouldn't recommend leaving them alone but if the goat has a buddy be that another goat or dog/pig/horse etc.. he'd be fine...

sorry to hear of your loss

 

[nightshade]

we had a pair of bothers we bought this spring had them 3 months then lost one to a freak accident, 2 days later we went out in the barn and the second was dead, no sickness no nothing. Vet said it died of a broken heart.