Should I get a friend for my goat? edit *Found one! Need opinions!*

[Picklestix7866]

Hi! We have one wether goat, and I'm debating whether or not he needs a friend. We got him free because he picked on the other ladies goats. I don't know whether he was with other male goats and he was fighting with them or what. I do know that he likes our dog.

He has big horns and I'm worried that if he doesn't get along with a new goat he could hurt them. He likes to chase our neighbor's dogs down the road, and he will ram any other animal besides OUR dogs and people.

Does he need a friend? He seems okay, but he might be bored. We have a fenced in area with a shelter/dog house that we built. The house has two separate areas, so even if they didn't get along they would each have their own shelter to sleep in.

If I were to get another goat, should I get a doe?

How much would another goat eat? Would it make a big difference in feed?

Here is a pic of him:

 

[dfchaser]

A friend for him would be great, goats dont like to be alone. Plus, they are so funny to watch play together.

 

[abluechipstock]

absolutely, goats are social creatures, he is a wether right? i'd get him another wether to be his friend, he'll probably boss it around for awhile but they will learn to get along, i have 2 nigie bucks in with a nubian wether, they all play and rough house all the time, since yours has horns, i'd probably look for a goat with horns to be his friend, people always have wethers for sale cheap

 

[Picklestix7866]

So you think that he would get along better with another wether rather then a doe? I would've though he would have liked a female for a friend.

 

[username taken]

Yes a goat needs a friend BUT THIS GOAT ALREADY HAS A FRIEND - your dog.

Its not necessary to get another goat, particularly since he doesnt exactly like goats. My bet is he was socialised with humans and perhaps one dog, but not goats.

My first boy is exactly the same. I had him for six or so years by himself with only the dog and me for company. He doesnt like other goats or other dogs.

 

[Picklestix7866]

Quote:
You know that's what I kinda figure. He seems happy enough, and he loves when we let him out to run around the yard, cuz the dog likes to play with him and he gets all excited and does a little hop in the air and starts boinging around. Its just that everyone seems to think that goats need other goats.

 

[ksacres]

Quote:
If you aren't planning on breeding, it's not good to keep a doe as a pet. Wethers are much better suited for the "pet" thing.

Does get cranky and LOUD when they go into heat. Not to mention a doe that is never bred can get hormonal issues.


IMO, YES, you need another goat. Look for one around the same age/size and with horns, since your current goat has horns. I'm not a fan of horns, but it wouldn't be fair to put a non-horned goat in with a horned one.

 

[Chatychick]

I agree...

 

[Chirpy]

I am totally in agreement with ksacres on this one. It's rare that a goat wouldn't be much happier with another goat friend. Find a wether closes to his size/age and with horns.

I'm guessing you'll be amazed at how much happier he is with that new friend.

 

[username taken]

This goat has obviously not been socialised with other goats ... therefore he will not be happier with another goat.

He has been kept with other goats before ... and it didnt work out. All this boy's behaviour points to an animal which was not socialised with goats - doesnt think he's a goat - and therefore will be much happier with the dog as his friend, compared with a goat.

Read closely what Pickle wrote - the goat is aggressive towards other goats, but jumps around and plays with the dog.

Its a no brainer for me. The dog is his buddy. And he's perfectly happy.