Howdy goat-folks. I just picked up a new Pygora doe yesterday, she's about 2 years old. I put her by herself for a few hours, and when the 'conversation' across the shared fence with the other girls didn't amount to much, I tossed her in with them. MISTAKE! My LaMancha doe nearly beat the hell outta' her. The LaMancha is normally the 'low man' in the pen. Actually, she was not only aggressive, but was acting like a buck, doing all the gross things bucks do (licking, pawing, mounting, pulling her hair out), and she wouldn't leave that poor little thing alone. Well, now Miss Lucy is by herself again on the other side of the fence, totally traumatized. (I'm giving her a little Rescue Remedy... thinking now that I might get something for Holly for aggressiveness.) How long would I keep her there till all the hubbub dies down? She has horns, so she's not totally defenseless. The other does are Angoras and are interested but not as aggressive; they're also not too much bigger than she is. Suggestions greatly appreciated! dh in nm

-- debra in nm (dhaden@nmtr.unm.edu), February 26, 2001

Answers

Hi,

I think they will likely be just fine-they just have to work things out. Our bottome of the totem pole doe was really rough on the yun doe kid we put in-for a day or so-I almot pulled her back out, but decided to see how it went for a few hours first. The bully made it abundantly clear that the little one was not going to edge her out of her position-and then peace has reigned since then.

Is the new goat hurt? If not, I think I would be more inclined to let them work out their differences without interference. That is just the way goats do things. It looks worse I think than it really is-they can be so mean-biting ears or trying to bite a tail or pullig hair-and butting them into a fence...but they all do it-and seem to get over it. I think the ones who are sure of their pecking order (the queen, number two and so forth) have already established rank-so the last one just takes the opportunity when presented, to do the same.

As for acting so buck-like...not sure on this-but I expect it probably was all for posturing for position in the herd.

Hope that helps-I am sure others will answer too.

Sarah

-- Sarah (heartsongacres@juno.com), February 26, 2001.

For the sake of your herd health you should quarnateen her from the herd for 21 days minimum. During this time worm her and trim her feet, perhaps CAE/CL testing her also. You don't want another herds worm, lice, CL, etc problems running through your healthy girls!! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), February 26, 2001.

They'll be just fine. But, I would quarantine her, like suggested above.

Your 'runt' doe is just asserting that she has a little authority. Its common in most animals (especially dogs, rabbits, etc) -

Your "low doe" will probably be back in her rightful place soon as the initial dominance game plays out.

-- Sue Diederich (willow666@rocketmail.com), February 28, 2001.

The 'runt doe' is acting just like human runts do when they get a job with a uniform!

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), February 28, 2001.