I bought a young male goat about a week ago. I have no other goats, though I have a horse, dogs, cats, and a few chickens. The problem is, this goat lies in the corner of the barn all day and will not come out. I have to get him up and lead him to the feed, which he then eats and goes back and lies down. He looks very healthy and shows no signs of sickness. I read that goats like the company of other goats or some type of animal around for companionship, but after a week shouldnt he be up moving around and eating?

-- monty Bradley (monty@bayou.com), August 30, 2001

Answers

Can you get another one for company. I'm not a goat person, have sheep. But they also do much better with company. In fact, if someone comes to buy just one, I usually give them a good deal if they take at least 2, for the animals well being.

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), August 31, 2001.

Goats are miserable kept alone! Get another to keep it company :-)

Lis in Iowa

-- Lis in Iowa (lkb1959@yahoo.com), August 31, 2001.

Hi Monty,

I agree with the other answers. Our first goat was alone and miserable. They are herd animals and must have a companion. Best wishes for a happy goat!!

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), August 31, 2001.

I would take a ride into the vets with him and have him checked out just to be sure he is OK. I would also get another little goat to keep him company. Being alone is a terrible thing....for goats anyway !! Good Luck !!

-- Helena Di Maio (windyacs@ptdprolog.net), August 31, 2001.

I've had goats cry because they were lonely, or separated, but not lie around because of it. I had a buck in Texas who was separated from the does most of the time. He seemed perfectly content to keep company with the heifer...

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), August 31, 2001.

If the vet says the little guy is healthy and you can't get another goat for some reason, try encouraging him to develop a relationship with the horse. They're both herd animals, and may alleviate each other's loneliness somewhat. You'll have to be careful, keeping a barrier between them since some horses will not tolerate other animals (I once saw a draft horse try to stomp a lamb to death when it wandered into the draft horse paddock by mistake). A friend of mine used to keep a pygmy goat with her horse, and they were best friends. The best choice, if you can do so, is to get another goat.

-- Sheryl in ME (radams@sacoriver.net), August 31, 2001.

My horse had a pet pygmy that she treated like a foal. The goat walked all over her, taking the best feed but the horse didn't mind. As a matter of fact, I found that the best thing to trim horse's chestnuts is a goat (gross) Anyway, the pygmy ate something toxic and died, the horse greaved. I'm now looking for another horse but may just give her another goat.

-- Dee in NJ (gdgtur@goes.com), September 02, 2001.

Monty, When my Grandma was alive she raised goats, as a matter of fact I can't remember when she didn't have them. Goats are definately a herd animal and need to be kept with other companion animals. I do agree with the others that you should get vet checked to be on the safe side. But a pal for the little guy will definately improve his emotional state. If you can keep him in close proximaty to the horse they may form a bond. But if not, you may consider getting another for company. I can remember my Grandma saying that a goat should never be kept singly, they should always have company. Good luck.

-- Kim In Indiana (kwcountrygirl@aol.com), September 04, 2001.