The reason I ask is I was sitting out by the chicken pen today and the chickens were all pecking around and the kids (human ones) and I were watching the chickens. When ever a chicken would come to close to me my goat Molly (5 months old) would grab a chicken by the tail with her teeth and try to lift it up and would end up with a mouthful of feathers. The poor chicken would squark. Quite a funny sight!

Also, since I am new to goats I've noticed that they can be quite demanding of your attention. Molly paws at me if I stop petting her and Lucy (9 months old) likes to nip your arm to get attention.

I'm really enjoying them and they are so funny and have the cutest personalities. Should have got goats years ago.

-- anita (anitaholton@mindspring.com), October 01, 2001

Answers

Oh yeah, goats get jealous. The first milk goat we had would not let my daughter (about 9 years old at the time) and I walk together when she was around. She insisted in on getting between us all the time. If my daughter changed to my other side that silly goat would switch too. Another thing, I can't whistle so when I fed her I always sang "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head." In no time she got to where she would come to me from clear out in the pasture as soon as she heard me singing that song.

-- Anna in Iowa (countryanna54@hotmail.com), October 01, 2001.

Oh Yes, Not only of other animal or foul but also humans. Must be cautious with small children and any goats with horns. Mine were also the best guards and weather change indicators. They love to play and any thing is fair game. Enjoy. "lenny"

-- darlene leonhart (dleonhart@sprynet.com), October 02, 2001.

Yes!! My milk goat Clara really gets jealous!! She wants ALL the attention and will make sure no one else can get to me first. She will pull hair (with her mouth) from my angora wether if she thinks he is getting more time with me than she is.But arn't their personalities cute? I love goats!!

-- Jenny Pipes (Auntjenny6@aol.com), October 02, 2001.

You might want to encourage Molly and Lucy to come up with some new ways to show their affection while they are yet young. Being nipped and kicked may be acceptable to other goats, but when they are full grown I would hazard a guess that you will not find it so amusing. Also, it could be dangerous to children (especially the pawing). Good luck! You gotta love 'em!

-- Sheryl in ME (radams@sacoriver.net), October 03, 2001.