I have a Toggenburg that has been raised with other goats. I just lost my other goat which leaves my Togg alone. My Togg (if all goes well) will kid in April. Should I get another goat to keep her company or will it be o.k. to keep her alone until she has her babies? At this point she seems o.k. with being alone however she does look for the other goat. I go to her several times a day and brush her and talk to her and just sit with her. She crys when I leave her and trys to follow me. Will her being alone creat to much stress for her?

Thanks Again!

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 09, 2002

Answers

Goats love companionship of other goats, if she were mine, I'd get another goat... probably a young doe or a wether would be best. I don't think it would cause her too much stress, just be sure to quarantine the new one and then gradually introduce them under close supervision.

-- Sharon in AL (Sharonspaws@aol.com), January 09, 2002.

George - I had 2 does that had grown up together. When I lost the one, I debated just as you are. I did not replace my doe - however, the doe that was left wasn't alone in the barn. Even tho she was afraid of my horses, they were still bodies around. You could bring in another goat and they might not even get along. I would wait it out, as hard as it is. She will want to be bothered less and less as her pregnancy goes along. Just my opinion.

-- Dianne (willow@config.com), January 09, 2002.

Sharon, you mentioned something that I had forgotten (QUARENTEEN) I have read that so many times but it did slip my mind thanks for bringing that up. I would have hated to come back and said,"I got a new got put her in with Ruddabegga three days ago and now Ruddabegga is sick" With that advise and with Dianne's I have decided to keep Ruddabegga by herself and hope that all goes well.

O.K. ;-) Ruddabegga was named by her previous owners, I hate the name. I will not say it in public and when I do say it my tounge gets all twisted. I am trying to think of a unique name for her. She is reddish. She likes attention but only on her terms. She blats all the time. She is hyper. She has a nice build for a goat (I guess) she is bossy. She will eat as much as she can and always wants to be first fed (grain) even chickens,rabbits and dogs wait until she is fed. She is brave if she sees something she doesn't like she approached it and snorts. She is curious about everything. She likes to stand with her front feet on anything that will support her. no matter what is in my hand she has to smell it to see if it is food. She runs to the direction of her pen that she hears traffic or people coming and calls out. She likes everyone. I'm also sure that if she gets out in the summer I will see lots of damage to my plants. Have you got any names other than what I say when she gets to pushy?:)Again, thanks for your advise and thanks about the quarenteen reminder I would have hated to let Vicki know I forgot that one.

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 09, 2002.

You could call her "veggie" :-)

-- Sharon in AL (Sharonspaws@aol.com), January 09, 2002.

LOL Sharon, can't be two of us on the same property being called "veggie"

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 09, 2002.

George, just call her Ruddy. Or call her Turnip...since that's what a rutabaga is! (Although I really can't see any self-respecting goat answering to Turnip!!!) Actually, if she has good name recognition you might want to try something that has similar sounds in the name (starts with "r" and has some of the other letters in it) if you want her to catch on to her new name easily. Like Ruby or Reba.

-- Sheryl in ME (radams@sacoriver.net), January 09, 2002.

Ruddabegga = Rube or Ruby :)

-- westbrook (westbrook_farms@yahoo.com), January 10, 2002.

I like Ruby. Thanks

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 10, 2002.

I thought I would give an update on "Rudy" she is doing great. She seems to be much more friendly towards me. I go down and sit with her. I talk silly to her as I'm brushing her. I'm trying to teach her how to shake hands (actually she gave me the idea, she picks her leg up for me to pet it so I say shake when she does that).She is not crying for Frisby so much. She now follows me where she didn't use to. When I go to the barn I give her the attention that Frisby loved getting and I think "Rudy" enjoys it. It seems strange going to the barn though and not having Frisby put her head on my shoulder when I sit down but I think rudy has that on her mind also. I think I paid more attention to Frisby because she was older and just seemed like she wanted the attention more. I know I played favorites with Frisby because she was so cute with those long white ears but, I am going to make it up to Rudy now that Frisby is gone.I can't believe how much I like goats, they are almost like dogs except for the goats never went to the bathroom in my house and I can't say the same for the dogs.

Sheryl, how much snow do you have? Most of ours melted today. It was a beautiful day about 48 and sunny.

Well, I just thought I would fill you in on Rudy. Oh, I have to tell you the guys at work really hounded me because I worried so much about Frisby but they sure are saying how bad they feel now. I do have one guy at work who thinks goats are addorable too and we make the other guys roll their eyes when we get talking about them. This other guy would love to get goats now but him and his wife are thinking of heading to Florida, still everyday he ask me what's happening with goats. I have really been on a learning mission with them though but that's o.k. I'm still glad I decided to go with goats.I am excited about Rudy kidding in April but because of Frisby I know I'm going to be a mad-man when the time comes.

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 10, 2002.

LOL I just realized I have been calling her Rudy and not Ruby. I was also calling her Rudy at the barn. I think that means I'm going to call her Rudy instead of Ruby.

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), January 10, 2002.

George, most of our snow went away today, but we're supposed to get more tomorrow. I'm pleased...it doesn't seem like winter without snow!

I'm glad you and Rudy are striking up a closer acquaintance. I think goats are some of the best company you can keep!

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), January 12, 2002.