Can I have only one goat and keep it happy?

[dianneS]

I had only one goat when I was a child. She used to escape all the time to be with people. When she had her two kids she was much happier and they all stayed in the fence.

I have ten goats now and none of them are the escape artists that this first goat was! Every time we repaired the fence for that first, lone goat, we thought we had it foolproof but she'd find a way out. She was like a Houdini goat, we couldn't even figure out how she got out sometimes! But there she was running loose!

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

She'd be happier with a goat friend.

 

[Shepherd in training]

Thank you all for your input! Great advice. I think the way to go is to get her a playmate (oh, I can just see the responses to THAT one....vis-a-vis "odd vs. normal barn cat".
Since your responses, I have put a deposit down on a little 5 week old alpine/saanen doeling. They are at the same goat farm and the owner says when littleone is weaned, she will let the two does board with each other for a week to help them "bond", making my life easier. By the way, they already run around in their own little "baby goat" herd.
Who knew I would come to love goats!?

Cheers,

Cynthia

 

[20kidsonhill]

I am going to apologize for saying this.

Sorry!!!!



But after owning a couple, love might not be the first word that comes to mind. Just saying.

 

[dianneS]

They are at the same goat farm and the owner says when littleone is weaned, she will let the two does board with each other for a week to help them "bond", making my life easier.

That should work out great. I have two boys from the same herd, not the same mom and once they got here, you'd have sworn they were twin brothers.

I only ever brought one single goat into my herd, everyone else came in twos or threes. I will never buy a single goat again. That one little girl seems to be the only one in the herd that doesn't have a real buddy. Everyone else pairs off and this one is always alone. She sometimes snuggles up to the boys that arrived shortly after she did, and she cuddles up with the livestock guardian dog, but she really is kind of a loner.

I just love my goats too!

 

[chandasue]

I think most of us start out loving goats... only to realize it's an addiction/sickness and there's never enough goats.

my goaties too.

 

[AlaskanShepherdess]

I'm another "never thought I'd love goats". I was a city slicker wanna be growing up. I lived in the suburbs, but thought my ideal job was teaching in a big city somewhere with a cozy little apartment. Now I hav 4 acres an hour away from the nearest grocery store, soon to have a cozy little cabin on it and my job is housewife and shepherdess, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

[terrilhb]

They are happier with company. I know the feeling. I love my goats so much. People tell me your boys stink how can you pet them? I guess I have gotten used to it cause I just don't smell it anymore. Everyone wants to pet the girls. Strange people. I love all 4 of them. I would have alot more if I could.

 

[Roll farms]

I always have to remember to change before I go into town if I've been around our bucks...Just because *I* don't smell buck anymore....I can tell once the smell hits them that other people DO.

 

[sunfisher]

I have had only one goat for the past 4 months..is around 9 and has always been with other goats..I'm a stay at home mom with kids in school allday soooo my Bob (goat) gets super lonely and I find myself outside with him most of the day! I love to be with him but I live in the north and it gets really cold here..Let me tell you it has been a long winter..He has amazing eye sight and can see me through the windows in the house and will cry until I come out to see him.. He is fine if I let him out of the pasture and roam free in the yard. I cant wait till May when I get to get my two new goats and I think Bob will appreciate it too My family and friends said I'm a goat freak...They told me to get a hobby! I cant imagin my life without goats now.