Help with new goats

[goataficionado]

I am new to owning goats. We have had two Nigerian Dwarves (males) for about two and a half weeks. They are both about 8 weeks old. I have two questions.

The first is about noise. One goat is extremely noisy! He has gotten noisier since we brought him home. His screaming is quite loud and annoying. At first he would only scream around meal time (we are bottle feeding them), but now he screams almost all the time that we are not outside with them. What can we do about this? I would appreciate any insight. I am quite worried about him bothering our neighbors.

The second question is about disbudding. The goats were disbudded when we bought them - something we might not have chosen to do if given a choice, but ultimately I am glad they won't have horns. They still have the marks on their heads from where they were disbudded. The woman at the farm we bought them from said the fur would grow back within four weeks, but so far I have not seen any change. How long does it typically take for the fur to grow back?

Thank you all for your help!

 

[OneFineAcre]

Some goats are more vocal
I've never had much luck in getting one to quiet down by anything I did
Maybe he will settle down
The fur will grow back
4 weeks is about right

 

[Pioneer Chicken]

How are you feeding them? A set amount of hay or do they get free choice? Are you in the process of weaning? If so, that will definitely contribute to the noise factor. The important part to not do is go out there every time he cries or he will see that you come when he wants you to- not a good habit. Even if it's a pitiful cry and tearing at you, you've got to ignore him. Just go out there when it's feeding time, lockup, or just to spend time with him for a little bit, but don't be out there constantly.

As for disbudding, they usually scab over, then the scabs will loosen and fall off, and finally the fur will grow back. It takes about 2 months for all of that to take place.

Hope that helps and you come to enjoy your goats!

 

[goataficionado]

Thank you both for the advice! I wanted to add - I do enjoy the goats!! They are wonderful and I love them more than I even imagined I would.