How to quiet an anxious goat

[curly_kate]

So this was interesting - when I'm at home, I'll put my 2 NDs on a picket so they can get new pasture. Today was the third day I'd put them out on a more open area. There's no shade there, so I've been moving our truck to create some. Today, after I put them out I got distracted and forgot to move the truck. Well, for the past few hours, Lucky has been yelling and yelling. I thought he was just acting spoiled because when I'd come out, he'd graze like everything was fine, but the minute I went back in, he'd start up again.

So anyway, it occurred to me about a half hour ago that I hadn't moved the truck and they were probably getting a little warm out there, so I went and moved it. Viola, he's happy and quiet now! So I'm not sure if it's because it was too hot, or because he felt safer not being out in the wide open, but whatever the reason, I'm happy not to hear him yell. What do you guys think? Are goats agoraphobic??

 

[OneFineAcre]

Goats are creatures of habit. The like a schedule and they like consistency.

 

[Southern by choice]

I couldn't agree more with OFA.
I will also say IMO Nigies especially are little fraidy cats! LOL
Ours have to be able to see the house from where they are...
We have 30 acres to move them around on and we can never put them anywhere else as they hollar if they can't see the house. Creatures of habit for sure.
All our dairy goats are pretty much this way. Our meat goats don't care where they go just so they have forage.

I also believe that goats are very sensitive to being "exposed". We have LGD's with them at all times and they are great with being out in the open IF the dogs are out there. Of course the dogs are always with them but if by chance they dogs are behind the big gate and not in the front field with them the goats get ancy.
HAving a shelter/hide etc, like your truck may be giving them some security also.

Geeze- our big babies like a night light in the barn.