Keeping a Breeding Buck Mannerly and Compliant

[mydakota]

I have had goats for about 3 years now, but have not owned my own buck before. I have brought several in on breeding leases, and had a chance to decide what (besides breeding and conformation, obviously) is important to me in a buck that will be a permanent resident here. I had one flighty and hard to catch, but not at all mean buck. I had one super sweet, toddler could lead him through a herd of does on a piece of dental floss buck, and one I would not have turned my back on for love or money. (he went home pretty quick) Needless to say, I liked the toddler-and-dental-floss buck best.

I recently purchased a yearling buck of my own. I am really happy with him. He has a great, easy-going disposition and has been handled a ton. What are your best tips for keeping the boys friendly, safe, mannerly, and fun to handle? I have had horses most of my life, and have handled/ridden quite a few stallions, so I don't think I am completely clueless, but not every tidbit of horse information translates to goats. Some info is species specific, I am sure. When you do have to reprimand, what is your best advice for how to do that and under what conditions? I want my 150 lb of joy to grow up into a 250 lb joy, if you know what I mean.

 

[beckyburkheart]

i'm another one that would love to hear answers to this ... i've handled stallions for years (currently have three), but the buck we raised and didn't handle much was just wild ... and the grown one we bought is sweet as pie. we have a baby that we're likely keeping ... how much and what kind of handling does he need to keep him friendly but respectful?

 

[hcppam]

i'm another one that would love to hear answers to this ... i've handled stallions for years (currently have three), but the buck we raised and didn't handle much was just wild ... and the grown one we bought is sweet as pie. we have a baby that we're likely keeping ... how much and what kind of handling does he need to keep him friendly but respectful?

X3

 

[terrilhb]

All I can tell you what I do for my 2 bucks when they are being michevious I spray them with the water hose. But it only works so much. Interested too to see answers.

 

[elevan]

Well...I have small breeds but some of the same stuff would apply.
First and foremost you must be the head of the herd...meaning you take no "monkey business" from the bucks period. You need to handle them frequently - hooves, body checks, FAMACHA scoring, etc. I think that being head of the herd is the MOST important part of the equation - you are the boss always.
But even if you have the perfect sweet buck you should never let your guard down because one moment of extreme hormones could be dangerous in even the best animal.

 

[Queen Mum]

Bucks can be a joy. They are curious and sweet if you raise them right.

Handle them often, use a halter, or a choke chain. And handle them with confidence. Never with fear. (meaning don't be afraid of them.)

Always be alpha. DO NOT ever let them think they are bigger than you and at the first sign of them acting dominant absolutely dominate them. (This should be done when they are smaller and lighter. That may mean that you need to knock them to the ground and sit on them.)

NEVER push them on the forehead or grab them by the horns if they have them.

There are some bucks that are overly dominant and you don't want to keep one of those unless you are prepared to dominate them. Don't buy a buck that is angry and aggressive and you won't have problems with your buck.

Breed for temperament.

Also remember, rutting season doesn't mean the buck is going to become aggressive. It means that he will become single minded. Bucks CAN be taught to be gentlemen breeders.

He needs to understand that no matter how much he wants that doe, he has to go through you to get to her and he has to behave until you say it is OK to breed her. That has to be an established rule from DAY ONE! So when he is young put a halter and a harness and a choke chain on him and MAKE THAT CLEAR! Don't just turn him out and let him chase all the girls and run them ragged. Once he has learned to behave and you feel he is a safe buck with your girls, then you can take him to them when you want a doe bred and put him with her.

AND then you will also know you can handle him to move him where you want him during rut.

 

[mydakota]

Well...I have small breeds but some of the same stuff would apply.
First and foremost you must be the head of the herd...meaning you take no "monkey business" from the bucks period. You need to handle them frequently - hooves, body checks, FAMACHA scoring, etc. I think that being head of the herd is the MOST important part of the equation - you are the boss always.
But even if you have the perfect sweet buck you should never let your guard down because one moment of extreme hormones could be dangerous in even the best animal.

See, this is the same with horses and this I already get. What I really want to know is what body language to be looking for in a buck. In horses, big problems start small and most greenies miss the signs entirely until the issue is a big one. With goats, I am a greenie. I need to know the small signs. Then what I want to know, is what is an acceptable and effective form of reprimand. I get the being dominant and in charge part, and don't think I will have a problem with that.

 

[mydakota]

It's like with a horse. Lots of horses will come up to you and kind of push into you seeking attention. Seeking attention is fine, until one of them actually puts his body on you and makes you take a step backward to keep your balance. In the moment you did that? You gave up authority. Most people just think "oh how sweet, he wants me to pet him". I need to know how to recognize this in goats, and what an effective response is.

 

[Queen Mum]

Body language in a buck isn't obvious. It's kind of individual. Each one will show different behaviors. But you pretty much know when you know. An aggressive buck will put his head down and snort at you. But so will a playful buck. However it's a different "feel".

I have three bucks. One of them is really playful and silly. One is very shy and quiet. One is macho. None of them are aggressive towards me ever! The playful silly one is Alpha with all the other bucks. But he is a pain in the behind with the girls and has to be haltered and leashed when in rut or he chases the girls all over the field. The Macho boy is a love and is mannerly with the girls. The shy, quiet boy has yet to score.

Alpha boy will hook the other boys with his horns and lift them off the ground to move them out of the way. But he never hurts them. They all head butt each other. But they NEVER EVER do that to me.

Some will tell you, "never turn your back on a buck". I say, never turn your back on a buck you don't know. I turn my back on my boys all the time. But usually they will climb up on my back and lay down (if I am on my hands and knees working on something.) Or my silly boy will put his feet on my shoulders and look over to see what I'm doing or eat my hair. And my shy boy will poke his head between my arm and my side and look up at me with a happy face. Mr. Macho (Houdini) will poke his head between my legs and look up at me and beg for food.

 

[mydakota]

I think mine is going to be "silly". Part of his name is the word "Benz". I am calling him Benny, because he reminds me of the Benny Hill theme song. I just like him. A lot. And I don't want to blow it, because as of right now he is a really good boy. He has been handled right so far. If he turns into a monster? It is all on me.