Nothing to do with anything other than bottle babies (venting) :p
- Thread starter chubbydog811
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Lil-patch-of-heaven
Ridin' The Range
I guess there's a lot of variation in bottle babies?
The one I got at a week old follows me pretty close when she's out. Cries when she's hungry. Used to absolutely scream when she was alone so I integrated her into the herd sooner than was probably adviseable. She's great now though. Answers when I call her name (usually through a full mouth - she's a great little browser). Only cries at me until she gets her now once-daily bottle. I think she's going to wean easily.
The two kids I got at 2-4 months are a different story. They used to cry piteously (though the doeling has a beautiful voice -- she sounds like she's singing!). The male especially acts as if he's never seen food before. He goes crazy when he thinks ANY kind of food is nearby and is difficult to control. He even loses to my alpha doe sometimes and she's VERY pushy and food-oriented too (AND he's the younger kid). Both of them, but esp the buckling, are usually physically attached to me if I wall in the pasture.
The dam- raised kid wad easy. I could herd him because he was afraid of me, he was quiet and respectful. Now that I'm trying to wean him, he cries his head off sometimes but he likes me a lot better -- especially if I offer him treats. He takes them gently though and never crowds against me. Overall Id say I think I prefer dam-raised too!
I understand you feeling like they are driving you crazy. My little bottle baby did me too until I got her into the herd. I can't even imagine having that screaming doubled!
But if you pull many kids and keep them together maybe it won't be so bad? My baby came from a baby- pen with 4 kids (and there may have been more before that?) and they didn't cry while I was there for hours until just before I left. The breeder said it was getting close to feeding time for them. So maybe with many they are better?
Glad to hear you're getting your sanity back soon!
The one I got at a week old follows me pretty close when she's out. Cries when she's hungry. Used to absolutely scream when she was alone so I integrated her into the herd sooner than was probably adviseable. She's great now though. Answers when I call her name (usually through a full mouth - she's a great little browser). Only cries at me until she gets her now once-daily bottle. I think she's going to wean easily.
The two kids I got at 2-4 months are a different story. They used to cry piteously (though the doeling has a beautiful voice -- she sounds like she's singing!). The male especially acts as if he's never seen food before. He goes crazy when he thinks ANY kind of food is nearby and is difficult to control. He even loses to my alpha doe sometimes and she's VERY pushy and food-oriented too (AND he's the younger kid). Both of them, but esp the buckling, are usually physically attached to me if I wall in the pasture.
The dam- raised kid wad easy. I could herd him because he was afraid of me, he was quiet and respectful. Now that I'm trying to wean him, he cries his head off sometimes but he likes me a lot better -- especially if I offer him treats. He takes them gently though and never crowds against me. Overall Id say I think I prefer dam-raised too!
I understand you feeling like they are driving you crazy. My little bottle baby did me too until I got her into the herd. I can't even imagine having that screaming doubled!
But if you pull many kids and keep them together maybe it won't be so bad? My baby came from a baby- pen with 4 kids (and there may have been more before that?) and they didn't cry while I was there for hours until just before I left. The breeder said it was getting close to feeding time for them. So maybe with many they are better?
Glad to hear you're getting your sanity back soon!
But I'm lazy like that. 
Lil-patch-of-heaven
Ridin' The Range
Oh you really have a point, especially with the adults. I have one doe who is SO sweet. She doesn't really give that much milk but she comes when I call her and walks over to the stand like a well-trained dog at heel. I chose her over another doe that probably produced more milk (was feeding 2 kids) but who was wild. I think I made the right choice!
The little dam-raised buckling is becoming very friendly with treats though. I would imagine i can make him just as handle-able easily enough, but without the crowding and biting of the supposedly weaned bottle buckling.
Ok, I vote for bottlefed doelings and dam-raised bucklings. At least if I could have chosen for my 4 kids.
The little dam-raised buckling is becoming very friendly with treats though. I would imagine i can make him just as handle-able easily enough, but without the crowding and biting of the supposedly weaned bottle buckling.
Ok, I vote for bottlefed doelings and dam-raised bucklings. At least if I could have chosen for my 4 kids.
jlbpooh
Ridin' The Range
My four Nigi wethers were all dam-raised and they are all in your face whenever you go in their pasture with them. They have to "help" you do everything. Let me tell you, their "help" is not very helpful because you can't move without tripping over them. LOL I love them dearly though.
I can't 'herd' my dam raised kids, they aren't afraid of me, and are climbing all over me just like the bottle kids.
And I strongly agree, I will not keep a goat I have to chase. I have two goats that are going because they aren't friendly enough, now they are good about milking, and get on the stand and ready on their own, but for hoof trimming, worming, etc. the chase is on. Which is one reason I prefer to bottle raise kids I buy.
I wouldn't say my nubian is any more annoying, just noisier!
And I strongly agree, I will not keep a goat I have to chase. I have two goats that are going because they aren't friendly enough, now they are good about milking, and get on the stand and ready on their own, but for hoof trimming, worming, etc. the chase is on. Which is one reason I prefer to bottle raise kids I buy.
I wouldn't say my nubian is any more annoying, just noisier!
aggieterpkatie
The Shepherd
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My dam raised doe is awesome. She knows the routine and walks herself to the milk stand and hops up on it without me even doing anything (and she gets to walk through the yard by herself from the pasture to the barn). She always walks up to me and I've never once had to chase her.
But I don't really mind having to "chase" animals anyways, because my sheep are friendly but they know when something is up and they will avoid me. It's not a big deal to move them into a corner and catch them.
But I don't really mind having to "chase" animals anyways, because my sheep are friendly but they know when something is up and they will avoid me. It's not a big deal to move them into a corner and catch them.
RockyToggRanch
Overrun with beasties
My bottle babies will try to suck up to/on me...I think as a way to show affection. When they start to nibble I grab their little faces and rub both sides. It almost sends them into a trance. I rub and talk to them one on one. I try to ignore the others jumping around on me until they gather by my hands for a face rub. Even my one yr old bottle baby buck still looks forward to a face rub.
They definately can have more needy personalities too.
They definately can have more needy personalities too.
