respecting the horns

[laughingdog]

so a newbie like me is to expect alot of gorings from my fairly still new nigerian dwarf billy goat (what everyone who has seen, or hears me describe it as, says it seems to be), if i dont, or even if i do, wither him?

 

[laughingdog]

P.S. hilarious to a newbie to goats like me.

 

[RabbleRoost Farm]

I tease my pit bull on a regular basis. she is a big marshmellow and loves to play.

OK...regarding horns. I don't like them, but I won't dehorn either. The thought of nearly frying a baby goat's brains just because I don't want horns is appauling to me and I refuse to do it or allow it to be done on my animals. I saw it done once and I couldn't believe how the poor goat screamed. No thanks!! At one time I wanted to raise nigerian goats but since they are supposed to be sold dehorned, I decided against them. I am getting into sheep now and chose a breed that is naturally polled so I would not have to deal with horns or dehorning.

I brought my little buckling to be disbudded a few days ago (which never happened because the iron was busted beyond repair) and just being set in the box with the lid closed over his neck set off a screaming fit.
He was yelling before the cold iron was even mock pressed over his buds.

I realize that it hurts, but like some have said, it's just better to have it done when they're little than to have to worry over horns the rest of their lives. Getting caught in fences and accidentally goring a herd mate open aren't the type of things I really want to deal with.

I love horns, I think they're beautiful. I have a goat with horns, a goat with scurs, and another goat with horns on layaway (because I put a deposit on him too late for him to be disbudded). I'm more worried about long-term effects of having sharp protrusions on animals that like to butt each other and use their heads in defense and dominance displays on a regular basis.

At any rate, it really should be up to the goat raiser to make their own decisions. All we can do is try to help each other understand why we choose to do what we choose to do, and hope they accept that.

 

[RabbleRoost Farm]

so a newbie like me is to expect alot of gorings from my fairly still new nigerian dwarf billy goat (what everyone who has seen, or hears me describe it as, says it seems to be), if i dont, or even if i do, wither him?

Whether you wether or not won't determine how aggressive he may or may not become, it's up to him and how he was treated, the experiences in his life. Basically it could go either way. He could decide to use his horns on you if he was fixed or not. (Personally if he isn't a good enough quality to improve the kids out of him and my does then I would wether him.) He might not even realize he has horns, but that doesn't mean there won't be accidents involving them at some point. Just turning his head around he could at the very least whack it into your leg (which does hurt, but it happens. Maybe you'll be bruised, maybe not), but if you happened to be bent over him at some point and he lifted his head in alarm you could get a serious hit. THAT would be bad - especially if it was a small child that didn't know any better leaning over the goat to give him a hug.

A wether usually makes a better pet than a buck. A buck is for making babies, not for loving on.
That's not to say I don't love my buck/s, but you have to always be on edge around them and keep alert.