Tail question.

porkchop48

Ridin' The Range
Joined
May 1, 2011
Messages
387
Reaction score
4
Points
71
Location
Malta, OH
My Dh asked me the other day why some goats seem to hold their tails up and some seem to hold them down.

Is there a reason for it?
 

20kidsonhill

True BYH Addict
Joined
Jan 7, 2011
Messages
6,246
Reaction score
118
Points
243
Location
Virgnia
It is because of their top-line. A goat with a straighter, better top-line is going to naturally hold their tail up in a curl over their back. The more slope they have in their rump the more their tail looks like it is hanging down.

A tail curled up is a good thing. At least with boers.
 

20kidsonhill

True BYH Addict
Joined
Jan 7, 2011
Messages
6,246
Reaction score
118
Points
243
Location
Virgnia
I guess I should add there are times when a goat tries to hold their tail up, like when a doe is in heat and she is flagging, Or really alert. But a goat that always has his/her tail curled up over their back is an indication of a good straight top-line.
 

Roll farms

Spot Master
Joined
Jun 5, 2009
Messages
7,582
Reaction score
109
Points
353
Location
Marion, IN
Sick goats will often hold their tails down, so when I see a goat who's tail is usually up, suddenly holding it down, I check for signs of illness.
 

SmallFarmGirl

Smiley Crazy
Joined
Nov 18, 2011
Messages
3,364
Reaction score
19
Points
158
Location
an acre
Uh oh..... My goats hold they're tail down then up and back and forth. They always are changing. Should I worry????
 

aggieterpkatie

The Shepherd
Joined
Oct 23, 2009
Messages
3,696
Reaction score
11
Points
156
What Rolls said. A goat with a "down" tail may be sick. Tails up are happy, healthy goats. :)
 

SmallFarmGirl

Smiley Crazy
Joined
Nov 18, 2011
Messages
3,364
Reaction score
19
Points
158
Location
an acre
aggieterpkatie said:
What Rolls said. A goat with a "down" tail may be sick. Tails up are happy, healthy goats. :)
Well they Mainly keep they're tail up. IT's just when I want to peek at they're rear end they let it down.
 

Mamaboid

Loving the herd life
Joined
Aug 18, 2011
Messages
1,328
Reaction score
11
Points
106
Location
Muncy Valley, PA
SmallFarmGirl said:
aggieterpkatie said:
What Rolls said. A goat with a "down" tail may be sick. Tails up are happy, healthy goats. :)
Well they Mainly keep they're tail up. IT's just when I want to peek at they're rear end they let it down.
I believe that may be written in the doe code, under section c, sub section 3, under the heading of "This too makes life harder for already crazed goat owner". The wording goes something like: The closer a doe gets to birth, the more often goat owner will want to look where they have no business looking. The Doe Code demands that upon even thinking that said owner is headed in that direction, it is the goat's obligation to clamp tail as tightly to body as possible, and turn in circles so as to make it as difficult as possible for said goat owner to accomplish goal. Failure on goat's part to take these steps will be punished with close-up pictures of goats nether regions being placed on various web forums for all to see. This will be to the detriment of all future generations of goats, as the practice could become accepted and therefore making life easier for future goat owners.
 

Roll farms

Spot Master
Joined
Jun 5, 2009
Messages
7,582
Reaction score
109
Points
353
Location
Marion, IN
Mamaboid said:
SmallFarmGirl said:
aggieterpkatie said:
What Rolls said. A goat with a "down" tail may be sick. Tails up are happy, healthy goats. :)
Well they Mainly keep they're tail up. IT's just when I want to peek at they're rear end they let it down.
I believe that may be written in the doe code, under section c, sub section 3, under the heading of "This too makes life harder for already crazed goat owner". The wording goes something like: The closer a doe gets to birth, the more often goat owner will want to look where they have no business looking. The Doe Code demands that upon even thinking that said owner is headed in that direction, it is the goat's obligation to clamp tail as tightly to body as possible, and turn in circles so as to make it as difficult as possible for said goat owner to accomplish goal. Failure on goat's part to take these steps will be punished with close-up pictures of goats nether regions being placed on various web forums for all to see. This will be to the detriment of all future generations of goats, as the practice could become accepted and therefore making life easier for future goat owners.
Truer words were never spoken.....*sigh*

I'd really, REALLY like to kick the goat that wrote that code...I was trying to get pics today, they make it udderly impossible!
 
Top