What do I do?

[NYRIR]

I just got two goats. One is a one year old Kinder (I think) and one is a 2 month old Alpine.The Kinder is really jealous of the Alpine getting ANY attention and if we try to pet her...the Kinder comes over and butts the baby...

How do I stop/correct this? I got the second goat to keep the first goat company but it seems weird how she acts toward her...sometimes she butts kinda hard.They both have horns, but of course the baby has very small ones.BUT, if I take the baby away and the kinder can't see her...she blats.I have had the goats for a couple of weeks.They are in 2 separate stalls where they can see each other but not touch at night. During the day they were tethered NEAR each other but now we have a paddock and they both go in there for the day.The only times the kinder butts her is if she thinks she has food she wants, or if we try to pet her.If we aren't around she doesn't seem to do anything to her....I had bought the year old kinder first, then found out she should have a friend. The only one i could find was a baby, so I got the Alpine.

Do I need to worry too much? I feel bad for the baby, as I would like to pet her more.She is so friendly and would come right up to be pet when tethered but now she knows she will get butted if she comes near us in the paddock.Should I get another baby goat for her to pal with? I feel like she is lonely. I don't think the kinder is...although I don't know goats behavior. I know they have a hierarchy and that she would be the boss, but I was hoping she would really take to the baby.She seems indifferent to her unless,as I said, she thinks she has or is getting something she thinks she wants!

The kinder, I was told, has had one kid and is a year old.

Thanks for any help!

 

[ksalvagno]

It probably wouldn't hurt to get the baby a friend. Also, I would try to deter the Kinder from butting every time you try to pet the Alpine. Take a squirt bottle of water out and squirt the Kinder when she comes over and see if that helps.

 

[NYRIR]

It probably wouldn't hurt to get the baby a friend. Also, I would try to deter the Kinder from butting every time you try to pet the Alpine. Take a squirt bottle of water out and squirt the Kinder when she comes over and see if that helps.

Thanks, I will try that!

 

[Mamaboid]

If the squirt bottle doesn't work, try a snap on the nose with your fingers. A pinch on the ear will work also. They hate to have their ears messed with. If all else fails, and she is using her horns, put her on the ground. Headbutting is one thing, using the horns on belly or side or showing humans the horns is a whole other issue. Do not tolerate it. Good luck with them.

 

[NYRIR]

Thank you. I do say a sharp NO! and tap her nose....she walks away but so does the baby .....

Guess it will just take some time. It's been raining for a few days here so not much time with them.