I am new to goats, just got two of them about 6 weeks ago. I got them from different farms, so they were strangers to each other. I've been reading posts and enjoying the wealth of information here. It's time for me to post my first question. I have an Alpine doe that is milking, and a little Saanen yearling (18 mo?)that is pregnant. The Alpine is much bigger and bossier. She has started getting mean to the Saanen. She butts her a lot and chases her around, and sometimes won't let her in the shed, even when it's raining. I feel bad for the little pregnant Saanen. I don't have another shed, or other shelter for her. When I first got them they fought for a few days, then there seemed to be peace. Now the Alpine is getting mean. Could it be she is upset that the Saanen is pregnant?

I put them both in the shed and lock it at night, as we have some preditors in the area and I want to keep them both safe. Thank you for any advice you will offer. Bobbi

-- Bobbi (da_bee_lady@hotmail.com), December 24, 2001

Answers

Response to Fighting does

Does either goat have horns? Assuming they don't, it is normal for them to fight for awhile before they adjust to one another. I don't think the Alpine is jealous over the Saanen being pregnant, are you certain that the Alpine has not been bred? She can still milk while she is pregnant. If she's not bred yet, I would find a god Alpine buck and get her bred. My goats will often get very aggressive when they first start to come into heat and when they are going out of heat.

How big is the shed, and how are you feeding them? If there is just one feeder, out another feeder in, even if it is just one of those plastic tubs with rope handles. It seems that the Alpine is alreay the queen, and aside from heat cycles, I can't think of anything else they would fight over but food. Can you put a partition down the center of the shed so the young doe can have a safe place?

Some goats are just plain mean, and I have seen mean does of all different breeds. When I have one that is just unreasonably nasty, I get rid of her.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), December 24, 2001.