Sometimes we need a course on goat psychology…but then, if we understand them tomorrow, we might not understand them the next day.
We moved a handful of goats to the new farm, ahead of the others.
We did not mow the tall grass in their new pasture. We also knew the cedars and the tree saplings would be a nutrition-filled delicacy for the goats as well.
We chose the thinnest, oldest, and most “needy” of our “girls” for the first move. I wanted them to experience the fresh new pasture.
Surprise!
We should have known. No, in fact, we did know but never thought it would happen to our goats. They did not touch the greenery for the first 3 days. Each day when we arrived to feed hay, yes, we still supplement (in a lesser quantity), we observed the does getting thinner.
Our determination is that they were 1) stressed because we moved them, 2) spoiled to their old barn and twice-a-day hay feedings. Of course, they had no idea we moved them from an almost bare lot to something totally alive and healthy!
The good news is they are now eating.
Lesson learned, and shared. It really is best to not move an overly thin goat, or one that isn’t feeling well to begin with (our goats were not that serious). Even if you are moving them to better conditions, they are sensitive animals and could become ill from stress alone.
All are happy now!
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Very true – also likely the “alphas” weren’t in the group so others were without a leader – we are selling off our little herd (sadly but necessary) and I will only sell to someone who takes a family group – mother and daughters or sisters – they seem to do so much better with blood kin nearby. Goats are quite sensitive – occasionally even moody!
Hi Linda Sue,
So good to chat with you. I am sure you are having difficulties with selling your goats, but like you, it would make it somewhat easier if I knew they were going to stay together on the new farm. I noticed a few days ago a grown buck sleeping alongside his mother. They really do rely on each other.
Good post, I know how stress can be on goats! I’m starting a new blogger account which is up but I’m in the process of adding posts there.
Amy
Poor things. And here we were thinking they would react like a kid in a candy shop! Oh well, live and learn.
Glad all are doing well!
Oh Becky, it really leaves a person shrugging their shoulders.
I recently moved a handful of rather skinny dairy gals to what I call the honeymoon suite, a center fenced in pen that had overgrown with grass, weeds, and saplings. I normally do not give grain to the goats unless they are being milked. So, I moved the thin girls to the pen, fed them grain, fed them hay, and allowed them to graze on the fresh green area. We moved a stock trailer into the pen as a temporary shelter. What did they do? They didn’t eat the hay, they didn’t eat much fresh greenery, they absolutely waited for more grain! For a few days they grew more thin. So much for trying to straighten them out!
I recently read an article on animal condition. If a livestock animal loses their condition it can take up to a year for them to regain it.
Come to my blog tomorrow! I should have the announcement up about the new addition to our family. My sister-in-law and brother should find out the gender of their little one sometime today I think. It’s either a Tristan or a Sylvia.
Amy
I missed this comment from you, Amy! You posted it a few days ago. I did get your email with the blog link. I will make sure I head there to see your announcement.
Yep, posted it a couple of days ago, you might have to scroll down and click older posts though.
Amy