New goats on the farm and their behavior to the change

I have wanted to share our experiences with bringing in new goats to the farm, how it affected them and how we approached their behavior. 

In past years, we had a very small herd, and for the most part got very lucky that most if not all of the goats we had were extremely friendly. With a few being a bit more independent, less outgoing, but overall handle-able. 

Last year we decided to change our herd dynamic and go with registered stock. We sold our Grades and kept two of the best girls, the ones I was mostly attached to. The journey to bringing in the genetics we desired for our herd began, and I was in for an adventure. The first came in a group of three, super friendly, but still there was one in the bunch that struggled a bit with being handled. She was in milk so I had to get her on a stand, get used to the milking machine and overall handling. She would shiver the poor girl. I basically had to carry her onto the stand each time, but to my surprise that behavior soon subsided and she has become one of our most friendliest and most willing to jump on the stand does! This was the beginning of what I would experience in the change of behavior they display once settled in. 

Next, we brought a couple of girls from Arizona, they came in a group that were brought to a friends farm first, were then split up and the two came with us. That was extremely traumatic for one, Winky. It would take her almost a whole year to warm up to me! I do not exaggerate when I say that she absolutely hated and wanted nothing to do with me. I remember almost crying about it, and feeling extremely sorry for her. It was painful to watch her in such a stressful state. I wanted to give her all the loving, but in those days, I was her enemy. 

A few things crossed my mind. Did I make a mistake bringing this doe into my herd? Is this her temperament? Oh my goodness she's so skittish and afraid, how am I going to deal with milking her and helping her kid? How am I going to trim her hooves?! She was stressed, I was stressed, WE WERE ALL STRESSED! In the meantime, the young doe she came with was acting as if nothing happened, nothing had changed for her other than location. This caused me a lot of worry, and I lost a lot of sleep over it. I was constantly worried that it wasnt going to work out with this doe, but more so I felt horrible for her. I was already preparing myself for the realization that maybe she would never come around. Since I didnt want to have her experience this trauma again, I would just have an extra crazy scared goat that would live the rest of her days with us. 

This doe had all of the right genetics, so I was completely confused. Until one day, I had to go out of town and asked my neighbor to milk the does for me. I warned her that this one doe was going to be hell to catch. She took notes. When I left, I was so incredibly worried. To our shock, she loved my neighbor! Had no problem being catched and milked by her. I was baffled, a bit offended and almost gave her up to my neighbor! It was at that moment that I realized, it wasn't me, she was just stressed and my neighbor may have looked or sound like a familiar person. My worries subsided and I decided to let time work its magic. 

A few months passed and we had another opportunity to bring another group to the farm from similar genetics. They arrived and immediately the matriarch of the group was just the sweetest and acted as though nothing had changed. The rest of them though? The rest were absolutely terrified! The youngest would hide behind her dam, the others were not as afraid, but afraid enough. I went ahead and removed the Junior from her dam, as she came to us already bred and the doeling really needed to be separated. I didnt know it yet, but this would prove to be the best decision and a method I would later use. They eventually came around, with the dam to the Junior still not being so friendly, but she's no longer fearful. 

Winky took a year to acclimate. Now she loves me! She doesn't like my kids, but she loves me and she ADORES Ken. He does not go in the barn much as he works full time, but when he did visit, he would hand out treats like it was Christmas. They remembered this about him, so when he walks into the barn they follow him around like puppies. Its amazing how they remember and know this of him.

It took so much time and patience for me to get to where I am with them. It was extremely stressful for me, second guessing my decision of bringing them. The truth is, it is completely normal for them to behave this way. The other thing is, I had experienced pure luck with all the grade goats I had beforehand. Isn't that crazy? Here I was, presented with the opportunity to own superior genetics, but second guessed them because of something so shallow and trivial. All of that concern and stress over nothing. It is extremely simple, give them time to adjust. Dont give up on them, and extend the courtesy of understanding they've just been displaced! Some goats take longer than others, have patience. 

Here is the reason for this blog post: 

• I want to share my own struggles with bringing in new goats to the farm. How we handled the stress and changes and how to form a bond with them. How we can overlook the simplest of things and assume the worst when things are not working out the way we want them to. I love these goats and dont give up easy, but I know there are people out there that do. I want to reassure you that things will be ok. 
• To give a perspective on the different temperaments and how it affects them when they are re-homed. 
• Reiterate that it takes a lot of time and patience when dealing with new to you goats. 
• Genetics can come into play with their behavior and temperament to changes, but its not a guarantee. They can come from the friendliest of herds, and still struggle to acclimate. 
• To show that Goats are extremely smart and form strong bonds with their Shephards. They too can mourn the loss of their familiar home and setting. They too require special time and attention. 

I have shared some of the struggles that we experienced, but they are just the tip of an iceburg. It has taken more than 8 months and in one particular extreme case 1 whole year for a goat to finally come around. I have spent countless hours "hanging out" with my goats and gaining their trust. Ken and I researched ways to relieve the anxiety some of these girls experienced. One of the things we found to work was something so simple its embarrassing we never thought of it. FIG NEWTON BARS! Fig Newton Bars single handedly helped us win over the new members of our herd. Also, spending a lot of time with them! They eventually learned I was not here to harm them. 

Here are some of the things I did to help them acclimate, and I know im repeating myself in some but it's important to share:

• I separated the young ones from their dams. This can be extremely stressful, so it is very important that you monitor them both. It is better if they can see each other, and the young should be put with another group of similar size and age. Some goats are far more sentimental and it can affect them to the extreme. Extreme cases are they stop eating, in those cases I would not torture them with this. Find another way. For the most part, goats are herd animals and they will integrate with the new group. Never isolate them! They should always be paired with another or others. 
• Pair them with your most friendly goats. They need to see the others interacting with you. I know its common sense, but sometimes we overlook the simplest of answers. 
• Make every experience they have with you positive. Goats are smart animals, and they remember things very well. Work on the bond and give them a good experience each time.
• Routine is key. If you routinely make it a point to spend time with them, give them treats and eventually pet them, they will accept the routine and start forming a bond. They will expect these interactions every time you visit!
• Limit eye contact in the beginning. Goats are prey animals and predators have a predatory gaze. I dont know how to explain this other than just my observations. They dont feel as threatened if you dont look at them and go about your business. 
• Treats are the number one thing that works. Once they settle in and can be coaxed with a treat, youre in! Animal Crackers or Organic Fig Newton Bars are our go to! I also used to give those apple flavored alfalfa horse treats. If it smells tasty, they wont be able to resist. 
• Patience, have patience. You cannot get frustrated, or they will feel it. Dairy goats give us so much, and they deserve the chance to get used to their new home and shepherd. It takes time. 

Remember that goats are not robots. They are living, breathing, sentient beings. Goats are smart, have a good memory and have their own unique personalities. They establish heirarchies and depend on their herd for survival, therefore they cannot live alone. Goats can be pets as well as productive livestock. Keeping those things in mind help them to settle into their new home and environment. 

If you are new to keeping goats, I hope this blog post helps you navigate new goat ownership. I hope it gives you the reassurance you need to not give up on your new goat. It is extremely important that new owners learn all they can about caring for goats. As someone who has had goats for many years, im still learning something new every day!