Rent-a-Buck

Hej from Sweden,

I have what may seem as a really silly question but this is a situation we have not had before. It is time to bring in our Rent-a-Buck to service my ladies. Here is the problem: Now the stall he used to use when he came is occupied with my 2 Pygmy bucklings (under 1 yr. ), 1 Nigerian ( 6 mos.) and 1 wether (2 yrs but tiny) . Most of them are stocky and strong but I wonder how my once gentle Emil will be with them in the same box, his box. Will they be alright or will there be tension due to competition for the ladies in heat? When he was here before, we put the ladies in with him, but now I guess I will need to put him in with them. I am just concerned about how they will all get along in the same box. Any ideas or suggestions.

Replies

Gullringstorpgoatgal February 27, 2012 at 2:40pm

Hej From Sweden,

Thanks Deborah! Ok I will keep an eye on them. I feel assured that they will not be killed by this larger buck coming in. I will expect a fair amount of posturing and head butting. Maybe my little fellows will just stay out of Emil's way. I am a big worrier!

Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:

There will always be head butting when new goats are introduced to a herd, but it is usually short-lived. A couple years ago I would have said that I've never heard of ND bucks actually hurting each other, but then I had one that gave himself a concussion because he wouldn't give up. He wasn't looking too good for a couple of days. He was staggering around like he was drunk, but he recovered. I imagine that his condition was due to a very long period of head butting. I have heard of sheep killing each other, but NDs tend to be more mellow. I've had more than a dozen different bucks here and that was the only problem I've ever had or ever heard of. I'd also say that the season is in your favor. Although NDs are supposed to be year-round breeders, I do see a lot more head butting with the boys in the fall and winter. This time of year they start to mellow out more. With your others being so young, there probably won't be much competition.
Gullringstorpgoatgal February 27, 2012 at 2:39pm

Hej From Sweden,

Thanks Deborah! Ok I will keep an eye on them. I feel assured that they will not be killed by this larger buck coming in. I will expect a fair amount of posturing and head butting. Maybe my little fellows will just stay out of Emil's way.
Deborah Niemann-Boehle February 27, 2012 at 12:08pm

There will always be head butting when new goats are introduced to a herd, but it is usually short-lived. A couple years ago I would have said that I've never heard of ND bucks actually hurting each other, but then I had one that gave himself a concussion because he wouldn't give up. He wasn't looking too good for a couple of days. He was staggering around like he was drunk, but he recovered. I imagine that his condition was due to a very long period of head butting. I have heard of sheep killing each other, but NDs tend to be more mellow. I've had more than a dozen different bucks here and that was the only problem I've ever had or ever heard of. I'd also say that the season is in your favor. Although NDs are supposed to be year-round breeders, I do see a lot more head butting with the boys in the fall and winter. This time of year they start to mellow out more. With your others being so young, there probably won't be much competition.