Gauteng Smallholder Gauteng Smallholder November 2011 | Page 45

SMALL STOCK
From page 42
retain her position until
she dies or becomes
infirm and another doe
wins the spot. When a
new herd queen does
emerge, it's usually a
daughter of the original
queen (often the eldest),
since her daughters have
been groomed to the
position from birth.
Younger members of the
Indigenous goast on the move in a group
family or tribe are
differences.
submissive to higher-ranking
Goats dislike people grab-
females. It is quite common
bing, holding or tugging their
for a doe that has recently
horns. In a group, goats use
kidded (or sometimes right
their horns to test strength
before she kids) to try to
and protect themselves. If you
"upgrade" her status in the
behave in this way your goat
herd in order to secure a
may think you are challenging
higher status for her kids.
or threatening it.
Goats use their horns along
When mixing a new member
with head butts to sort out
into the herd expect disputes
their social status.
to occur for a few days, in the
In farmed milking goats, you
form of rearing and butting.
see them bunting and biting
This is whilst the new goat
each other in the milking
establishes a position amongst
shed to sort out their
the herd. Normally the lower
status goats will be the first to
argue with the newcomer.
Although this can appear
rough, it is just natural goat
behaviour. Obviously, from a
distance, keep a watch on the
mix.
Another important goat habit
is that of the kids – they love
to hide. They tuck themselves
away under bushes or behind
objects and very often the
mother will not know where
they are.
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It is a good idea to put
very brightly coloured
collars on young kid to
help make them easier
to find. Also, when
looking for a kid, keep
in mind that they can
squeeze into very small
places (the smaller the
better as far as they are
concerned).
You will find that goats
do not push well. If
you push them to get
them out of your way,
they will lean into the push.
It you want them to move,
pull them.