I'm sorry to be posting so many questions - the sudden loss of our doe's daughter, and the introduction of the new kid as her companion (so she wouldn't be an only goat) have created quite a few questions for us!

The doe, Blanca, and the kid, Jack seem to be settling in. We have had Jack, a 10-to-11 week old Dwarf Nigerian, for 4 days. Blanca, a 3-4 year old spayed Saanen doe, still butts at Jack, and they do the clashing head butts (but not overly aggressive, it's in much the same way that Blanca did with her daughter before her daughter passed away (the daughter, Blanquita, was 2 years old when she passed)...a bit harder than ordinary playing, but not with evil intent...we assume it to be their way of establishing the order of things).

Jack actually has started trying to nurse on Blanca, especially when he's startled or scared, which is really sweet and sad at the same time. Blanca clearly just finds it annoying, and she dances around away from him and butts him away.

Anyways, it's the biting on Jack's ears and tail that have us a *little* concerned. On the first day, we thought it was cute. But she keeps doing it. He hasn't squawked about it yet, but I see that she's doing it pretty hard, and pretty regularly, and it hasn't diminished over the days he's been here. It's several times a day (that I see it, who knows how much more that I'm not seeing).

I've *never* been around a goat that bit before, so this is alien to me.

Should I be worried? Does it mean they are destined to not be soul mates, or is it still early days and still part of the "getting to know you" routine?

Thank you for any advice and thoughts!

Annie

There's not much you can do about it. I have a biter here and a couple of the goats always have bald spots where he's gotten them. I smacked him on the nose and told him "NO" when I caught him doing it before but I can't supervise enough to be consistent so he just keeps on biting. The other goats eventually just learned avoid him when they see he's in an ornery mood.

Maybe she needs a full grown doe... to put her in her place...as the young kid isn't big enough... to set her straight.... he really can't get away from her.. as there are only 2....and they are a herd animal....I agree... that biters are hard to make stop.... but ...when you see it.... maybe get a squirt bottle and squirt her.....or use a water hose

Hey there!

Give Jack a place to hide. Eventually they'll figure it out and he'll get big enough to fight her back.