Goat: Animal behaviour and problems.

General information

Goats are kept and bred all over the world. They still play an important role for the feeding of the population. Globally seen, goat ownership comes up to approximately 600 million animals. Alone in India and China live over 100 million. As modest animals they are much estimated especially in mountain regions. Varied are the products we get from the goats. Goats not only supply us with meat, milk, butter and the popular cheese, but also with precious wool. Cashmere and mohair wool comes from the goats. The angora goat is kept and bred for the sake of her fine and soft wool. The smooth and soft goat leather is used in many areas. Last but not least we enjoy fairytales like "The wolf and the seven little goats"....

Social behaviour

Goats are, just like sheep, gregariousl animals who only feel well in the flock. There is a social ranking within every group which becomes apparent at especially attractive places, like for instance the feeding place. Within the large flock in the Alps undergroups are formed. These consist of animals that know each other closely. Rams isolate themselves.

Behavioural disturbances

Even if there are little scraps between individual animals belonging to the groups who are already used to each other, this must not be interpreted as a disturbed behaviour. The thing is rather that these goats want to consolidate over and over again the social ranking. So it is very important that the pet owner avoids to create rivalry situations and gives titbits for instance just at one single spot on the pastureland. If you detect conspicuous behaviour, it is best to get advice!

Undesirable behaviour

Should it be the case that goats mothers challenge the kids' feed in the stable, it is best to prepare a small feeding table for the kids. This is a selective wall model where only kids' heads fit in. If the goat buck holds his mouth into the jet when micturating, this might be repulsive from our point of view. It is, however, part of his sexual behaviour. One should always keep a watch on what the goats eat, because they eat almost everything, but not everything agrees with them.

Mood barometer

It's possible that the term "mood" coined by men cannot be used for goats. It would be better to speak of "state". Either the goat is hungry, eats selectively herb, or she rests (sleep or rumination). She bleats and calls moaning if something doesn't suit her fine. Rams may attack strange visitors on the pasture in order to show them that they do not tolerate rivals. Putting thei ears sideways means that they are fine and happy, putting their ears back indicates irritation.

Psychology of animals

In order to better understand the goat and her species-specific psychology, it is advisable to study in more detail the behaviour of wild goats in the flock headed by a boss ram, i. e. to read books about it. Also in the course of the many thousands of years domestication, the basic nature of the goat as a flock animal has hardly changed. If we are able to recognize the natural needs of the animal, we are on our way to a psychologically correct behaviour.