Goat (and other) disposition-Dehorning

[Guest guest]

Goats have varying dispositions as do

other animals. I have the good fortune to be mentored by a woman who had goats

for just short of 50 years. When asked how she selected who to keep? It was “disposition

first.” Her herd was productive, healthy, attractive and easy to deal

with. Disposition is to a great degree hereditary and if you cull the bullies,

agressives, stupids and generally not nice to be arounds, you get an easy keeping

herd that gets along with you and gets along with each other.

This is important for several reasons

having nothing to do with sweetness. Bullies monopolize food and shelter. It

is better to have a situation were all can get enough to eat and all can get

protection from the weather. They are more productive that way. Injuries are

minimized if the animals do not fight among themselves.

You certainly do not want an animal that

will hurt you. At best you will be slowed down and in pain for the next day’s

chores.. at worst a hospital bill and hiring a sub or getting rid of the

animals. Also if the animals are aggressive with each other you can be the “innocent

bystander” who gets nailed.

And to repeat.. disposition is to a good

degree hereditary. Why breed more of a bad thing?

I commend the South African Boer

breeders for including “a kind eye” in their breed standard. I am

appalled by a dairy goat breeder who had her husband build extra strong stocks

to handle a dangerous buck. When I suggested that the meat guy would be a

proper destination for the animal, I got the reply… “Oh no, I want

to get a National Champion.”

Sorry folks.. I am entranced with the

idea of keeping my precious hide intact. I want to enjoy my goat time, not

worry about it. And as I confided to my mentor about my milking philosophy, “Life

is too short to give twice daily massages to some animal you can’t stand.”

There is a wonderful and useful word

that breeders seldom use often enough…CULL!

Naomi