How do you tame wild goats?

[Deleted]

The past couple of years I've not milked or worked with the goats.  They've been pretty much on their own in the pasture. 

Without thinking about it, I sold all my calm milkers so now I only have the wild ones left.

I've been spending time in the pasture setting patiently hoping they will get curious enough to come over and check me out.  but no... they just run off out of sight and ignore me.

I've thought about building a small pen and catching them one or two at a time, but I'm a bit worried about getting in a small pen with a large wild goat with horns. 

They are all from a registered line of Saanens so I don't want to sell them and start over.  I need to figure out how to calm them so they will be nice like their ancestors were. 

[Deleted]

Easiest, breed them, remove the little ones and bottle feed them. Older goats, feed them treats in a small area, 1 at a time. Get them in a stantion, rub them down, work with them, reward each time you release them. They like rewards and treats....James

[whisperwindkat]

Our first two goats were wild as could be. I did what jwal10 recommends. I put each goat in a separate stall (horse sized) and brought them treats. When I fed them I stood in there with them. Eventually, they saw me as a source of good stuff. One is my favorite goat now and she always comes to me for scratches and treats. The other stayed timid, but I could work with her. Blessings, Kat

[Bear Foot Farm]

Put a little grain in a bucket and when you get to the feeding area, shake the bucket or beat on the bucket to get their attention

After a few times doing that, they will come running to the sound and often to just the sight of the bucket

Sit in a chair in the pasture and read a book, with some treats in your pocket, and eventually they will realize you're not there to kill them.

If you start breeding replacements, as soon as they are born, handle them every day.

Rub their necks and down their backs,  and lift their feet and rub the hooves

Do NOT rub or push the tops of their heads, since that will trigger an agressive butting response

When they have been conditioned in this manner, you will be able to handle them easily the rest of their lives, and will probably follow you around like a puppy

[Deleted]

Thanks for this thread!!! I'm currently learning the hard way, trying to get 2 dam raised kids ready to sell. I seriously thought it would be easier to sell them if I was distant and not attached to them. Man, oh man! First potential buyer wanted to know how much they weighed. Gulp! Oops! Got the bruises to help me remember that mistake for a long time.