Preparing Goat-Kids for Life

Tamsin Cooper considers techniques based on natural behaviour

- Tamsin Cooper

Giving kids the best start in life involves many factors: nutrition, health, learning and emotional well-being. A holistic (all round) view gives kids a better chance of healthy, productive lives, resulting in a calm, cohesive herd. Early learning is important to promote good behaviour and readiness to take on new challenges in life.

NATURAL REARING

Goats have retained most of the natural behaviour of their wild ancestors and are most comfortable living a pastoral life in a stable herd. When we rear goats in harmony with their natural inclinations, they enjoy higher welfare. Contented goats are calmer, easier to manage, and more able to cope with disease and stress.

In the wild, pregnant goats seek privacy to give birth, rejoining the herd several days later, when kids are strong enough to keep up with adults. In those first few days, kids hide under a bush or in a tussock while their mother forages, and she returns to them regularly to suckle. To mimic this we can provide young families with secluded spots and hiding places for this sensitive period.

The new family quickly forms a strong bond, which can last a lifetime in females (and wethers), although male kids disperse in bachelor groups once they become sexually mature. Females remain together until they kid next season, but frequently resume their relationship after kidding. As kids grow, they form friendships with other kids of similar age, forming a crèche group. As mothers feed to gain nutrients for milk, kids play and rest together, overseen by one or more females grazing nearby.

From five weeks, kids start to be more independent, as they browse more, suckle less, and bond more with their peer group. However, the bond with their dam remains strong. She is the one they run to when frightened. They look to her for the decision to explore or flee, where and when to browse, and which plants to consume.