4 ms·
We used to keep a mixed flock of goats and Katahdin sheep. We got rid of the goats. The event that tipped us over the edge was when my wife was on a ladder tryi
by GlenTheMachine 7y ago
We used to keep a mixed flock of goats and Katahdin sheep. We got rid of the goats. The event that tipped us over the edge was when my wife was on a ladder trying to fix the gutters on the barn. One of the goats was watching her with a jaundiced eye. After she got to the top of the ladder and was leaning over trying to reach the loose gutter, the goat decided that was the perfect time to butt the ladder - attempted homicide of the shepherd.
But this was just the last event in a long line of offenses. There is a good reason why sheep are associated with righteousness and goats with wickedness in the Bible. Sheep treat each other with much more kindness than goats. When you feed grain to the sheep, the first sheep sees you, baa's, and the rest of the herd comes running. They jostle each other at the grain feeder but fundamentally everyone gets to eat. When you feed goats, on the other hand, the first goat who sees you will try to sneak into the barnyard without making a sound, the better to eat all the grain herself. If two (or more) goats see you, they will proceed to fight in order to decide who gets to eat first. They will do this every single day, without fail, the same fight over and over and over.
Sheep have a sociality. When it's time to leave the barn in the morning, everyone lines up single file, with the head ewe in front and the ram, if there is one, in the very back. The head ewe will take a few steps, stop, look and smell. Everyone behind her will stop and wait. She'll take a few more steps and repeat. The ram makes sure nobody gets left behind. Going a hundred yards into the pasture can take ten minutes.
We never found any sociality in goats. Sheep are members of a tribe. Goats are the ultimate individuals.
- whb07 7y agoI hope your wife is okay! If I’d see that happen, guess it’s goat stew for dinner.
- cm2012 7y agoHigh vs Low trust cultures in a nutshell.
- GuiA 7y agoWhat kind of goats did you have? I have a few friends with Nubians who have nothing but praise for them, and they’re a breed I contemplate keeping down the line.
- GlenTheMachine 7y agoBoers. Your standard meat goat. I have been around Nubians. They seem sane.
- ndespres 7y agoMy nubians (and nubian/alpine crosses) are much more personable and sociable. I attribute it to the breed being selected for these traits, so that they will be gentle and docile on the milking stand. They're gentle and sweet. My boers, on the other hand, don't care much for this type of relationship with people. They'll swarm you for food, sure, but they seem much more interested in goats than in people. I don't think any of them particularly like me.
- mikeg8 7y agoI love my two nubians, they have great personalities and are very sweet but they are also known for being very vocal/loud. There have been a few Saturday mornings where I wanted to strangle them, but if loud goats isn't an issue for you, nubians are awesome.
- Isamu 7y agoYeah, our goats were cute but jerks. The sheep were only annoying when they decided to ignore all attempts to herd them.
- eitland 7y agoMy dad grew up on a goat farm. He has a strong dislike for goats as well. > There is a good reason why sheep are associated with righteousness and goats with wickedness in the Bible. I think this got mentioned as well. Edit: also some of them are extreme when it comes to escaping, would jump cross a two meter high fence uphill.
- avip 7y agoLet’s not rush into careless generalizations. I have few alpine goats and they are gentle and kind. Never had sheep for comparison.
- mikeg8 7y agoReferring to goats as the "ultimate individuals" is very opposite my experience. I currently own 2 alpines and 2 Nubians. Not a big herd but I spend a lot of time with them. They are a cohesive group. They never separate, doing everything together. If one gets stuck or outside my fencing, the others cry until they are re-united. While goats may be selfish at feeding time, they are very social animals, dependent on their herd/families. A lone goat is a very sad animal.
- GlenTheMachine 7y agoThis is a good point.
- narnianal 7y agoIt's like dogs vs cats as pets.