Are goats stubborn and hard to handle?
Well—-stubborn, sometimes, but not hard to handle! Kids that are separated from their dams at birth and hand-raised will bond to you and will be very easy to handle even as adults. They are, in fact, one of the most delightful aspects of goatkeeping and are as affectionate and loving as any family pet! Bucks raised in this manner are also gentle as adults but we always advise caution when bucks go into their rut. They can become more aggressive during this time. A first freshening doe will also bond to you more strongly since you are milking her and become like her kid. Our does happily jump onto their milkstands twice a day and most are quite patient during the milking process. We do use a very comfortable and humane hobble to secure their back legs which ensures that no hooves find their way into the milk pail! It becomes quite routine and acceptable to them. In fact, milking time is the most eagerly anticipated event of the day!
