Single Goat?

[Hansz]

Unfortunately, Vlad, one of our two pet pygmy goats, passed away last night at the stately age of 11. This leaves her sister, Estragon, also at the stately age of 11, all alone. Knowing that goats are social creatures and having only a disinterested cat as a friend, our questions are:

• Do old does do well when being “re-farmed” to a new herd?
• Do old does do well with new kids being introduced to their existing farm?
• If not showing any outward signs of distress, Do old does do well by themselves?
• What else would you be concerned about? What have we forgotten to take into account?

As always, thanks for your time and consideration.

 

[cassie]

I would not re-farm the old goat unless it is necessary. If she does not appear distressed, she may be okay by herself. A companion would be a good idea, though.

 

[maeflower1992]

Rehoming her can cause stress and I would not recommend if possible. It can also be very hard to find a good home for an older goat.

Our older does do fairly well to new kids or goats being introduced. There will be a pecking order established.

It would just depend on if she gets depressed or goes off of food. Some goats may do okay alone but ours have always had a friend of some kind. That really depends on the goat and is hard to say.

How has she been doing?