What to Expect When Bringing New Goats Home
Bringing home goats is exciting, but it is also an adjustment period that can feel overwhelming if you do not know what to expect. Whether you are bottle feeding babies under ten weeks old or settling in a pair of new does, goats are vocal, emotional, and highly social animals. Understanding their behavior, feeding needs, and bonding process will help you make the transition easier for them and for you.
If your new goats are babies under ten weeks old, they will need bottle feeding at least twice a day. Some people keep them on milk longer, while others begin weaning around this age. Either way, be prepared for crying. Baby goats call loudly when they are hungry, lonely, or just looking for comfort. If you wean them early, expect at least a week of nonstop hollering every time they see you, or even when they do not. It is perfectly normal, but it can wear on your nerves if you are not prepared. To help ease the transition, make sure they have access to hay, water, and starter grain so their rumen develops properly. Weaning gradually instead of cutting them off all at once can make a big difference.
Older goats can be just as noisy. When you bring home a new doe or two, one of them will almost always cry out each time you step outside. Sometimes the calls sound like talking, and other times they come out as full-on screams. This is their way of looking for reassurance or attention as they adjust to a new environment. Usually the calling lasts a week or two before they settle into your routine.
Bonding with goats during this period is important, especially with young kids or goats that are not tame. Simply being present helps them get used to you. Sit quietly in their pen, let them approach you, and move slowly so they do not feel chased or pressured. If you have a very skittish goat, holding them close to your chest until they stop struggling can speed up the taming process. Once they realize that being handled is safe, they often begin to relax around you. This approach helped me with a junior doe that was nearly feral, and it completely changed our relationship.
Treats are another powerful tool, but they should be used carefully. Animal crackers, apples, carrots, or a handful of grain can work wonders when it comes to building trust. Hand feeding teaches goats to come closer without fear. The trick is not to hand out treats too early or too often, because they will quickly learn to scream for food every time they see you. Save them for moments when you are reinforcing trust and calm behavior.
It is also wise to think about health and safety during the transition. New goats should be quarantined for a short period before joining your existing herd so you can watch for signs of illness or parasites. Provide shelter that is dry and draft-free, with clean bedding and access to minerals and water. Stress can weaken their immune system, so keeping their environment comfortable will help them stay healthy. Watch closely for symptoms like coughing, diarrhea, or refusal to eat, which may point to stress-related illness.
All of this may sound like a lot of noise, work, and patience—and it is—but it is also part of what makes goats so rewarding. Their calls, quirks, and stubborn personalities are how they communicate, and once they trust you, they will show just as much affection back. The first days may be filled with hollering and escape attempts, but with consistency, kindness, and a few treats at the right time, your new goats will settle in and soon feel like part of the family.
