Keeping a Buck Goat Happy

By Alex Becker – Goats are social, energetic creatures. While most breeders keep several does together in the herd, bucks are often penned separately, mostly because they’re harder to keep in fences, harder on equipment, typically bigger, more aggressive, and more affected by seasons (rut). This often results in their social needs going largely unmet, except maybe during breeding season. When keeping a buck goat, incorporating lifestyle enrichment ideas can make them happy in seasons other than rut, which makes for a healthier “half of the herd” in the long run.

Is it Okay To Keep Bucks Together?

Although it’s rare to find a group of mature bucks gathered together in a corner, much like most doe herds tend to congregate, they are, in their own way, very social animals, often engaging in headbutting competitions or sometimes lounging near the water tank, chewing cud peacefully. Regardless of what they are doing, bucks enjoy company even if they seem to ignore each other or harass possible opponents.

A simple remedy for buck boredom or loneliness is to keep a wether as a companion. A wether lacks the combative testosterone that another buck might bring to the equation, is usually easier on equipment, and typically takes less maintenance than a buck or doe since they don’t go through the breeding season changes in personality.

For larger goat herds, it can work to house several bucks together, especially if their relationships start out from birth or at a young age, so they know each other well. It is always important to keep an eye on them during rut or if there are does in heat near their pen in case they start going after each other violently. Some people even let their bucks run with the does all year, either not worrying about when does are bred or rigging a buck-apron on their buck to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

A Bored Goat Will Look for Trouble

Even with companionship, it is important to keep bucks active, healthy, and happy. A bored goat is often the one that will start beating up on others or start destroying equipment and facilities. If a goat doesn’t have something to do, they’ll often find a way to keep themselves entertained. This entertainment can come from many sources and can be anywhere from a cheap barrel thrown into the pen for the bucks to butt around, or as elaborate as a multi-story tower that they can climb up and down.

Making Things Fun When Keeping a Buck Goat

Naturally occurring buck enrichment ideas can be as simple as a stand of trees that can provide shelter, food, scratching posts, and head-to-branch mangling opportunities. Rocks of various sizes can provide climbing challenges while also helping maintain healthy hooves. Various materials can also be brought into the pen. Some people sink tires into the ground so that they are partially buried, and the goats can climb on top or crawl through the center. Empty wooden electrical spools work well, allowing resting areas, jumping, and shade (mainly for smaller goats).

Various balls, barrels, ramps, and logs are popular, inexpensive goat toys. Getting even more innovative, some people have found ways to rig hanging objects from chew toys to punching bags, or even setting up brushes of different sizes for the goats to rub on.

Making an effort to enrich our animals’ lives doesn’t require an extensive budget or large amounts of space to achieve great results. Keeping a buck goat happy and entertained helps him and you. A happy goat is easier to handle and less stressful on equipment. Enrichment ideas might even help them live longer and more productive lives.

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Originally published in the November/December 2016 issue of Dairy Goat Journal.