[toth boer goats]

A buddy would help.


I hate messing with bucks horn area's, when they are older, however, it is a great way to break the ice with any goat.

All goats love it when scratched between the horns, they give into it quickly. I will have them on a rope, I will be sitting in a chair and scratch them between the horns, I let them back away, still holding the rope. I then hold out my hand and say "It's OK" in a soft voice and do a scratching motion out towards them with my hands, if they don't approach me, within a short time, I will pull them back in and scratch again, they will soon come to your hand wanting that scratch, they may back away a few times, but, will always give in to it. I normally do this with young kids, to break the ice and it always works. With bucks, I stop this as soon as I can start petting and scratching elsewhere.
May take a few days to get him use to it, but with time, he will cave in. Then after he is good with that, start scratching around the neck ect.

To walk him, let him go wherever he wants to at first, just walk him with a halter/rope or a collar. Walk towards a favorite tree or forage to nibble on.

You can tie him up and let him learn, that pulling against himself, isn't fun and eventually he will learn not to fight it. Be there every minute though, in case he gets into trouble.

Also, you can start walking him and with the tension on the rope, wait til he give's one step, then praise him by a scratch or a treat. Say Good boy as well. Repeat until you get response to move forward. Reward. Eventually you will get more steps. Just work with him for 15 minutes at a time, leave on a good note, make it enjoyable. They remember that.

You can sit there in a chair with him on a rope/collar and have a small tree branch, that he may like. Make it where he has to come to you to get it. Anything he may love to eat, have there, so it encourages him to come get it. Talk to him in a soft voice and scratch between the horns at first.
Remember, after he trusts you, then you can stop the between the horns scratches, it isn't good to do with bucks, but if you have to break the ice, it helps.

Good luck

 

[toth boer goats]

If you can get a band over both testies, he can be banded. I would make sure he has a tetanus shot or CD&T at minimum.
Give him Banamine for pain and swelling. If he is big, but you manage to get both testicles in the band, he will be uncomfortable for a few days. Make sure, you don't get his teats in the banding, make sure they are clear.

I agree, bucks can be temperamental and unpredictable when in rut.

 

[toth boer goats]

My kids are at a heavier weight then that and we can still get the band on them.

Sedating goats, is risky, some, do not do well with it, some don't come out of it.

I had a 300lb goat sedated for surgery and it took very little to knock him out and it was very fast, it is a bit unnerving.

 

[toth boer goats]

Sedation of any kind, can be risky with some goats, so be aware.
Like I mentioned before, it doesn't take much, which is scary, if you have a vet that gives just a little too much, they do not come out of it.

Some goats do OK, but others it is not good. You never know, until they are put under.