Small Ruminant Behavior, Handling and Restraint

terminology for goats

Caprine:   Relating to or being a goat

Doe:          Mature female goat

Kid:        Immature (baby) goat of either sex

Wether: Castrated male goat

Buck:       Intact male goat

Kidding:   Parturition in goats

Chevon:    Goat meat

types of goats

Meat: Boer

Dairy: Alpine, LaMancha, Nubian, Saanan

Fleece: Angora

Pets: Pygmy

goat behavior

• Goats are prey animals and feel safest in a herd.

• They are intelligent, curious, and enjoy being around other species.

• Require a different handling approach than sheep.

• When disturbed, they quickly group together and look for an escape route.

• A goat that runs away will return to the herd if not chased.

• Moving goats between paddocks is usually easy; they pass through small gates without hesitation.

• Introducing calm, older goats helps quiet younger animals.

• Goats establish a social hierarchy with dominant males and females.

flight zone

Note:  Tame animals have a smaller flight zone and experience less stress while being handled.

what is kayla’s favorite color

PINK

handling goats

• Handle goats calmly to prevent injury, pain, or stress.

• Behavior depends on handling history, quality, and genetics.

• Never grab goats by their fleece or hair.

• Trim hooves while standing, often on a milking stand.

• Do not use electric prods.

• Use safe, well-maintained equipment without sharp edges.

• Pens should be high enough to prevent jumping or climbing.

• Treatment areas must allow safe, firm restraint.

• Do not overcrowd pens; fill only three-quarters full.

goat restraint

• Use one hand under the jaw and one over the head for hand restraint.

• Lift goats with support under the chest and abdomen.

• Hold horns at the base, never the tips.

• Never lift or drag by ears, horns, tail, hair, or legs.

• Restraint tools include halters, stanchions, headstalls, milking stands, or chutes.

• Equipment should allow quick, secure restraint to reduce stress or injury.

• Always use the least stressful restraint method and release promptly.

sheep terminology

Ewe:        Female of reproductive age

Ram:     Intact male of reproductive age

Lamb:      Young sheep of either sex

Wether:  Castrated male

Mutton:  Meat derived from adult sheep

Lambing:  Parturition in sheep

types of sheep

meat - cheviot, dorset, suffolk

dairy - east friesian, lacaune

wool - columbia, romney 

fine wool - merino

hair - dorper, katahdin, romanov 

sheep behavior

• Sheep are prey animals that rely on fleeing for defense.

• When cornered, they may charge, head-butt, or stomp, especially protective ewes.

• They are strong flock animals that stay close together and follow a leader.

• Separation from the flock causes stress.

• Farmers use their flocking instinct to manage and move them easily

• Sheep are frequently thought of as being unintelligent, but they remember good experiences as well as bad.

sheep handling

• Herding dogs are often used to gather sheep.

• Sheep can be trained to come to a feed bucket rattle.

• If needed, drive the flock from behind.

• Move sheep slowly, calmly, and quietly.

• Small groups can be halter-trained for easier handling.

• Untrained sheep are difficult to lead.

sheep restraint

• Catch and restrain sheep calmly and slowly.

• Use corrals, chutes, or small pens to separate individuals.

• A shepherd’s crook can catch sheep by the neck.

• Restrain by pressing against a wall or straddling gently.

• Halters are useful for treatment or inspection.

• Never grab sheep by their wool—it causes pain and bruising.

• A sheep chair holds the animal on its rump for easy access.

• Trimming or blocking stands let you work comfortably without bending.

up-ending sheep

Easy method of immobilizing animal for routine husbandry

-    hoof trimming

-    udder/penis examinations

how to up-end (herculean method)

Standing on the side of the sheep with one arm under its neck and grasping the flank fold with the other hand, literally roll the sheep onto your legs and then set sheep on its rear.

signs of stress in sheep

•           Increased heart rate

•           Increased respiratory rate

•           Open mouth breathing

•           Panting

•           Collapse

•           Death