buck.behavior

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Buck Behavior

Bucks go into rut. This is when they are the most interested in breeding &

they get their "work clothes" on below is Auto's front legs, notice they are not white. They are suppose to be though!!

The constant urination on the front legs can cause hair loss, rubbing, rashes, etc. Even though it is a VERY stinky job, checking on your buck's legs during rut at least every few days will help to catch any problem before it becomes too painful for him. You can wash his legs with warm soap and water, but be prepared on white goats, they do not come very clean!

12/30/10

This is a photo of the rough buck behavior! Jack the new man that visited for a few months attacks a newly acquired Benediction.

Contrary to popular belief bucks can live together peacefully once the pecking order has been established. This I'm sure isn't true for ALL bucks, but we've been fortunate that all of the bucks we've associated with can be pastured together. Just like does they will need adequate space to eat. I've found that a feeder like one below where bucks eat from the top, there is little to no fighting! If fed in barrels, or on the ground there is alot of wrestling.

(Below, Jack, Wham and Auto)

I really prefer to keep my young bucklings with my bucks as long as the adult bucks are somewhat tolerant of them. I feel the young bucks learn how to be big boys from them. However, if your dominant buck (like Eclipse) is a jerk at times, the last thing you want is your young guys learning THAT behavior! When Eclipse first came if was a very bad boy. He taught Auto some very bad things, that involved attacking people. That was quickly stopped with a hand held cattle prod. Once Eclipse calmed down and realized we were not going to hurt him, that we would give him treats and scratches, then Auto himself calmed down. Even Rey became friendly! But they feed off each other, and the bad boy caused all sorts of problems!

(Photo below, Summitview Mater wanting daddy to get up to play)

Rey had always been the main man until Eclipse came fall 2008. Rey and Eclipse fought and fought for probably 7 hours or more. Finally they agreed to equal truce, Eclipse was for the most part in charge unless there was food involved, Rey would never leave his food he stood his ground and Eclipse made a lot of noise, but respected him I think. Below, you wouldn't know they weren't friends. They ended up being great pals.

When Lynx Hollow Wham came to visit in 2009 he was royally picked on and he had a very submissive personality with the bucks and the does. I found to make his transition easier he spent a few days with the bucks and a few days away. Then when I decided it was it he was going to stay with the bucks I put a big wether in with him at the same time. This gave ALL the bucks something to do besides chase Wham around. Instead, Wham became part of the tag team to "befriend" the wether. They forgot about Wham and after that there were no more issues for Wham. He was officially a buck compadre.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Keeping Buck Companions

Does Living With Bucks 24/7

Bucks relationships with his does

Breeding Behavior

Aggressive Bucks

Keeping a Bottle Baby a Buck

(From experience)