Goat handling is strongly influenced by the fact that they seem to enjoy companionship and being handled once they have become used to it. Regularly handled dairy goats are often very friendly. Fibre-producing breeds seem to be more reserved, but even they soon get used to being handled, and in small numbers can be almost as amenable to handling as the dairy breeds. The exceptions are the males. Although rarely unfriendly, their strong, almost overpowering smell makes them unattractive animals to handle, and as a result they are often handled badly.
Catching goats: The inquisitiveness of goats can often be used to good advantage when an individual animal is handled. The group should be approached quietly and in a friendly manner. The handler should enter the pen and, if necessary, pretend to carry out some task to attract their attention. They will almost certainly crowd around, and then it is a simple matter to hold one. Although goats are very inquisitive, they are also cunning and soon learn when the handler is trying to catch one of them, so care should be taken to avoid a time-wasting chase. Once goats are caught, they can be restrained by a firm hold around the neck at the base of the skull. A collar should then be used. Fibre-producing goats such as Angoras should not be restrained by holding their fleece, as this will cause excessive bruising under the skin.
Goats are natural followers and should be led rather than driven when ever possible. A lot of time can be saved if the goats are taught to recognize a food bucket or bag. They will usually follow a handler into a pen if they think they are going to be fed. Goats that are not used to regular handling, such as some fibre-producing types run out on hill land, will need to be handled for some routine treatments, e.g. vaccination and drenching.
