Chat
My apologies I didn't mean hijack or to start a horned versus hornless debate. That said, don't get me wrong, I LOVE the look of horns...I love the concept of potential defensive weapons. (I wish David Suisse was around to comment on this though.) Parts of me would love a horned herd...I think the concept of horns as coolers is great although I think hornless goats adapt to heat.
I have a hornless herd for my own reasons...many of the reasons brought up including that they tend to be a bit more aggressive and hard on stuff if they have them. I do know that I have never heard of any one injured by a head butt of a hornless goat or serious property damaged by one...even serious injuries to other goats by a hornless goat is much more rare. I have heard and witnessed the opposite on MANY occasions. They KNOW they have them, they know exactly where they are and how to use them including to get what they want. When they are bored they get used.
I don't personally own my corrals, fences or barns...they are borrowed & I am grateful to have the use. I also have visitors including many small children & I can't fully control access. I have small children & will have grandchildren in the near future. (Likely 2-3 yrs) I hike VERY narrow mountain trails with my kids & Boy-Scouts with as much as +1000' shear drops (although this much drop is obviously pretty rare..but even a 100 ft' can be deadly)...I cannot afford mistakes or accidents...period.
Again, each of us have different situations & it is a personal judgment call...I still LOVE the look of the horned crews...majestic in the least!
That all said...what I was referring to, while not often, sometimes my goats go sweeping by me & even thump my elbows etc as they go by...especially at times coming off of hills. Kikos that I have seen are like the Texas long horns of goats & on a narrow mountain trail I could see this being a problem & it scares the heck out of me to think about it especially with kids/Boy-Scouts on the trail. Cr@p happens...I just want to minimize it around me and mine. YMMV...JMHO...everyone's needs & goals are different.
Again, I am SOOOO looking forward to hearing about yours in the coming months & years...I may even add some at some point. (sans horns)
Take care!
I have a hornless herd for my own reasons...many of the reasons brought up including that they tend to be a bit more aggressive and hard on stuff if they have them. I do know that I have never heard of any one injured by a head butt of a hornless goat or serious property damaged by one...even serious injuries to other goats by a hornless goat is much more rare. I have heard and witnessed the opposite on MANY occasions. They KNOW they have them, they know exactly where they are and how to use them including to get what they want. When they are bored they get used.
I don't personally own my corrals, fences or barns...they are borrowed & I am grateful to have the use. I also have visitors including many small children & I can't fully control access. I have small children & will have grandchildren in the near future. (Likely 2-3 yrs) I hike VERY narrow mountain trails with my kids & Boy-Scouts with as much as +1000' shear drops (although this much drop is obviously pretty rare..but even a 100 ft' can be deadly)...I cannot afford mistakes or accidents...period.
(04-14-2014, 07:31 AM)Jake Levi Wrote: Horn use is a dominence or threat reaction, to see who will be the dominant breeder. I havent heard of any pack goats making threats on the trail. Has anyone else here? Size and growth are real with this breed, I am going to be very interested in watching them develop. The Ibex too although I wonder if I am ready for such a long term project as them. Right now their price is way out of my reach. But just on hetrosis I am sure some size could be gained. Again, I dont forsee a problem with the horns.
Time will tell.
Again, each of us have different situations & it is a personal judgment call...I still LOVE the look of the horned crews...majestic in the least!
That all said...what I was referring to, while not often, sometimes my goats go sweeping by me & even thump my elbows etc as they go by...especially at times coming off of hills. Kikos that I have seen are like the Texas long horns of goats & on a narrow mountain trail I could see this being a problem & it scares the heck out of me to think about it especially with kids/Boy-Scouts on the trail. Cr@p happens...I just want to minimize it around me and mine. YMMV...JMHO...everyone's needs & goals are different.
Again, I am SOOOO looking forward to hearing about yours in the coming months & years...I may even add some at some point. (sans horns)
Take care!
LOCATION: Top-of-Utah at the South base of Ben Lomond