Behavioral Herdsmanship for Goats

Skip the frustration and learn to work with goats on their level.

This course will provide a foundational understanding of goat behavior and the principles of behavioral herdsmanship and is designed to feel like a sit-down with a farmer. Whether you are a new goat owner or looking to deepen your knowledge, this course covers essential topics including goat behavior, herd dynamics, and effective moving and handling practices.

What You’ll Learn

• Understanding Goat Behavior

  • Recognize common goat behaviors and communication methods.

  • Distinguish between normal and abnormal behaviors.

• Social Structure of Goats

  • Understand hierarchy and social dynamics within a herd.

  • Learn the roles of dominant and subordinate goats.

• Behavioral Herdsmanship Practices

  • Discover the principles of behavioral herdsmanship.

  • Master techniques for observing and managing herd dynamics.

• Moving Goats

  • Learn about personal space and hierarchy in goat movement.

  • Techniques for pull herding and utilizing the “rubber band” effect.

  • Strategies for safely moving individual goats.

• Avoiding Chaos

  • Understand and learn to avoid "goat chaos" in your management decisions

• Practical Examples

  • Watch the instructor move goats in practical examples

  • Troubleshooting

This online course is available for free thanks to the NE-DBIC and Moxie Ridge Farm.