Have you seen your goats butting heads with each other? Are you sure it is natural? Are you worried about them? This article can help you out.
For new goat owners, this can be a stressful thing to have to deal with? Is this normal? Are the goats unhappy? Is it because of something you are doing? How dangerous are they to people?
Answer: Goats are herd animals. Head Butting is part of determining the herd hierarchy, playing, and self defense. Goats are literally built for headbutting as science indicates that a goat skull can withstand up to 60 times the force that a human skull can withstand.
Goats Head Butting or Charging Children Can Be A Big Risk On The Farm!
*** Please Be Aware and Appropriately Protective Of Children Near Goats ***
Goats are some of the most famous (or infamous, depending on your history with them) animals that you will often find on a farm. The sound they make is pretty iconic, they have a shape, coat of fur, and other characteristics that set them apart from other similar-sized farmyard staples, such as sheep and pigs.
And that’s not even mentioning the horns that these animals can grow!
Probably the most iconic parts of these animals are the horns that they grow. Although there are plenty of goats out there with little or no horns, it’s kind of hard to picture a normal goat without them.
However, having these tools that nature has provided them also comes with some concerns. These natural weapons can be pretty nasty, and it means that you need to be careful when around these animals.
This makes it all the more strange and confusing when you see these animals using those horns to headbutt things. Fences, other goats. Even people sometimes!
Well, that’s what we’re here to answer! We’re going to discuss what exactly goats use those horns for, and whether you should be worried about what they do with them, as well as some helpful tips if you feel that your goats are headbutting things too much.
Why Do Goats Headbutt?
Let’s start with the obvious question: Why exactly do goats spend so much of their time headbutting things?
Well, in short, it’s because they are built for it.
Although they are technically herd animals, goats tend to adopt a hierarchical system within groups when they are put together in larger herds. The way that these hierarchies are often established is through headbutting contests. This way, leaders of the herd that can help lead groups and alerts them to predators are established.
And when we say goats are built for headbutting, it isn’t just a behavioral thing either. Goat’s skulls can handle up to 60 times the amount of force that a human can, which, along with keratin in goat’s horns, helps reduce the risk of serious injury from headbutting things. according to some studies.
Not only that, but the joints between the vertebra on a goat’s neck, as well as other connective tissues around the sinuses, are tougher and more complex than many other animals, which helps protect their necks from serious injury whilst they are out there butting heads.
This behavior isn’t just limited to establishing a pecking order for goat herds, either. It’s also a popular way for goats to communicate and play with each other, and a way of helping burn energy that they otherwise struggle to get out of their system, both for adults and for young goat kids.
On the subject of younger goats, headbutting is a great way to learn proper goat etiquette from a young age, in the same way that it is vital for kittens and puppies to learn to play nice with other animals. It helps stop the development of behavioral problems that may be an issue for keeping and looking after them later in life.
Lastly, goats also use headbutting as self defense against predators. Goats, like many farm yard animals, are a prey animal. Coyotes, foxes, wolves, and dogs all are goat predators.
Is It Safe For Goats To Headbutt?
As we have just shown, headbutting is a completely natural behavior for your goats to show most of the time. As a primary way for goats to communicate outside of vocalization, it is healthy for your goats to engage in a little headbutting with each other from time to time.
Factors You Should Consider For Your Goat’s Health
Of course, sometimes a goat’s headbutts can be taken too far. Like with many behaviors, both in humans and the animal kingdom, moderation is key for headbutting. Y
ou may find that your goat or goats are headbutting a little too often for your liking, potentially damaging your fences, their shelters, themselves, each other, and even you and your children.
If in doubt, you can check with your vet to get some insights on your goat’s behavior. However, if you find that their headbutting is becoming harmful, here are a few things you should keep in mind:
Goat Boredom
This can be the case if your goats do not live in a large enough or interesting space. With little else to do to occupy their time, many goats will find that headbutting is the only way to pass their time. This is especially the case if a goat is living alone, or has become isolated from its group.
Giving goats plenty to do and being well-socialized is the quickest way to help stop excessive headbutting.
Goat Stress
On the flip side, the opposite is also true. Goats that feel stressed or otherwise threatened will likely act aggressively to whatever they feel is threatening them, whether that’s their enclosures, other goats, or even people.
Make sure that you find the source of a goat’s stress, and deal with it. They should start behaving normally again soon.
Goat Overcrowding
We already mentioned how headbutting helps establish a social hierarchy among goats. However, once a goat herd becomes too big for its given space, fighting and aggressive heat butting will start to appear more frequently amongst your goats. Make sure that your goats are not overcrowded and have plenty of resources.
Why Do Goats Head butt Humans?
We’ve all heard stories of friends or family getting tackled or headbutted by an angry goat. How often this happens for you will depend on the goat.
Generally speaking, if your goats are familiar with you and are well looked after, it is unlikely that a goat will want to headbutt you in most cases. However, if they are meeting a new person, or are otherwise threatened, they may feel the need to defend themselves with a strong headbutt.
Additionally, headbutting is a way of playing. Some goats may be prone to headbutting, thinking that they are playing. Again, please be keenly aware of your situation and of where your children are when they are near your goats.
Here’s a cute video of a goat and a bull playing by headbutting each other!
Final Thoughts On Why Do Goats Headbutt
Goat headbutting is normal behavior for your goat and is even good for them on occasion. Goats use headbutting to establish a hierarchy and to play and exercise.
Still, it’s always worth keeping an eye out for excessive headbutting.
Excessive headbutting may result from stress, boredom, or overcrowding. Do your best to alleviate stress for your goats and do contact your local veterinarian if you have concerns.
Lastly, manage down risk of injury by watching yourself and your children when you and they are near the goats!