Brandy

In order to tell you about our Boer goat, Brandy, we must include her herd mate Jim Bob. We received a call from a veterinarian technician that we know asking us to take a Boer goat buck. He had severely overgrown hooves, eight inches overgrown to be exact. This made it very difficult for Jim to walk. He spent most of his days on his knees which caused his front right leg to atrophy. He was also suffering from an upper respiratory infection. We agreed to take Jim and Brandy, how could we not? We believe that bonded pairs should be kept together and no goat should be left by itself.

On January 29, 2010, we took ownership of Jim and Brandy. During the transport, they rode in the back of our SUV. It was very obvious what a strong bond they had, as Brandy laid her head on Jim's back. 

Brandy and Jim were housed in a separate area abutting the main farm animal enclosure. Although the males are usually the protectors of the herd, Jim was physically incapable of that task. Brandy wasted no time showing her dominance and protecting Jim. The goats, both our established herd and our new goats, fought through the fence. This is very typical. We put up visual barriers to curb the fighting and it worked. 

On February 8, Jim went to New Tampa Animal Hospital for his much-needed hoof trim, and was also neutered. Brandy cried the whole time and refused to eat. Jim came home the next day sporting a handsome pedicure. Brandy couldn't have been happier. 

We gave Jim daily leg therapy and trimmed his hooves every three weeks. Jim was progressing nicely; however, Brandy remained his protector. 

One day in March I looked out the back window to see Sampson, the herd leader of our established herd, in with Jim and Brandy. Sampson had broken through the fence, but there was no fighting or any type of aggression. I had agonized over the best way to introduce all the goats and they did it themselves on their terms. To the best of my knowledge, Sampson was never aggressive towards Jim. In fact the only goat that ever challenged him was Brandy, and that was minimal.

Finally, Jim and Brandy were members of a goat herd, and what is even better, Sampson allowed JIm Bob to co-lead the herd. Brandy and Jim remained very close. 

On April 25, 2010, our Sweet Boy Jim died. It was too little, too late for this gentle spirit, a life cut short by neglect. Brandy stood on the outskirts of the yard until I called her over. She walked and sniffed him as if to say, "Good-bye", turned and returned to the rest of the herd who remained at a distance.

Brandy had already established her place in the herd which most likely made it easier for her. Had she been the only goat, left by herself, I have no doubt it would have been much more stressful. 

Brandy is an integral part of our herd. Boer goats are usually mild mannered, which is good since they are large goats. They are also meat goats, a fate that will never happen to Brandy.

Currently, Brandy is ranked number two in the goat dominance hierarchy. She is very good with kids (the children kind, not the goat kind) and a very important part of our Educational Program.