Info about H & J
HENRY was born on 29th January 1997. He is 85cm in length, 62cm tall and approx. 26cm wide.
JOEY was born on 25th December 1996 (Christmas Day) and died on 5th March 2007 (aged 10 years, 3 months). He was 80cm in length, 57cm tall and approx. 30cm wide.
They were both castrated at birth, and had their horns removed, making them
'disbudded'. Their mothers were different but their fathers were the same,
making them half-brothers. When Henry sits down, he scrapes the surface he's
about to sit on with his hoof, to ensure he removes any debris that could
stab him as he sits down (this is a natural instinct). Joey also used to do
this, but not as much as Henry does.
They would also scrape their hooves and raise their hackles whilst playfully
butting. This was in order to threaten each other! Goats also raise their
hackles if they're excited, angry, or if they have just shaken their fur. If
Henry tastes or smells something he's not
familiar with, he'll curl his upper lip up for a few seconds in order to
analyse the smell/taste and try and work out what it is! Joey also used to
do this.
Henry is a very unique character, as was Joey. As such, they did not share
all the same likes and dislikes! For example, Henry hates having his back
legs touched (probably because it reminds him of having his hooves
clipped!), but Joey did not mind if his legs were touched. Similarly, if a
hot air balloon passed over their paddock (even at a great height), Joey
would scrape the ground and bleat loudly at it! Henry, on the other hand, is
rather nervous of balloons and tends to hide in the shed when they pass
over!
They also shared many likes and dislikes. The 'likes' they shared included
being fed treats, sunbathing, and playfully butting. They both shared common
dislikes; the main one of which was when the neighbours let off fireworks -
they hated the loud noises, and would often huddle together in their shed as
they thought the noises were a threat to them! Since Joey's death, Henry has
coped surprisingly well during the Bonfire Night season, and actually does
not seem to be as scared as he used to. It's possible that witnessing Joey
being scared made him even more scared himself!
