Goats establish hierarchy in a herd through a process called "pecking order," which involves displays of dominance and submission. This hierarchy is often determined through physical interactions such as headbutting, posturing, and vocalizations. The more dominant goats will typically have access to resources like food, shelter, and mates, while subordinate goats may have to wait their turn or defer to the more dominant individuals. This social structure helps maintain order within the herd and reduces the likelihood of conflict.