Goat question

[AmericanMom]

I have the opportunity to trade another small farmer, she is taking 15 of my laying hens, I get her Nubian dwarf goat. The girl is due the end of February.. Would it be wise to move her to a new home or wait until after the kid(s) is born.. The lady lives an hour away and she will be bringing her here in 10 days. I don't have any other goats...yet.. and she said she will bring her Buck who is a gentle boy to keep the doe company until she kids. I have heard two sides of the issue, some say no way, some say should be fine.. Interested in what you all think?? I don't want to endanger the doe nor her kid(s) but also don't want to pass up a great opportunity to barter for something I have wanted for along time I have a list of what the current owner feeds her and I will be sticking to her schedule and feed.

The doe is 4 years old, third freshening and never any past issues with kidding

 

[Stacykins]

just a thought, do you think that perhaps the bearded goats tend to have rougher coats? I agree on her feet tho.

I would also suggest, not feeding where they sleep, and not feeding directly on the ground, and always clean any pan or bowl you feed in.

Beards do not mean rougher coats. There is no correlation. It is a matter of nutrition. Plenty of goats with beards have silky smooth coats because their nutritional needs are being met.

 

[Stacykins]

No, I don't think that at all... Except for the fodder I didn't want to change what the previous owner was feeding her but I see your concern. What would you suggest..

Changes to food can happen slowly. Adding in something like alfalfa pellets will boost protein (it is 16%) and add a great deal of calcium. If she is pregnant she needs calcium more than ever. The ratio of calcium to phosphorus that a goat should be consuming is 2:1. Meaning they need twice the amount of calcium as phosphorus, or they start leaching it from their bones.

Calf manna can boost protein content, too. I have a goat who is a 'hard keeper'. She refuses to eat enough grain to sustain her when she is pregnant or lactating, and will eat hay instead (so basically, she'll eat salad all day when her body needs more). But she will eat some calf manna, it keeps her body condition in check. It is 25% protein and very energy dense. A little goes as long way, it is easy to overdo.

 

[AmericanMom]

Her name is Gwendolyne

 

[crazyfeathers]

Hi, we have fainting goats and love them. My opinion: let her bring the buck as long as they are both healthy as your doe must have a companion. I never bought a goat, who as long as he/she was fed well, had proper shelter, and a fresh water supply have any difficulties adjusting to a new environment. I also purchased pregnant does and never had issues. Our buck has been with the does for birthing and everything went well. I would get the doe now, loan the buck until kid is born and enjoy the birth of your new baby goat. I stress proper shelter, a secure pen, and depending on your temperature, adequate heat for when the baby comes. We are in WI so winter births meant we added some heat. Good luck

 

[crazyfeathers]

Gwendolyn is beautiful!

 

[AmericanMom]

Hi, we have fainting goats and love them. My opinion: let her bring the buck as long as they are both healthy as your doe must have a companion. I never bought a goat, who as long as he/she was fed well, had proper shelter, and a fresh water supply have any difficulties adjusting to a new environment. I also purchased pregnant does and never had issues. Our buck has been with the does for birthing and everything went well. I would get the doe now, loan the buck until kid is born and enjoy the birth of your new baby goat. I stress proper shelter, a secure pen, and depending on your temperature, adequate heat for when the baby comes. We are in WI so winter births meant we added some heat. Good luck

Thank you! We have her shelter all ready (15x30) just need to attach a door for her so can lock her up at night. We plan on having a panel ready for the pen when she goes into labor so we can give her her own space if the need arises.. I so very excited

 

[AmericanMom]

Hi, we have fainting goats and love them. My opinion: let her bring the buck as long as they are both healthy as your doe must have a companion. I never bought a goat, who as long as he/she was fed well, had proper shelter, and a fresh water supply have any difficulties adjusting to a new environment. I also purchased pregnant does and never had issues. Our buck has been with the does for birthing and everything went well. I would get the doe now, loan the buck until kid is born and enjoy the birth of your new baby goat. I stress proper shelter, a secure pen, and depending on your temperature, adequate heat for when the baby comes. We are in WI so winter births meant we added some heat. Good luck

Oh and out here in Oregon our coldest night so far was about 22 a few weeks ago. I do have a heat lamp should the need arise..

 

[cassie]

Moving her won't hurt her. Do you have a way to separate the buck when she kids? A lot of times a doe that has just given birth smells to the buck like she is in heat and he will chase her and try to breed her. The doe does not need this kind of attention at this time.

 

[AmericanMom]

Moving her won't hurt her. Do you have a way to separate the buck when she kids? A lot of times a doe that has just given birth smells to the buck like she is in heat and he will chase her and try to breed her. The doe does not need this kind of attention at this time.

Thank you, yes, we will separate him from her when she is ready to birth....