Bottle vs. Dam raising goats

[BeeandThistle]

Hello!

My sweet Daisy goat is pregnant and due in a few weeks! I’m a first time goat .... birther(?)

I’m trying to figure out how to raise the healthiest, sweetest kids that will eventually go to 4H kids and families as pets.

What are your tips and recommendations? I feel like I’m repeating the experience of having my own babies lol-
Thank you!

 

[Hardknockshomestead]

Hello!

My sweet Daisy goat is pregnant and due in a few weeks! I’m a first time goat .... birther(?)

I’m trying to figure out how to raise the healthiest, sweetest kids that will eventually go to 4H kids and families as pets.

What are your tips and recommendations? I feel like I’m repeating the experience of having my own babies lol-
Thank you!

I wish i could help, but i am also a new goat owner with the same question. Hopefully someone will answer your question!
Good luck, my fellow noob!

 

[Gray Farms]

They should be mother raised any messed with daily to make for well rounded, people friendly goats. Bottle babies tend to be obnoxious when the get older. And bottle baby males can get down right dangerous when the get 2-3 years old.

 

[AltonaAcres]

Bottle raising will make the kids needy, loud, and sometimes less healthy. Its also lots of work bottle feeding the kids, in addition to feeling cruel when you take the newborns away from their mom. If you let the doe feed them, just be sure to handle the kids and practice having them in a show collar, and they should be just as sweet as a bottle baby!

 

[Gray Farms]

Also if it is her first time you need to watch close. Make sure she doesn't have trouble delivering them. Make sure she cleans them and gets them up. Make sure she has milk and will feed them. If she rejects the kids or doesn't have milk then you'll have to bottle feed them.

 

[AltonaAcres]

I would check on her several times a night the week she's due. Make sure you've researched possible issues in kidding, and how to resolve them.

 

[AltonaAcres]

@Gray Farms, I see you raise Spitzhuabens! I have one, and she's a joy. They are so rare and beautiful.

 

[Gray Farms]

@Gray Farms, I see you raise Spitzhuabens! I have one, and she's a joy. They are so rare and beautiful.

I really like them. I've raised them for 8 years now. Basically starting over this year, I culled down to just my best pair.

 

[Gray Farms]

Also have the number of you local vet handy if you should need. First timers can be a challenge and a headache. Or they just plop them out and do great.

 

[AltonaAcres]

Study up on delivering breach babies too.

I'd love to see a picture of your Spitzhauben pair if you have one