Goat Thread!

[chicapee]

Good morning! My lovely husband bought me these 2 for my birthday. I have no idea what breeds they might be.
I have named them Captain Jack Sparrow (Jack) and Matilda (Tilly).

 

[henny1129]

Cute goats chicapee! To me they look like mixes, but the I think the white one has some Saanen in it and the brown one has some Nubian or Boer in it.

 

[henny1129]

Thanks that makes sense, but what does this mean?

Hey chixcoop! I'll try to answer your question to the best of my ability. When we refer to a doe that has dried off, all we mean is that she has stopped giving milk for that specific kidding. When we say freshen it means that a doe has started giving milk. And kidding means when the doe gives birth.

 

[chixcoop]

When a doe needs to be dried off two months before she freshens (kids) again does this mean that I will have a goat not giving milk for about 2 months? I guess that makes sense because they're not like egg-a-day chickens.

I am wondering of the steps or cycle that a goat owner goes through annually to get baby goats and milk! For example if I started out with two 5 month LaManchas would these be the step I would take and repeat?

1. Wait until the does are 7 months old before breeding.
2. Take them to another LaMancha buck and pay a stud fee while they are in heat.
3. They are pregnant (this is where I start to get confused of what happens)
4. When do they start producing milk after being with the male?
5. After the doe has the baby, how long will it take her before she stops giving milk? (In other words, how many months/days will a doe be able to give milk per baby goat)
6. When is a good time to re-breed a doe after she has babies.
7. When do the babies leave the mother.

Sorry for the really long question but this is what I've been wondering about. I always feel better knowing the steps ahead of time before I get into goats.

 

[henny1129]

[COLOR=333333] When a doe needs to be dried off two months before she freshens (kids) again does this mean that I will have a goat not giving milk for about 2 months? I guess that makes sense because they're not like egg-a-day chickens.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=333333]I am wondering of the steps or cycle that a goat owner goes through annually to get baby goats and milk! For example if I started out with two 5 month LaManchas would these be the step I would take and repeat?[/COLOR]

1. [COLOR=333333]Wait until the does are 7 months old before breeding.[/COLOR]
2. [COLOR=333333]Take them to another LaMancha buck and pay a stud fee while they are in heat.[/COLOR]
3. [COLOR=333333]They are pregnant (this is where I start to get confused of what happens)[/COLOR]
4. [COLOR=333333]When do they start producing milk after being with the male?[/COLOR]
5. [COLOR=333333]After the doe has the baby, how long will it take her before she stops giving milk? (In other words, how many months/days will a doe be able to give milk per baby goat)[/COLOR]
6. [COLOR=333333]When is a good time to re-breed a doe after she has babies.[/COLOR]
7. [COLOR=333333]When do the babies leave the mother.[/COLOR]

[COLOR=333333]Sorry for the really long question but this is what I've been wondering about. I always feel better knowing the steps ahead of time before I get into goats.[/COLOR]

I don't breed goats but I know a couple people who do, so I can answer some of your questions I think.
First off, yes it does mean that you won't have milk for at least two months.
Wait until the does are 7 months old before breeding them.
Normally you wait until the doe is 80 lbs. Normally dairy breeds like the LaMancha reach this weight when they are 8 months old. Also, keep in mind that dairy breeds are seasonal breeders so they normally can't be bred and come into heat until around August.
Take them to another LaMancha Buck and pay a stud fee when they are in heat.
Yes, you can do this while they are in heat. Make sure you find a reliable person with a good buck to breed too. In other words, make sure the buck is healthy and has good breed traits and general goat traits.

Unfortunately these are the only questions I can give you confident and correct answers too, I wouldn't want to give you wrong answers. Hopefully this helps a little bit and someone else can answer the rest of your questions. I also think it's great you are researching before committing to goats! If you have any more questions please just ask!
henny1129

 

[chixcoop]

will my goats need shots and a vet?

Will they cost in vet bills the same as a horse?

 

[chicapee]

Cute goats chicapee! To me they look like mixes, but the I think the white one has some Saanen in it and the brown one has some Nubian or Boer in it.

Thanks you.

 

[CntryBoy777]

[VIDEO]

[/VIDEO]
Comet was helping with the 'Quack Shack'......checking, inspecting, and testing.....LOL!!...he is one crazy 'Beast' I tell ya !!

 

[henny1129]

Hey all! Sorry for not being on for a few days, we were camping and didn't have any internet.

It's your choice to have a vet, most people do just to have the extra back-up. The important vaccines for your goats are CDT and clostridium shots. Goats are really pretty hardy animals that don't get injured a lot and I would say they are less expensive health wise than horses. Oh and when the goats are kids they get their coccidiosis treatments too. And if you're getting older goats it's important to make sure they have been vaccinated before.
Sorry, your post didn't show up, I don't know why....

Thanks you.

Of course!

[VIDEO]

[/VIDEO]
Comet was helping with the 'Quack Shack'......checking, inspecting, and testing.....LOL!!...he is one crazy 'Beast' I tell ya !!

LOL! He's adorable!

 

[henny1129]

How is everyone and their goats?