Goat Thread

[HipMystic]

No pictures of the goats, because we don't have any, but this is the barn. Ignore the mess, we are trying to repaint the walls. The stalls we plan to put the goats in are fully enclosed, but we will bring them outside to free range and stuff. Atleast thats the plan!

Those stalls are gorgeous!

That's what I'm planning on doing with ducks, they'll eat all the parasites before the goats are put out to pasture

I’d love to hear more about this! You should definitely post updates!

Here's goat pics since they are the only ones making milk and having kids. These cows are slackers

NUBIANS!!! They’re so cute!

 

[Everose]

I’d love to hear more about this! You should definitely post updates!

Okay, I just got my ducks a couple months ago and I'm still working on rotation pasture. I have a few fences to put up, but it won't be long

NUBIANS!!! They’re so cute!

They're actually Mini Nubians, a cross between Nigerian Dwarf and Nubians, they eat half the feed of a standard Nubian but make 2/3 the milk.
They have the coolest personalities, not too wild and not too boring. They're spunky and sophisticated

 

[cherrynberry]

I bought my does from one breeder in VA and my buck from another breeder in NC.
Only have 4 does and one buck so no spreadsheet.
Deworming is important. The Boer goats i had were very sensitive to worms. Personally i prefer Kiko goats if you want to raise meat goats.i recommend deworming before breeding, and as youngsters. You have to watch for pale gums. Too much deworming is not good.

Another question, do you have structures for the goats to jump and play on? Is that recommended?

 

[HipMystic]

They love things jump on- little tykes play structures work great! The adult Boers are too heavy for them, but the kids and Nigerians love them! Large cable spools and picnic tables are also great options, they just need replaced after a while. Pretty much anything they can safely play on will work, I’ve heard of people using tires, tree stumps, or large rocks as well.

 

[cherrynberry]

They love things jump on- little tykes play structures work great! The adult Boers are too heavy for them, but the kids and Nigerians love them! Large cable spools and picnic tables are also great options, they just need replaced after a while. Pretty much anything they can safely play on will work, I’ve heard of people using tires, tree stumps, or large rocks as well.View attachment 2958833View attachment 2958842

Great, thanks. I have a few tree stumps in there already, but thanks for the ideas!

I got a few goat feeders today and will post pictures tomorrow. Another question is what are some good things to look for in terms of genetics?

 

[Cupbernbelle]

I know lots of people on BYC own goats! And my family and I are looking into goats this year. Obviously, I want to be prepared before we get them. So far, we are looking into Nigerian Dwarfs and Boer goats. My dad being the one that wants a few meat goats. I am just asking about Nigerian Dwarfs though. Below are a few of my questions. So, first of all, I want to say that we are looking into getting breeding goats, so we want good genetics and a buck. We have stalls to keep them in, so their housing is under control. Feel free to not answer ALL the questions below, as I have lots.

1.) Do you keep a goat spread sheet to keep count on who needs to be bred and their due dates and such?
2.) I know that ND goats tend to get leg issues. So do you have recommended supplements? I know copper is one goats may be deficient in.
3.) Do you recommend getting polled goats?
4.) How often do you deworm your goats if you do?
5.) What are your favorite goat treats?
6.) Do herbal dewormers for goats tend to work? What do you use?
7.) Where did you get your goats? I am planning on asking a few of my neighbors for recommendations, but I am taking lots of opinions.
8.) How many times do you breed a year? How long can you milk a goat after it gives birth/after the babies are fully weaned?
9.) Do you give any special shots? (please include how they are given, otherwise, I would expect they are intermuscular shots given at the shoulder).
10.) This is my current checklist. Any other recommendations?
- Alfalfa (Making up for 90-95% of their diet)
- Mineral blend and baking soda.
- Hoove clipper
- Brush
- Shaver
- Dewormer (need recommendations on what to get, but I can get safeguard and Valbazen.
- A nice bag of shavings
- Birthing supplies. (we will get these later, but planning to get a lot of stuff.)


I have heard you all own ND goats? @CapricornFarm @Everose @JustBabyMargo @Little Baby Bean Please feel free to tag any one else who may help.

Hi, so a few things first off and most importantly absolutely do not give your goats alfalfa instead give them hay. Alfalfa is to high in sugar and can give your males kidney stones. Also I’d do your research on what can give your male goat kidney stones because it is such a terrible thing to watch your goat pass away from. My favorite treat to give my goats is animal crackers. I buy the big tub at Walmart for $5 and it lasts my 3 girls forever. For supplements I recommend giving your girls copper because girl NDs tend to get deficient and they sell little pills on Amazon that you can break open and put in sweet corn (another good treat) it you only have to give them a pill every 8 months to a year. I do recommend getting polled goats all of mine are polled. When they have horns they can sometimes get power hungry. Also I heard a story once where a goat kept using his horns to break other goats legs. No matter what you need to choose horns or no horns and stick with that decision. That’s it good luck with your new goats. They are so much fun and they truly do make you laugh.

 

[lomine]

Hi, so a few things first off and most importantly absolutely do not give your goats alfalfa instead give them hay. Alfalfa is to high in sugar and can give your males kidney stones. Also I’d do your research on what can give your male goat kidney stones because it is such a terrible thing to watch your goat pass away from. My favorite treat to give my goats is animal crackers. I buy the big tub at Walmart for $5 and it lasts my 3 girls forever. For supplements I recommend giving your girls copper because girl NDs tend to get deficient and they sell little pills on Amazon that you can break open and put in sweet corn (another good treat) it you only have to give them a pill every 8 months to a year. I do recommend getting polled goats all of mine are polled. When they have horns they can sometimes get power hungry. Also I heard a story once where a goat kept using his horns to break other goats legs. No matter what you need to choose horns or no horns and stick with that decision. That’s it good luck with your new goats. They are so much fun and they truly do make you laugh.

I don't want to be confrontational, but your post contains some false (and possibly dangerous) information.

Alfalfa is fine for goats. It may not be the best choice for low activity wethers as they don't need the extra calories, but it is safe.

What you refer to as kidney stones is called urinary calculi. It is caused by an imbalance of calcium to phosphorus. It should be at least 2:1 but it's okay if calcium is a bit higher. The "stones", which are crystals, are made of a concentration of phosphorus salts. Alfalfa is high in calcium. Hay is typically low in calcium. Grains are high in phosphorus. If someone gives their goats hay as their main diet and a lot of grain, the goats diet will end up with a higher ratio of phosphorus over calcium. Too much phosphorus can actually cause other issues too, like goat polio, so it's important to keep the diet in ratio.

I'm assuming you are referring to copper bolus. Copper is TOXIC to goats in high levels. You should not give copper bolus unless you know they need it. The best way to know is to talk to a local vet and/or get a blood test. If I gave my herd copper bolus, I could kill them. They get enough from locally grow alfalfa and loose minerals.

Polled means they will never grow horns, it's dependent on genetics. Disbudded means they have the ability to grow horns, but something was done at a young age to stop the growth. Usually by a hot iron. Dehorned means they had horns, but they were removed (should only be done by a vet).

 

[cherrynberry]

Just wanted to update, going to visit some goats on thursday.

 

[HipMystic]

Just wanted to update, going to visit some goats on thursday.

How exciting!!!

 

[Wolfie2]

Just wanted to throw this out htere. Fiascofarms. Google it! Not your usual website, you can't post on it. But it has a wealth of information concerning goats! They tend toward the 0rganic side and sell some products through their site. But. as I said, Lots of good info.