Goats 101

[kristeninprogress]

In a month, my family and I are moving to five acres and we're planning on venturing into goats. I have a breeder, and I'm planning on two Nubian doelings and an Alpine wether. I plan on using the doelings for dairy, eventually.

I had goats as a child, but I wasn't closely involved in anything other than cuddling the babies and filling the water trough. I'm finding a lot of conflicting information online, so I just wanted some insight from people that raise goats.

The babies will be bottle fed, and I think I understand how to handle that, but I'm unsure of what comes after that 8 week period. Some say grain, some say no grain. Some say hay, some say alfalfa. What do you feed your goats on a daily basis? What supplements do you provide?

I'm also unsure of vaccines and deworming. I've seen some say don't worm on a schedule but do fecal tests, which I seem to be more interested in, but are there cons to this method? Which dewormers do you use? Also, which vaccines do I need a vet for, and which ones can I do myself? Are all absolutely necessary, or is there some controversial opinions on vaccines? What would the typical schedule be?

TIA!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You will get conflicting information because everyone does things differently based on location and purpose of the goats. You will have to figure out what works best for you and your management.

We worm at least once a year, either spring, or late fall. Most years we do both. Goats either seem to be resistant to worms or extremely susceptible. Pasture management can weight into worm infestations, as well as dry lot management.

I think grains and alfalfa are for production goats. We give some ration during winter, but none the rest of the years because my goats are pets.

I sometimes fed kids a handful of ration as they mature, but most times I didn't. I have always read you want to develop a good rumen, and grain doesn't help that.

I personally don't vaccinate. It's recommended to give a tetanus, and an enterotoxemia vaccines.

I provide free access to a loose goat mineral, and baking soda. Mine get pasture, and a good grass mix hay. They also get tree trimming.

We use ivomec for cattle orally, and safeguard for wormers.