Got a goat...?

[NYRIR]

I just got a small goat ( about the size of a large dog) She was being fed just hay from the previous owners pretty much from what they said. I talked with the lady at the local feed store and she suggested that since she is only a year old, and already been bred, to give her small amounts of sweet feed that is 18 % protein 2-3 times a day and let her have hay and grass, but limit the grass until she is used to it.
She does appear a little thin, but I am no expert here! I will post pics later so maybe I can get an idea of what breed and if you guys think her condition is ok. I will also post pics of her toenails and bottom of her hooves, as they look "off" to me.

My biggest question is, how much feed at a time and how often? She will not have a ton of forage but some, and I can give her as much else as she needs. I bought her a mineral block as well.

She is a very cute goat

Pics to come later!

Also, any information you feel is critical, please feel free to suggest as I am a first time goat owner!

 

[Stacykins]

Unless a goat is pregnant or lactating, a lot of people do feed their goats just hay with loose minerals available for them to lick up as needed. Too much grain can be problematic for a ruminant. Introduce any grain sloooowly, so you don't upset her digestive system.

I would suggest you have a vet run a fecal. If she has a high worm load, that would make her appear thin. Most dairy breeds look 'thin' anyway, to a point though. A fecal test would identify if she has worms, and if so, what types, so you can give the proper wormer rather than shooting from the hip.

Does she have another goat buddy, by the way? Solo goats are definitely stressed goats, since they are herd animals. Though a buddy doesn't need to be another goat, but a goat makes the best companion.

 

[NYRIR]

Thanks so much for the info! I will give it to her as a treat only then?
She does not have another goat friend but we are looking to keep 2, maybe one of her offspring when we have her bred.I do have LOTS of birds, a couple of dogs and 3 cats she is terrified of though.

I was worried about her having a buddy...

I will try to get one for her soon...right now she cries when we leave her alone but not if she is in her stall, only when outside.

 

[DamselinFlannel]

Hi! Congrats on your goat! They are so much fun. I have three goats.... They are Kinders, and I love them to death. You will definitely want to get another goat. Goats are not happy all alone.

My three goats (two does and a wether) go through about two flakes of hay a day. They do not forage as I have to keep them in a pen. I feed them some grain (an extra calcium grain) but not very much.

Do post photos! You will want to keep her hooves trimmed (I have a pair of extra sharp shears I use). Also, find a feed store that has loose minerals. Those are very important. I also feed my goats BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds), which has helped tremendously with their coats.

 

[NYRIR]

Ok, got a couple of pics...she stands 2 foot at the shoulder. What could she be? I know she is part Pygmy....




Here is a pic of her hooves....they need to be trimmed don't they?




I also went on CL and got her a friend...couldn't stand to have her lonely. I will post more pics later.

 

[Stacykins]

Wow, it looks like she never had a hoof trimming in her life! Might take a few times to get those nice and neat, but she will be thankful when she can walk on normal feet!

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

She looks like a kinder goat (Pygmy X Nubian). She is very cute.

 

[mama24]

She's cute! A little on the thin side, but that just might be how she is, not thin enough to worry over. Actually, she's probably a healthy weight and I am used to my chubby girl. lol. And boy those are some terrible looking hooves! I'd get to work on those asap! There are videos on youtube that are helpful for learning how to trim goat hooves.

I agree, go slow on the grain until she's used to it, maybe a handful twice a day and work your way up. I'm not sure how much you should work up to, though. My goats were pregnant and lactating the whole time I've had them, and I give them a quart each twice a day, plus they are both a lot bigger than your girl.

 

[NYRIR]

Thanks guys,I think she's cute as well! Yes, i thought the hooves didn't look right. I actually purchased her a friend today so I don't have to feel guilty about her being lonely, and the woman there showed me how to trim the nails

I do have more questions though, lol, as usual!

When i introduced the two, (the new girl is really young like 2 months old.) The older one tried to butt her. Is that typical ? And how long for them to become acquainted? They are separate now, but I want to make them buddies.They are in stalls next to each other but can't reach each other. The younger was just weaned about a week or two ago she said, she does cry a lot but I expected that since she was with a whole herd of other goats at her birthplace! She calms down when people are around but gets frightened when you leave.

I will post pics tomorrow of Cinnamon ...she is SUPER cute!!

 

[NYRIR]

She's cute! A little on the thin side, but that just might be how she is, not thin enough to worry over. Actually, she's probably a healthy weight and I am used to my chubby girl. lol. And boy those are some terrible looking hooves! I'd get to work on those asap! There are videos on youtube that are helpful for learning how to trim goat hooves.

I agree, go slow on the grain until she's used to it, maybe a handful twice a day and work your way up. I'm not sure how much you should work up to, though. My goats were pregnant and lactating the whole time I've had them, and I give them a quart each twice a day, plus they are both a lot bigger than your girl.

Thanks for that...I have no idea what "thin" looks like on a goat but I thought so too. We'll see how she ends up on my diet for her...yes, the hooves are awful looking.....will trim those in the am.Thanks for the idea of youtube, I forget about that sometimes!
Also, does anyone know how to tell age on a goat?