In Need of Information about Goats

[GloriaH]

Get wethers then you don't have to worry about milking, babies, or stinky males. I think they are more friendly too.

 

[hsm5grls]

Thank you helmstead and arklady I am trying to start up my homestead and these will be milking goats so when an opportunity arises to get info. I tend to jump in. I want very healthy goats for many reasons but mainly they will be supplying milk for my children so I am trying to be very careful about what they will have in there systems.

 

[sunnychooks]

Regarding your wormer question, I use an herbal wormer from Hoegger Goat Supply. I give it weekly and it's also good for sheep and chickens. I milk twice a day. There's no withdrawl time and it does not effect the flavor of the milk.

 

[hsm5grls]

I use an herbal wormer from Hoegger Goat Supply

What is it called? We do not have a hoegger goat supply around here? Is it a mail order catalog?​

 

[Pinenot]

I know that if you rotate your goats around in your fields, you won't have to worry about worms as much as if you didn't. They eat the eggs and the process starts through the body and out. Then they eat the eggs...If you are going to give the milk to your children, I would recommend not worming them during that time. I don't know what to tell you to do if they have the worms that won't end up in the milk.

Goat are like people...no milk unless you have a baby. Take the baby away, you must milk her fewer times every day until she dries up. If you keep the baby with her, mom will wean on her own. If you want milk after baby is old enough to wean, you must milk her.

I have 3 Pygmys and pygmys give milk too. However...I have one that when she comes into heat...everyone around knows it. She screams for about 3 days. She is in no pain! She just wants a male!

You do want to give the a tetnus shot and a over eating desiese vaccination. They will over eat themselves to death!

Grass hay is the best to feed with pellet goat food.

Hope I helped some

 

[hsm5grls]

It does help all info. helps. I guess the feeding part has confused me most. I didn't realize until I started researching them how sensitive they are as far as feed goes. I had one guy at the feed store tell me pellet goat food was all they needed. Good thing I knew better. Does anyone grow there own grass hay for there goats and if so what kind. I know I will still have to buy hay but I am just weighing my options.

 

[Pinenot]

I have a friend that grows the grass hay, so I buy it from him. I don't know what is in it...but you don't want a bunch of alfalfa(SP?) It can bloat them. They love, love, love weeds! They won't eat the fresh green grass in the field. They want it dry:| So keep that in mind if you think they will mow the lawn for you
I give my goat 1 cup of pellets a day per goat. They get all the hey they want. I also give them veggies out of the garden or when we have some veggie in the refridge that we let get soft, not moldy.

 

[sunnychooks]

Hoegger Goat Supply is a catalog, but you can also order online at www.hoeggergoatsupply.com. They have dairying equipment, cheese making supplies, health-related items and gift items.

The wormer is simply called "Herbal Wormer".

Pinenot is right about rotational grazing, but you must have enough good paddocks to keep your goats out of each one long enough for the parasites to die.

 

[hsm5grls]

Great great info. See I thought alfalfa was the best hay for them. What about timothy hay. Is that better?

 

[Pinenot]

Yes, you do need to give the parasites enough time to die...I forgot to add. Thanks!

I had forgotten the herbal wormer from hogger. I need to check that out again.

I don't know anything about Timothy Hay...sorry.