Lets talk about goats!

[LeenaB]

You're going to need to trim hooves more than once a year, as well as worm more than once a year.

I deworm 3-4 times a year with seasonal changes- dependent upon climate.

Hooves get trimmed every 4-6 weeks. A set of clippers/sheers will cost at most $15.

Minerals- daily

Baking soda- daily free choice

Monthly feed will vary based on what you're feeding. Organic is more expensive. Also it depends upon how much foraging goats can do where you live. If you have acres of pasture your feed bill will be considerably lower, if you don't it'll be higher. Also hay prices vary greatly from region to region as well as seasonally.

TotallyNaturalGoats on facebook is a place to check out if you're going the natural route with goats.

I have nigerian dwarf goats- so no experience with fainting goats.

 

[goats rule 101]

Okay thank you both a bunch for the helpful information!

 

[chickengirl1193]

I've only had goats a few months but for the two of them i go through a 50lb bag of feed every 2 months and I go through a 55lb bale of hay every week to two weeks depending on how much they waste. they get free choice loose minerals and baking soda and fresh water daily. I've been trimming my goats hooves as needed and I've also only wormed them as needed (you can get a fecal done at your vets to see if they have worms) I've also been told( by my vet) they need a vaccine called CD&T which is for overeating disease and tetanus ( you can get it at tractor supply and give it yourself butyou'll have to double check how often) my best advice for you through is to get a few good goat books and learn about basic care and then make your own decisions on how to care for your goats because everyone does things differently andwhat works for one person may not work for another. a.good book i have is storeys guide to raising dairy goats. its very thorough. good luck with your goats! you'll learn a lot and enjoy them tremendously!
oh and also do a quick search for plants that are poisonous to make sure they arent in your pasture

 

[chicken pickin]

I haven't read through the thread yet but thought I would post and then go back and read. I have 2 Nigerian Dwarf Does they are 10months old, I got them when they were 8 and 10 weeks old. They are super cute and sweet, names are Luna and Gem. I wll post some pics of them a little later.

 

[Zonoma]

I got goats and now I'm a nervous wreck. Though I've been researching them for over a year before taking the plunge, I still feel like I know nothing! When temps here took a dive (-20s windchill), I brought them in the unfinished basement but now am considering moving them back outside. They are 6 month old pygmy doelings and the lows this week will be in the 20s. Is that warm enough? They have nice, thick healthy coats.


Their names are Badger (on the left) and Honey (on the right). Aren't they cute?

 

[LeenaB]

Yes, with thick goats they should be fine in their goat house. Mine are actually running around outside today. I have nigerian dwarf does (7 months old). I did add 1/2c of BOSS to their diet. They have high quality hay and some alfalfa cubes on super cold days (when it dropped below zero with the wind chill. Just make sure their water if fresh and not frozen. Mine girls have a heated dog bowl.

 

[Stacykins]

Your girls will be fine. In fact, keeping them in the house for prolonged periods will be detrimental to their cold tolerance. Goats have incredibly thick and insulating fur at this time of year. But if they get used to a cozy house, when they go back outside, they will be chilled. I'm surprised they didn't get hot being brought into your house. My friend brought her goats into her house for a short visit recently, and both started overheating, so had to go back outside promptly.

Make sure they have clean, dry bedding, their shelter is draft free, that they have hay available all the time, and thawed water. And they will be just fine! During this blistering cold, my Nigerian Dwarves were still bopping around outside on their spools and wooden crates! 20 degrees is positively tropical, so your girls will be OK.

 

[Zonoma]

Thank you very much! I was worried about keeping them in too long because they are so thick furred but the wind chill with in the negative 20s and all my mentors said to bring them in. They did stay in the basement in an uninsulated house, though. We were wearing double layers of clothing down there to hang out with them so it was still chill. They seem to be loving it outside today, though! I planted thornless blackberries all around their run in preparation for their arrival last year and they found them today. Happy babies.

 

[CibolaChooks]

I have a question. My goats get goat blocks for their minerals. My great pyrenees (5 months old) wont leave them alone. Its like crack to them. Should i worry about them eating it. I havent left them alone with it to see if they would eat it all or stop when they have had enough. Right now i just have to take the blocks away and return them to the goats when i let the dogs run and play in the outer fenced area that surrounds the goat pen.

 

[chicken pickin]

Here are my 2 Nigerian Dwarf goats Luna and Gem they are 10months old