OK, long story. we bought two Nigerian wethers in July. I am assuming that they were only a few weeks old, because they were just barely old enough to leave thier mothers, but the lady I bought them from really didnt get very clear with me as to exact ages. She banded them herself right there before we took them, and didnt do a very good job! One of them is completely smooth now that the sac fell of and all, but the other one still has one testicle growing under the skin next to his belly, and has started growing a beard. This is a mixed blessing, since I recently procured two Pygmy does and had been regretting my hasty banding of my pretty boys. We are not sure however if he is in working order? I know my does are not yet a year in age, but are very close to it, and we havent had the buck/wether seperate from the girls because of the not knowing if he works or not. I just wanted to know if theres a way to tell if the girls are bred without going tot he vet....and if they ARE bred, if it will cause any problems since they are only about 10-11 months old? Oh and how wamr should i keep them this winter? we are in northern MN and they are housed in a converted granary with a raised floor and solid walls. Should I create some sort of bed and insulate the walls with straw bales or is it suffucuent to spread a good 12 inch layer of straw every week or so for them? I know I sound terribley uneducated and probably should have read up on the subject a bit more before diving in, but I couldnt pass up buying them when I had the chance!!! I appreciate any and all help!
