New Goat Owner Needs Help!!!

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

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i hope you don't think i was trying to blast you. That wasn't my intention. You are getting responses here from people who actually own goats, and like you said, it is easier to learn from people than books. i guess people who own goats are very passionate about their animals, their care, and their happiness. Every new animal is like trying to get a college degree - there is so much to learn. And goats (from my experience) aren't like any other animal i've ever owned.

It's just very important to know what you're getting into. Please take everyones comments in the spirit in which they were given, from compassionate goat lovers to a potential goat lover.

You'll be fine. You are curious, you're asking questions, you've done some reading, you have a lot of resources. Goats are truly wonderful little critters. i can't imagine my life without them. Of all my critters, they are the ones that make me laugh out loud on a daily basis.

 

[SportTees]

I do not think you were blasting me Enchanted- your info was helpful.

I got home with the goat I thought they were giving me a nanny but I think I ended up with a billy. It has horns and is trying to but the dog. I put it in an empty Large chicken pen for tonight. Tomarrow I'm planning to put it in the yard- can or will they jump a 4 ft fence. I just need to know if I will need to put up a taller fence in the area it will be. Anyone know an easy way to get it to bond with you? It will let me within arms reach but if I reach my arm out it butts.

It adorable though.......

 

[RedStickLA]

If you are thinking it is a buck because it has horns...Bucks and Does both have horns if they are not disbudded unless they are polled. (Polled means no horns) And both bucks and does head butt she/he is trying to play with your dog. Yes it is possible if he/she really wanted to that it could jump out of a 4 ft fence especially if it is not happy and is lonely…but with a kid it is more likely to squeeze through a small opening. An easy way to bond is...TREATS! Mine LOVE animal crackers.

I know everyone is telling you this but…You really need to have at least 2 goats because they are herd animals and are not happy alone.

Congratulations on you new kid...It's a cutie!

Mitzi

 

[mypicklebird]

umm- because this is what you wrote :I'm going to pick up my goat today and am clueless. I think I'm getting a Pygmy. What do you feed them? Do they need any special care?

I meet people every day that are clueless about an animal they just purchased, it is very frustrating. People buy things on impulse sometimes. Sometimes it is easier to let others do the work/research. Sometimes an animal is rescued, and there truly is no time to find out what they need prior- you see an animal in need, and take the plunge. But for most of the people that end up with animals they do not know basic husbandry for- it is not a rescue emergency. Reading about chickens and other critters doesn't count, only reading about goats.

Yes, learning in real life can be much more useful than what you can read (just like parenting!!!), but doing the BASIC research on diet & housing BEFORE you arrange to get the animal is a very good idea. If you know about hooves, shots, water, food- already, you are not clueless. A combination of reading what you can, then asking goat owners what they think works best (and not)--- is the way to go. Your last post (with the cute photo) amused me, then concerned me--do you really not know what gender you bought? Check underneath and under the tail. The males have a prepuce (and testicles if the buck is older).


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[okiegirl]

I gave a lady some stuff I had on freecycle. When she picked the stuff up, I told her I was looking into geting some goats. She was telling me she got ONE at a flea market and I shouldn't get one because they stink. She got a 4 year old buck, and has him tied to a tree. I was shocked that she would get a goat, have no idea how to care for him and now he doesn't have a pen, he's tied to a tree. Oh, she moves him around... like that's better.

I'm so sad for him

 

[lasergrl]

If you have gotten a buck, get is castrated asap. A buck is not really a good pet. Sometimes they can be aggressive though unlike rams they usually arent. Butting at you already, it has no respect and is dangerous once older if it isnt the playfull butting. If it is a buck goat, it will start to pee on his face and develope a terrible odor that is difficult to get out of clothes. They can be castrated and the smell will go away

 

[tagra123]

I'm sure some posters mean well, but you don't need lectured.

Here's the simple answer to your question:

Healthy goats need good food -- fresh grass, hay and water. They love leaves and anything within their reach. I throw brush in with them to strip down. We do not give the feed as free choice.

1. Get some Hay -- a bale should last one small goats at quite a while if it has access to pasture.

2. Goat Pellets - make for decent feed - we feed about 1/2 big coffee can of pellets per goat per day. We mix a little little cracked corn for taste with the pellets in the morning for a treat.

3. Goats like other animals should have clean water and clean food.

4. CDT vaccine once a year. Read the directions for wormers


We take our goats for walks with us about every other day - fun for them and fun for us.

I've read a lot of opinion about what to feed, when to feed, to have a vet or not etc..


Some people use vets but you can get the wormer and do vaccines yourself at may co-ops and feed stores. If you think you need a vet get one, but most people can take care of the basics themselves. Take good care of them and more than likely you will never need a vet.

In the last 100 years it seem that many of us have bought the argument that a doctor, vet , or other pro knows better than whats good for us than we do. A long time ago someone told me that no one cares about your money more than you do, not your accountant and not your banker -- I apply this same principal to my animals and myself. There are times when and animal may need a vet, but most of the time you can do it yourself.

Many people forget that a goat, just like a deer could survive without our help.

Pick up a Storeys book about Goats --provides useful information to help you.

Here's a link to help get you started:
http://fiascofarm.com/goats/feeding.htm#whattofeed

Enjoy your goat and ignore the negative people -- Many people seem ready to criticize as if they were getting paid to do it.

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

As someone already said above, if it is a buck, it needs to be castrated ASAP. A "butting buck" may be cute at this age, but once he gets older you'll know he means business. Also, if he is not castrated he will urinate on his hind legs and stink to high heaven.

 

[cluckychick]

"It" looks like a cute little Pygmy. I started out with 2 a year ago after reading alot of info but not really "knowing" alot about ownership and caring so I know where ur coming from. It does need another goatie companion. It will cry alot and could possibly become depressed, which is not a good thing.

I've not seen my pygmies jump a 4' fence but then again they have companions and are happy in their location.

I feed 1 flake of hay per 2 goats daily, browse, leaves, and 1/4 c. of grain 2x a day. Free choice minerals and baking soda.

This is Windy, one of my 3 pygmies, she looks similiar to yours

Good Luck!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

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Remember, she has a pygmy. 1/2 of a big coffe can of grain per day is WAY too much for a pygmy.

Just wanted to mention that in case nobody else caught it.



Oh, and to the OP, why didn't you ask the goat breeder for all the information? And it's weird the breeder didn't castrate him for you.

Especially since it sounds like he's just going to be a pet.