pygmy goat info help

[cmjust0]

Quote:
Goats require copper to maintain health. Copper deficiency can lead to lameness, reproductive problems, heavier parasite burdens, immune system impairment...the list goes on and on and on. Perhaps you're thinking of sheep? Sheep are much more sensitive to copper than goats, as sheep tend to store huge quantities of copper in their livers and then release lethal doses of it into their own bloodstreams when they're under stress.

Get rid of that salt lick, find a bag of loose mineral that's labelled for goats, then set out a little at a time to keep it refreshed often.

Your goats will thank you.

 

[cmjust0]

Quote:
We had health issues with our goats all summer...just a bad year. I was in town not that long ago while we were in the middle of treating one for a bacterial gut infection and I happened to mention it to a woman I knew who had goats. I said "scours" and she was like "what's 'scours'??" I explained it, and she happily told me that they've never seen scours in their herd and that they don't do anything for their goats...no vaccinations, no worming, no hoof trimming, nothing. She went on to tell me that they 'babied' them by feeding cracked corn...even to their males.

If you know anything about goats, you know that feeding cracked corn to a male is a recipe for disaster.

Anyway, I just kinda went off thinking I must be a big screw up....like, we're vaccinating on schedule, checking FAMACHA and deworming as necessary, trimming hooves, feeding good hay, keeping highly bioavailable goat-labeled mineral out, providing fresh clean water every day, making use of high quality goat-labeled feed....we're doing what we're supposed to be doing, yet we're having problems and this woman's totally mismanaging everying and having all the luck in the world..

Yeah, well..

I talked to her a few weeks later and she said "You jinxed me!" I didn't know what she meant at first, but then she told me that she definitely knew what scours were now.... She said they'd lost two. A few weeks after that, I talked to her again and she'd lost two more....these two just 'up and died.' Like, they were fine in the morning and then dead by the afternoon for no apparent reason. Then just last week, she told me her favorite buck died.

And, despite the fact that I told her to CALL ME if she got into any more trouble with scours and that I'd try to help her, she said they were treating the goats themselves......with nutridrench, and gatorade.

Yeah...I know.

My hope at this point is that she sells out soon and never, ever owns another goat.

 

[KinderKorner]

I'm struggling to remain silent here.

So I'm going to try to put it in as nice as a way as I can manage.

I really hate it when people buy animals because they WANT them now. It's unfair to the animals.

Goats NEED to be in at least pairs. I have a goat that I bottle raised alone for 2 years. Never seen a goat. I did what your doing. 'Oh look it's so cute. I need it.'

Yeah well. My new little baby nearly died. And if it wasn't for the help at the last second of a expert goat breeder I would of lost my little goatie. She helped it, and directed us. She taught us a lot. But I ashamed I purchased a pet without knowing much about them.

Years later. I am now a serious breeder. I would not classify myself as a expert. But I do know a great deal about goats now.

Goatie the little bottle baby. Didn't believe she was a goat. she ran free with the dog, and lived in the house.

Now that we have many more goats, and it's been years. She still doesn't think she is a goat. She sleeps on the porch, gets out of any fence, can do tricks, goes for car rides. She seems awesome. But she is a handful. She hates any goat, and will head butt them constantly for no reason, she will not graze with the others, she will not let them eat within 15ft of her. She is pushy, and a brat. Of course I love her. But I have yet to find another person who does. She has to live with our bucks, or run free, because she is a danger to the other does, and the kids. It took over a year or trying to get her bred because she thought I was infact the buck, and she didn't want any smelly goat even near her.

Goats DO need cooper. Sheep are the ones who it is bad for.

If you get a male it HAS to be castrated. Otherwise that is just another entire mess of trouble.

Please serious reconsider getting TWO for a while. Read up, find a goat person close to you besides this friend who doesn't sound like they seriously know what they are doing. Do your homework.

Don't get a horned goat. They can be dangerous. Even if they are the sweetest creature on earth. Accidently do happen. I know several people who got cut long and deep by their favorite pet who simply turned it's head while standing next to them.

Don't put your goats in the chicken coop. Chicken food is highly toxic to goats. It will kill them, quickly, or overtime. The poop is bad for them, it's unclean. Build them a little shelter it's cheap easy and they will thank you for it.

Don't feed males sweetfed or corn. It causes urinary problems.

Offer good hay, water, minerals for goats, pygmies don't usually need grain at all, unless your milking, it's a buck, a kid, your showing. Even then. Give little ammounts. Until you know how much you need to sustain weight. baking soda is good too.

Give them the CDT and BOSE vaccine. Hooves get trimmed as needed.

Please Please Please. Put off getting them for a while. Just a little bit. Get everything ready. Read, read, read. It will be worth it in the end for you and your new goats.

they were treating the goats themselves......with nutridrench, and gatorade.

Gatorade actually works wonders with goats. We always keep some on hand. It won't cure a problem. But it's good for rehydrating.

Also. Finding a good goat person is essential. The vets around here know nothing about goats. And I live in prime livestock country. I never have, and probably never well take my goats to the vet. I have a expert goat friend, who nearly finished a degree in vet tech, but had a kid instead. And she knows far more then anyone around here with goats. She is very happy to help with any problem, dehorn, castrate. She is knowledgable. And has saved us many a goat.

Goodluck with your goats. Yes please get two to save both you and the goat trouble. If you have questions. Feel free to ask.​