Wing It Ranch

[WingItRanch]

Well I stopped hearing from the lady who said she was going to sell me those 2 boys.

Then yesterday, a friend of a friend reached out. They're moving and needed to rehome all their animals. I was very hesistant because she said there was a chance the does could be pregnant. I figured that was too advanced for a new goat owner but she said I could call her for advice if it happens.

These little ladies came with names. They've been mothers before.

Meet Daisy. She's very friendly. Let's me pet her but is very food motivated.

And Magnolia (Maggie). She's shy and loud.

They walk really well on a dog leash when I moved them from the outdoor pen to the little barn!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Well I stopped hearing from the lady who said she was going to sell me those 2 boys.

Then yesterday, a friend of a friend reached out. They're moving and needed to rehome all their animals. I was very hesistant because she said there was a chance the does could be pregnant. I figured that was too advanced for a new goat owner but she said I could call her for advice if it happens.

These little ladies came with names. They've been mothers before.

Meet Daisy. She's very friendly. Let's me pet her but is very food motivated.
View attachment 4251866

And Magnolia (Maggie). She's shy and loud.
View attachment 4251867

They walk really well on a dog leash when I moved them from the outdoor pen to the little barn!
View attachment 4251868

How awesome! What lovely ladies!

 

[WingItRanch]

Let's just hope goat math isn't as bad as chicken math.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Let's just hope goat math isn't as bad as chicken math.

Well if they're pregnant, it'll be out of your hands, but OMG baby goats are the cutest thing on the planet

 

[WingItRanch]

Well if their pregnant, it'll be out of your hands, but OMG baby goats are the cutest thing on the planet

They really are! Plus, the whole reason I wanted goats is for land cleaning and milk (to make cheese too). Well, if they end up being pregnant, I'll have both. I just didn't seek out breeding just yet because like I said... that's varsity.

 

[thistlewick]

Did she coach you about deworming? Asking before I infodump hahah

 

[WingItRanch]

Did she coach you about deworming? Asking before I infodump hahah

She did not but I have done some research. I know not to deworm on a schedule but wait until fecal float test and to check the eyelid. She did tell me she dewormed them in August with Safeguard. It was one of the many questions I bombarded her with. Haha

 

[Auntiejessi3]

They really are! Plus, the whole reason I wanted goats is for land cleaning and milk (to make cheese too). Well, if they end up being pregnant, I'll have both. I just didn't seek out breeding just yet because like I said... that's varsity.

Goats milk is delicious! You could make soap too! I'm so excited for you

 

[thistlewick]

okay the best part is, you can do one of two things, IF you keep your stock density SUPER low -- those look like mini goats, so google to see what would be a super super low stock density space for them.

Then, you can

(1) leave them be - they will have a worm load on them and poop it out -- but, since you're on virgin ground that hasn't been stocked in decades AND your stock density is low, they won't re-infest themselves too badly.

I think your best option would be though to:

(2) Do not put them on the land you want to house them on just yet - stick them somewhere they will never be, de worm them now (you can absolutely safely do this, August was awhile ago and most livestock (densely stocked) is done every 3 months, sometimes sooner) and leave them on that plot of land they will NOT live on for 3-4 days after worming. They will poop out the worms and larvae and eggs.

So that land will be infected for a season - at least. So just never bring them back there.

And you put clean, fresh goats on clean fresh land. You won't have to worry about deworming much at all. Just keep an eye on those eyelids (it's the same for sheep) and lips. Pink good - white bad.

All those googles are going to assume that you're stocking high density. ALL the advice out there assumes it, because most people do, because farming is for profit. People like us are r a r e.

anyway it will save you a ton of work in the long run, and a little bit of work on the front end.

 

[WingItRanch]

okay the best part is, you can do one of two things, IF you keep your stock density SUPER low -- those look like mini goats, so google to see what would be a super super low stock density space for them.

Then, you can

(1) leave them be - they will have a worm load on them and poop it out -- but, since you're on virgin ground that hasn't been stocked in decades AND your stock density is low, they won't re-infest themselves too badly.

I think your best option would be though to:

(2) Do not put them on the land you want to house them on just yet - stick them somewhere they will never be, de worm them now (you can absolutely safely do this, August was awhile ago and most livestock (densely stocked) is done every 3 months, sometimes sooner) and leave them on that plot of land they will NOT live on for 3-4 days after worming. They will poop out the worms and larvae and eggs.

So that land will be infected for a season - at least. So just never bring them back there.

And you put clean, fresh goats on clean fresh land. You won't have to worry about deworming much at all. Just keep an eye on those eyelids (it's the same for sheep) and lips. Pink good - white bad.

All those googles are going to assume that you're stocking high density. ALL the advice out there assumes it, because most people do, because farming is for profit. People like us are r a r e.

anyway it will save you a ton of work in the long run, and a little bit of work on the front end.

That actually works in my scenario because they are in temporary housing while we fix the fencing on the main pen (which will be quite large for only a couple goats).

What if they're pregnant, though? Is it safe to deform them?... I don't want to harm the possible babies.