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Post by tenbusybees on Aug 2, 2015 16:19:47 GMT
How's that for a title?!
We now have goats! Nubians, two does and a not-related buckling. I am completely smitten! 
One of the does, if not both, is quite possibly pregnant. We used to raise hair sheep and never once did I witness or assist in a birth. We would just wake up one morning and there would be new lambs, adding validity to that stork story. LOL! But everything I'm reading about goats talks about watching for kidding signs, staying with them through the birth, and when(?!) to pull the kid out. Are goats incapable of birthing or is this just antsy/proactive owners?
The lady that we got them from gave us a sack of feed labeled "for goats and sheep". What about copper? I'm under the impression that goats *need* copper (it's toxic for sheep). Do I need to supplement?
Also, sweet treat or cubes? Can the goats have or need them?
And lastly, with our sheep we wormed as needed but they weren't susceptible either. Goats as I understand it are very prone. Is their a schedule for deworming or just be more aware and do it as necessary.
TIA!  |
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Post by Bear Foot Farm on Aug 2, 2015 19:30:28 GMT
Most goats will kid without assistance, but it's always good to be there if you can to help if needed.
Get some goat specific minerals and they should supply the necessary copper. You can also get additional supplements if health problems develop.
Worming is the same as with sheep except goats need a higher dose of the same medicines. Worming should only be done as needed, and never on a "schedule".
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Post by manygoatsnmore on Aug 3, 2015 1:21:17 GMT
An exception to never on a schedule is immediately following kidding. I always, always wormed immediately after the doe kidded, as they are highly susceptible to worm overburden at that time. I also would recommend cocci prevention for all kids.
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Post by tenbusybees on Aug 3, 2015 2:48:48 GMT
Helpful info. Thanks. |
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Post by KittyNC on Aug 5, 2015 22:35:46 GMT
Congrats on being owned by goats! Worming is done orally on goats, even if the wormer is labelled injectible. You can give copper supplements by using Copasure which is labelled for cows although I think Jeffers sellsa goat size bolus now. Someone told me to put the copper in a peanut butter sandwich to give to reluctant goats and that has been a life saver! Remember the motto of owning goats is "it didn't happen if you don't post pictures"!
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Post by tenbusybees on Aug 7, 2015 23:30:18 GMT
I'll try to figure out picture posting. |
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Post by manygoatsnmore on Aug 8, 2015 1:51:04 GMT
I'll try to figure out picture posting. Good luck, I'm STILL trying to figure it out! |
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Post by Awnry Abe on Aug 13, 2015 3:50:22 GMT
Are goats incapable of birthing or is this just antsy/proactive owners?
Yes. And when you've read all of the horror stories, and lived it yourself over many kiddings, it is impossible to tell which culprit is at play. I've been absent for as many kiddings than I have been present. I wouldn't say that my presence has helped the odds much. My herd queen, though, has particularly long legs, and has long legged kids, and she seems to always need re-shuffling. There is a reason that they have 2..3..4 at a time. I haven't tried the peanut butter trick. That sounds much cleaner than my hood-wink. I made little oat-molasses balls laced with copper. But they were a sticky mess. We've had katahdins for a year now. Knock on wood, but they are like Sherman tanks. I haven't had to do diddly squat to them (except bottle feed a few bummers). Absolutely no parasite loss. And this is from a guy that got accustomed to hauling off dead boer goats. No amount of worming did me any good. I think we all have different parasite experiences because we carry different genetic lines and live in very locale-dependent areas with regard to parasite/de wormer resistance. I couldn't keep a boer goat alive but get cross-eyed looks from other boer farmers when I say they are fragile. I do the same when someone mentions their wormy sheep. I can see why people worm on schedule. Death is not pleasant. I think it is a short-sighted mistake, though. We would be better off with a period of animal loss and improved animal genetics as a result vs. a period of worm loss and improved worm genetics. That said, I still spot-worm (ie on-demand) certain goats that are basically pets, just like I do my dogs. |
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