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Barnyard Buddies:  Goat novice questions  |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
 Posted - Oct 04 2007 : 6:14:20 PM
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okay, so here is the run down.
We are getting a pregnant Alpine, a pregnant Lamancha, a Nubian doe and a Nubian wether.
We are getting our materials for building their pen for FREE! We ahve a great recycling program in our tricounty area and we are building their pen out of old mattresses and pallets and a tin roof. All free!
What I need to know is this: aside from a mineral lick, feed, hay and apple cider vinegar, what do you recommend we newbies get and how much do you figure they run? We are planning to spend money, so it really isn't an issue, but we want to know we ahve our bases covered. These goats are coming from small goat dairies, so I know they ahve been worked and given whatever shots are necessary, but beyodn that I am relying on books, the net, you ladies and what I can remember from the goats we had when I was a teenager....
Thanks!!
*SO EXCITED!*
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
Birth is safe, interference is risky; TRUST BIRTH |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Oct 04 2007 : 6:43:53 PM
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Are they going to be completely covered by wood? The goats might chew them to pieces otherwise. It sounds like you have some awesome plans, though and how exciting to get your own goat herd!!
Alee
The amazing one handed typist! One hand for typing, one hand to hold Nora!
http://home.test-afl.tulix.com/aleeandnora/ |
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Oct 04 2007 : 8:05:52 PM
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| I would get an old spool or big rock or something for them to play king of the mountain on. Especially when you have kids running around, although my adults still play a lot. Also offer baking soda free choice, it helps with digestion. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 04 2007 : 9:50:53 PM
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Be sure to get or make ( I would make one) a feeder. Goats can waste alot more hay than they eat and if it is on the ground they won't eat it!! They are picky eaters despite the way they are depicted in cartoons. I would get some good hoof trimmers..worth it!!...and make sure that if they havn't had their shots (CD&T) you should give them vacinations (easy..just subQ..any goat book would explain how..I LOVE raising milk goats the modern way..there are plans for a keyhole feeder in that one too) and syringes and needles. (same size you would use for a dog's shots) You can get this at any feed store. Paste wormer..I used Safeguard when I had goats, and still use it for my sheep. I kept collars on my milk goats..just big dog nylon dog collars worked well. A milk stand if you are going to milk (I assume you will)..if your husband is handy they are fairly simple to build..you can find plans online easily. There will be a list of milking supplies too. Have some baby bottles on hand just in case you have to bottle feed some kids..you never know if a Doe will reject her own baby..it happens. For when they kid you will need iodine for the navels, and a bunch of old towels too. I use straw for bedding, you can use shavings too, but it costs more.
You will love having goats..they are so fun. I just have one angora goat now..but loved them!!! Having a cow, I couldn't justify milking goats too (and feeding them all winter!!) so I sold my milk goats. I will no doubt have some again someday when the kids are grown. Have fun!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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cadybeths
Farmgirl in Training
13 Posts
Lea Ann
Marietta
OK
USA
13 Posts |
Posted - Oct 04 2007 : 9:56:28 PM
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Since you will be having kids soon I would make sure you have iodine for their umbilical cords. I also give my new kids 2 "pumps" of Nutra Drench right after birth. I have have really good luck just doing these two things. I also give my pregnant does a handful of marshmallows a couple of times a week. I don't remember why an old farmer told me to do this but I do it anyway! I think it has something to do with ketones in late pregnancy. And besides....they love them!
Another thought is to feed them the same feed they are currently eating and then gradually switch them to whatever you want to feed (if you are making changes) We do the vinegar in the water and free choice baking soda. We worm once a year but after this summers heavy rains we have had to worm them twice.
I love my goats and have had really good luck with what I'm doing. A good website with tons of information is www.fiascofarm.com. Good luck!
Lea Ann
my blog http://stonehillfarms.blogspot.com/
my etsy http://stonehillfarms.etsy.com
Live well...laugh often...love much!
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GaiasRose
True Blue Farmgirl
2552 Posts
Tasha-Rose
St. Paul
Minnesota
2552 Posts |
Posted - Oct 05 2007 : 09:38:32 AM
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yeah, I have been on fiascofarm and love it! I always have iodine here because I hope birth, am a doula and studying to become a midwife, Rob already drew up his own plans for a hay feeder and a milking table based on a few he saw online. He's pretty handy when it comes to stuff like that. We have a pretty neat bantam chicken run of his own design that is pretty neat! Anyway, we decided where to put them and will be picking up the materials this weekend for the building from the local transfer station that recycles that kind of stuff.
We are so excited. Thanks for all the advice....keep it coming! I am feverishly writing all of it down! I love it! My farm journal is getting fatter with each new thing we add to our adventure and each new article or bit of helpful info I collect online or from one of you! thanks!
~*~Brightest Blessings~*~
Tasha-Rose
Blogs: http://gaiarose.wordpress.com
http://womonandsprout.wordpress.com
Homepage:
http://ForestFaeries.etsy.com
Birth is safe, interference is risky; TRUST BIRTH |
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MsCwick
True Blue Farmgirl
775 Posts
Cristine
Farmville
Virginia
USA
775 Posts |
Posted - Oct 05 2007 : 09:42:09 AM
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A lot of people around here use to Safeguard goat block. Does anyone use these instead of paste wormer? I like the Nutri Drench Idea!
My neighbor's goats loved to climb! On our cars and such. Once they were contained, the young billy would climb on the round propane tank. Maybe they would climb on some barrels? |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Oct 05 2007 : 9:51:00 PM
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Oh ..one hint....the smaller the goat the higher they can jump and climb. Small goats need taller fences. Weird but true. I know this one from experience.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Barnyard Buddies: Goat novice questions |
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Goat novice questions
