New to nubians!

ozark_jewels · #21 06/19/14, 11:46 AM

I bought a doeling years ago who kidded out at 7 months of age. No mistake, I checked her age again and again. She was bred at 2 months of age. It is rare but it *can* happen. So be careful.
On the buddy thing: Even a nice buck is not the same as another doeling of her own age. Unless she grew up with him and sees him as a "friend". Another doeling of similar age would likely be the best.
Any goat can be expected to be more vocal after a change, especially young ones taken from everything they know. And yes, it can take months for them to get into the routine of a new place. And while my Nubians do not talk more than my Lamanchas and LESS than my Boers used to, they have a different pitch to their voices than any other breed. It can be quite distracting. My goats do not talk unless I'm very late for milking or during kidding season, unless I am moving them into a new situation. Then I get to hear about it for a while.
Other things which can lead to noisy goats are boredom and smaller herds who do not roam far. My penned goats are much louder over-all than my herd of milkers/does. They have about 50 acres to roam and that keeps them too occupied to be talking to me.

GoldenWood Farm · #22 06/19/14, 11:59 AM

I agree with everyone else, get the buck out of there and do a pregnancy test. Also he is being very sweet and quiet right now but when they go into rut that is a different story with the does. Not that they turn nasty or mean but hormones kick in and they want to BREED!

As far as her being noisy I defer to Nubian breeders. I do think you should get her a doe as a buddy though, I also recommend getting a wether as a companion for your buck otherwise you will have two screaming goats on your hands.

Justine

southerngurl · #23 06/19/14, 02:30 PM

I'm with Susie, my Nubians are quiet. I had a yeller once and she quit after a month or more. Drove me nuts in the meantime. Maybe it does have to do with me not giving treats, never thought about that. I also always make sure they never run out of hay or browse to eat.
I agree, get her a friend and give her time to adjust.

I've had very young does, like 6 weeks, come into heat.

CarolT · #24 06/19/14, 03:54 PM

Roxie was born here. She was the one I was afraid was a free martin. I still separated the buck when she reached 4 months. When she gave me a beautiful doeling when she was 8 months and 1 week old, I realized it wasn't soon enough. Do the pregnancy test 30 days after separation to make sure it's been long enough to be reliable. By the way, goat condoms don't work. He was wearing one while in the main pasture

marusempai · #25 06/19/14, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarolT

By the way, goat condoms don't work. He was wearing one while in the main pasture

Wait, they make goat condoms? Or are you being facetious I can't tell? Mind blown. XD

CarolT · #26 06/19/14, 10:41 PM

Google it. lol. I use a harness instead of a single strap. Then you put a flap that is supposed to get in between the buck and the girls. Apparently didn't.