I Did What I SWORE I Would Not - Pics

[SherrieT]

I've been lurking here for a long time, trying to learn as much as possible before taking the plunge and getting a few dairy goats.

I wanted to wait and get a bred Nubian and that was how I was going to do it.
Right..................

We took a bunch of our chickens to the auction today and, as usual I checked out the small animal auction next door. Then BLAM ! I was struck by lightening. I fell in love. But I knew the babes were very expensive last week so I figured I didn't have to worry, that she would be more than I would spend on an auction animal. Fate stepped in and the bids stopped at $18. Before I knew what happened suddenly my hand was up and the price was $19 and stayed there.

I knew I didn't want her to be an only child, so I selected another doe quickly and then everyone started selecting the ones they wanted. There were still a few ones left and suddenly I also had a very small LaMancha, for $5. I told Richard that "I think I just paid $5 to have my heart broken". She is so little.



Here they are in our kitchen.

I thought I had soaked so much info from this group and suddenly I don't know what to do or how to do it !!!! We stopped and bought some baby bottles and whole milk. The little LaMancha drank a whole 5 oz, once she figured we weren't trying to kill her.

I don't even know what type the two biggest are ! The first I fell in love with, her name is Belle. I just kept tellling Richard "she's so beautiful" so Belle she became.

Thanks for letting me blather on.................I'm soooo excited




Sherrie

[CountryHaven]

They are adorable. Alpine or Toggenberg? Pretty no matter what. And you never know, that little 5 pounder may just surprise you.

[Janis Sauncy]

They look Toggenburg. Oh, I miss my baby goats. I still have twenty adults (a variety of pygmy, various dairy and pygmy/dairy crosses) that are basically living out their lives as pets/brush eaters.

The LaMancha is kind of hiding behind the other two but she looks like she has the same markings as the other two. Could she be Toggenburg/LaMancha cross?

I used to raise lots of babies, bottle-raising most of them.

Would this auction happen to be in Lewis County?

Janis

[SherrieT]

Yes, it was Lewis Co. How did you know???

[chickenista]

Oh, you are so lucky. They are beauties. One day..... I'll be as happy as you ..in goat love.

[DQ]

I understand your excitement, your not blathering on! they're beautiful, thanks for sharing.

[celadon]

They are so cute. And they are so much fun.

[SherrieT]

I was going to do it the "right" way. Make sure I knew what type of milking stock my goats came from. Make sure that I wasn't going to by someones, possible, rejects at an auction. And then she "looked" at me What else could I do???

These are just for our own personal use. I would like to be able to have milk for drinking, cheese and possibly soap.

Sherrie

[KayJay]

Congratulations, they're adorable! It's hard to tell for sure who's what, but I'm seeing a mixture of Togg, Alpine, La Mancha, and maybe Nubian (cause of the ears on the front one) between them. Don't worry about not doing it the "right" way, remember how one's man's trash is another man's treasure, IMO it applies to goats too. I've got a couple from an auction and they've turned out great.

[Janis Sauncy]

SherrieT:

I know because I'm........psychic? Or not.

Actually, I moved to Lewis County a year and a half ago and when I first got up here I had some extra roosters. I took them to the sale. When you said you went next door to the small animal auction and I saw you're in S.W. Washington, it rang a bell.

That one time is actually the only time I've been to that particular sale. I used to go to one where I used to live. It was on Thursdays. I had to stop going because I, too, am a sucker and ended up with all sorts of things I didn't need. Goats (lots, including some of my best and some not so good), a llama, a potbellied pig, rabbits, peacocks, you name it.....even ferrets.

Anyway, if you'd like, pm me with more detail as to where you are. Maybe we can touch base sometime. Being new to the area (I guess, even after a year and a half), I'm always looking for people who are into the critters and all this other stuff we talk about here.

Janis

[Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians]

Well get them off to a good start anyway. Get them on a sulfa for cocci, worm them tommorrow. Find someone to disbud them for you and start your vaccination series. If the dam was a Togg/Nubian cross, and the buck LaMancha...which alot of dairies use LaMancha bucks...they could be three triplet sisters. The only thing that will break your heart is when you test them at a year old and find them to have CAE from nursing positive mom....enjoy and at least you know you are not the only one to start this way...I started exactly this way also. Vicki

[Feral Nature]

They are very attractive babies

if you can find them, the red and yellow "Prichard Nipples" are good to use on babies. They swallow less air and are able to latch on well. Whole store bought cow milk is a good choice to feed them. This young, they need to eat small meals frequently but can sleep through the night as long as they are strong, warm, healthy and otherwise normal. You don't have to get up all night long to feed them. Make sure they are pooping and peeing. Peeing alot means they are well hydrated.

If you look closely, you can see a red and yellow Prichard in the green pan:


http://www.pacificpygmygoatclub.com/

[southerngurl]

Hey Vicki, may I ask, why is it that many dairies use lamancha bucks?

[SherrieT]

Originally Posted by Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians

Well get them off to a good start anyway. Get them on a sulfa for cocci, worm them tommorrow. Find someone to disbud them for you and start your vaccination series. If the dam was a Togg/Nubian cross, and the buck LaMancha...which alot of dairies use LaMancha bucks...they could be three triplet sisters. The only thing that will break your heart is when you test them at a year old and find them to have CAE from nursing positive mom....enjoy and at least you know you are not the only one to start this way...I started exactly this way also. Vicki

I don't think they are the same age. Belle has no trace of cord and the other two do.

The little LaMancha just drank another 6 oz. That makes 11oz in the past 5 hours. She got the hang of it quick. Belle has only taken 6oz and the middle child only 4 in the same amount of time. They are more resistive to the bottle than the little one.

I have Eprinex pour on. Do you have any advice on using this for the worming??


Sherrie

[Feral Nature]

Don't pour anything on a goat, even if it is a pour on. I will see what I can find out about eprinex...don't know. Valbazen or cydectin is the usual. Or safeguard if you have it.

[Feral Nature]

ok:

http://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/wormers.htm#eprinex

http://www.barnonemeatgoats.com/worms.html

[SherrieT]

Diane,

Now I'm more confused. Both of those links give a dosage for the pour on but am I supposed to put it on their skin or give orally???

Sorry if this seems like such a dumb question but I'm very confused about the whole thing


Sherrie

[Feral Nature]

I am too, LOL! I am trying to figure it out right now. I have never used it, apparently it is the same as ivermectin. Ivermectin is an injectable that is given orally to goats. This eprinex looks to be a pour on made for goats but the general concensus is to not use a pour on for goats, but to rather give it orally. This wormer may be an exception to the rule.

Are you a member of www.dairygoatinfo.com ?

I'm gonna go ask over there

[SherrieT]

Originally Posted by Feral Nature

Are you a member of www.dairygoatinfo.com ?

I'm gonna go ask over there

As soon as I'm approved I will be

[Feral Nature]

Ok, well i just posted the question. I will post when i get the answer, i'm a bit of a night owl...puts me a bit slow in the mornings though Oh, and you will enjoy that forum very much. So many knowlegeable people and great folks, wonderful atmosphere and there is a goatkeeping 101 section that is a must-read.