More questions about two nubian doelings...

Middle River · #1 10/25/07, 07:59 AM

Another person i know is just getting into goats and bought these two very nice little nubian doelings ( 2), however, untill his fencing and shelter is complete they are staying at my house in a side pen that i have.

They were born May 5th, and are some very healthy little girls - but little - i think anyways, but i'm new to this too. They are a bit shorter then my May 3rd alpine doeling, but close in weight. And they still sound like kids, and have a very kid look. Is this normal for them ? I'm going to guess they are about 45 lbs, give or take.

He really was hopeing to have them bred this year ( or early 2008) - what are the chances of this being ok ? Is there any feed recomendations for good growth to prepare them ? He said their dam was very big, bigger then my alpine doe, so they should finish to be good sized does - right ?

Another issue that came up and i'm worried about - he said these doelings were in with every body ( their dam, aunts and father ) as the dam's were being re-bred - what are the chances these girls are preggo ?

I had him call the breeder asap once i found this out, and he asked if they had been bred and she said no, she didn't see them be bred. But that doesn't mean much. He did say her buck was huge, about the same size as mine (225 lbs ) - so would these little girls have been able to even bear his weight for breeding ? Is there any suggestions on what to do for these girls, or any suggestions at all ?

I know i sure had a rough start in goats, and have learned a lot now, but am still learning, and would like to get this fella and his two new goats off to a good start. Thanks !

HazyDay · #2 10/25/07, 09:52 AM

Don't breed them this year! My April 26 doeling is 75 pounds and still I won't breed her this year. I may put her in with my buck when the Boers start to kid and even then their is a very low chance she will come in heat at that time. I had another question like this asked to me this AM, "Should we breed her??" (Boer X Spanish X Saanen ) I kept saying she is your doe do what you want! I fiond it so hard to tell some one if they should breed them unseen.
My liking would be to breed them in the lat spring of 2008. They will still kid in 2008 and you will get kids. But thats just me! I wont breed a doe till she is 90 - 100 pounds!

fishhead · #3 10/25/07, 10:19 AM

It sounds like if a goat can be bred they get bred if there is a buck within reach.

I think there is something called lute that would terminate the pregnancy but don't know what the drawbacks are.

southerngurl · #4 10/25/07, 10:39 AM

They do sound kinda small for their age, especially if their mom was very big, but they may truly just be slow growers.

Measure their heartgirth. Directly behind their elbow, and around over the withers. Don't squeeze it tight, but firm. What do they measure?

Here is a chart to check their weight.

http://fiascofarm.com/goats/weight-chart.htm

I've found I wasn't a good goat weight guesser, they tend to look like they don't weight as much as they really do.

The normal guide to go by is 80 lbs. But you don't want a fat goat that weighs 80 lbs, but a true 80 lbs and it still depends then. Post a pic or two?

Middle River · #5 10/25/07, 12:25 PM

I'd love to post a pic, but i don't have a dig. camera and am at work - i'll measure them tonight and let you all know tomorrow - i'll see what i can do about a pic as well. Thanks all !

LMonty · #6 10/25/07, 07:13 PM

southerngurl-
was there a link to a chart?

southerngurl · #7 10/25/07, 07:36 PM

Oops, LOL. I added it.

LMonty · #8 10/25/07, 08:04 PM

Tyvm

Middle River · #9 10/26/07, 07:14 AM

Ok, so they are both 24.5 inches ( pulled snug ), one is a bit shorter then the other, and really looks smaller too, but she was the same size. They both sound and look like babys still too, but it says they are about 52 lbs ??? i just can't belive it - they look so tiny - they are only about 1.5-2 max at the withers tall ! i can pick them up with ease and they don't feel that heavy. How close is this way of weighing ? can i trust this ? What do you all think ? any ideas on how to get them growing at all ? Thanks !

southerngurl · #10 10/26/07, 07:48 AM

There's nothing to make them grow, but just giving them all they need to not be slowed in their growth.

Make sure they don't have worms or cocci loads.

Make sure they have constant access to either browse or hay. (all the good food and nutrition they want and will help them build good rumens)

Give them some alfalfa, in hay or pellets. (good nutrition including vitamins, minerals, protein and calcium for growth in a form that is very digestible and also good for the rumen)

Give them a good mineral mix, and clean fresh water at all times.

IMO, they don't need any grain.

Don't make any unneeded changes in their food or routine. (every change to diet they have to adjust to, and any change in routine is a little stressful for them)

Work towards making them as healthy as possible, and their growth will follow at it's potential.

southerngurl · #11 10/26/07, 07:51 AM

If you want to check the accuracy of the heartgirth weight estimate. Get some regular "people" scales. Weigh yourself. Then pick up the (squirming) little one. Step on the scales and see how much more you weigh.

Middle River · #12 10/26/07, 07:53 AM

Thanks ! We will just take care of them, and if they can't be bred this year ( or early 2008 ) i don't think the owner will be too upset - they are sweet little girls.

Kazahleenah · #13 10/26/07, 08:03 AM

Nubians... 5 1/2 months old and maybe 45#?? That's small. Let them grow. Next year they will (with proper feeding etc) be mature and well capable of twins or triplets. Don't rush a breeding that may kill the kids and/or dam. let em grow

Kaza

farm mom · #14 10/26/07, 05:47 PM

I found for my goats that chart was a little generous. I have some very small nubians also and the chart said they weighed 40 and 36 lbs. In reality they weigh 33.5 and 34 lbs. Not too far off but some. Your best bet is get a bathroom scale, weigh yourself, then them. Then you will know for sure!