Newbie Goat questions

InHisName · #1 02/04/08, 05:07 PM

Our 2 LaMancha's are due in March- can someone help me through the first steps? Planning on shaving udders first week in March to be prepared. Here are the questions---- What are the signs to look for as far as labor and such? They are in an unheated goat shed- (it is still in the teens here) do I need to bring them in where a heat lamp can be put on them? (the mothers as they kid) After kids are born, how long do you wait to milk them? Do I heat that first colostrum, then give it to kids? Is it one 12 oz bottle 2 x a day? (I think that's what we did with these girls- forgot to write it down!) Do I seperate the kids immediately? Planning on keeping them in the garage with heat lamp- As far as milking, is it 2 x a day, say 8 and 5- how many hours generally between milkings? I purchased iodine for navel, do you dip that immediately? Planning on a friend helping with disbudding, how many days old?
I know that is a bunch of questions- Will be checking fiasco's site too. Thanks! Teri

Goat Servant · #2 02/05/08, 12:18 AM

Hi Inhisname, first off, they don't need a heated area. As long as they are out of any drafts and are dry they will be fine.
Moms colostrum right out of her teat is just what they need.

We iodine navels as soon as kids hit the ground.
Milking is done 12 hrs apart..Fiasco has lots of great info.

Carolyn · #3 02/05/08, 02:04 AM

We always feed newborn kids every 4 hours for the first week. round the clock for the first 24 hrs, then 4 times a day through the second week, then 3 times a day until they are are about 2 months, then 2 times a day until 3 or 4 months. I know many of you will disagreee with me, but it works for me, I think large amounts only 2 times a day stretches their stomachs out, but also leaves the stomach really empty when close to feeding time, so it can mess them up. They start nibbling on feed and hay right away, but not enough to give them the nutrients they need. We separate the kids immediately and milk the does out immediately. I have pasterized colostrum, because I want to be sure to have CAE free goats. We always warm the milk before they are fed. WE milk about 12 hrs apart. I do have a heat lamp available if we kid early, cause we are in ND and the temps can get anywhere from -25 to =35, Then add a wind, you have cold cold weather. I am not sure about LaMancha's for disbudding. With my Nubians, we can disbud within a week. We watch the does behavior when she is in labor and usually the udder will fill and be taunt, not hard, but taunt, also learn to check the ligaments, usually the ligaments will go when they are ready to kid. There are many really good goat people that have good advice. Good Luck Carolyn

moonspinner · #4 02/05/08, 07:52 AM

Just wondering - how many of you shave udders pre-kidding? I've never done it and can't see a significant purpose to it.

Teacupliz · #5 02/05/08, 10:50 AM

maybe because you do not mik moonspinner- when you milk it tends to pull hair that is why I like to shave. Cleaner milk, no hair pulling and if you shave the back end there is less hair for the mess to stick too.
Liz

InHisName · #6 02/05/08, 12:32 PM

thanks so much, there are very few goats in our county, and I can count on this website for "goat friends"!

Blossomgapfarm · #7 02/05/08, 05:05 PM

I don't shave my girls before kidding or for milking. What ever works best for you and makes you most comfortable.

moonspinner · #8 02/06/08, 08:55 AM

Hi Liz

Actually I do milk and have never noted any problems with stickiness. Maybe my girls just aren't that hairy - ha!

Teacupliz · #9 02/06/08, 09:02 AM

Hi Lynn-- Guess my does are hairy-- LOL
Plus I have a permit to sell raw milk and the milk has to be spotless- NYS is picky-
Liz

dkdairygoats · #10 02/06/08, 03:28 PM

You don't have to milk 12 hours apart. Consistency is much more important. Make it the same time every day and 8 and 5 is fine. My goats definately don't get milked every 12 hours exactly and they do fine.