New to this list....

[NorCalChicks]

Hi everyone!
Until now I have only posted on the Poultry, Equine and pets list, but I put a deposit on my first goat baby last weekend and I'm soooo excited!
I've totally enjoyed reading about everyones goats and seeing all the new kids!
I'm afraid my new addition is simply an indulgence, I've always wanted one, and now that we are moving to our new little ranch in NV, I could finally have one!
Ok, so I have some first-timer question!
*How young can kids be weaned?
*I read threads on CAE and CL - how old do they have to be to get tested, and can those be spread to ther hoofed animals (to be exact horses!). We have two adult horses and will be bringing my new colt home soon as well.
*Since we will be living in a desert-type enviroment, I'm guessing I can't rely on him just getting by on weeds - what does everyone reccomend for feeding?
As for my new kid, he's a Nubian, and was kidded about 2 1/2 - 3 weeks ago. He will be a wether, and I've named him Attis. Here's his pic...

I was told he would be ready to pic up the second week in May - does that sound right? Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Donna

[Minelson]

Hi Donna, Welcome! Attis is really cute! I can see why your excited. In your reading did you see that goats do much better if they have another goat for a friend? They get lonely, so you might want to get 2 goats. I have a pygmy with twin babies. I feed twice a day...1 cup grain (horse 14%) Large flake alfalfa that all 3 share. They get free choice grass hay and browse. Free choice goat minerals and a cattle mineral block. Free choice baking soda and fresh water. I give the black oil sunflower seeds as a treat (BOSS). Good luck!

[Alice In TX/MO]

A wether won't need much grain at all. Alfalfa hay. Ammonium chloride to keep his urinary tract from clogging.

[CountryHaven]

He's beautiful. I second trying to find him a little doe, or wether buddy. Also, he looks part Boer... but even if he's pure Nubian, he's probably gonna be a big boy. Good hay, a good goat mineral (some have AC in them to help with urinary blockage) and he should be in good shape.

[NorCalChicks]

Thanks! He actually was the only one she had left at the time, but she let me know someone else decided not to get one, so now another is available! Whats one more! I'll have to see if I can talk the other half into it - of course I've conceeded to countless lizards and snakes at this point, so I think I'm owed one!
By my calculations he will be about 6 weeks old when they want him picked up - will he be ok with regular food at that point or will he still need bottle feeding?

[NorCalChicks]

[QUOTE=CountryHaven;3006246]Also, he looks part Boer... QUOTE]

Hmmm....I personally would have no clue! Here is a pic of the momma doe...any thoughts?

[Backfourty,MI.]

6 weeks seems awfully young to wean him. I don't wean mine at that age, he should be eating hay, etc. at that age though but I would think he would still need milk. I guess I would have to ask the people where he's coming from. Also try to feed the same type hay, & what ever else they feed since goats have a very sensitive stomach!
Also Ditto on the ammonium chloride especially if you give him any grain. Better to give the AC than have urinary calculi later!

By the way a big WELCOME to the goat forum also & Attis is adorable! I would be very excited too!!

[BethW]

Welcome Donna! Attis is just precious

For what it's worth, when DH and I started talking goats, I told him he'd have to agree to two since they do need companionship. He was so smitten with them that we hadn't gotten home with the first two when he turned to me and said that two seemed like a lonely number, and really shouldn't we get another? So now we have three

Enjoy your cutie-pie!

[crazygoatgal]

You are going to love being a goat mom. And your little boy is so cute. I give a loose mineral called Sweetlix Magnum Milk and bolous with copper. Copper deficiency is such a widespread problem. Try and read everything you can about it as well as urinary calculi.

[NorCalChicks]

Well, got a report back last night on the new place - looks like I have room for two with room to spare!! I think I'll find out if the other kid is still available!