Am I stupid or not?

Becky · #1 07/01/08, 08:38 PM

Hi. I have 2 or 3 questions that I am asking here. We have our goats on rented pasture right now. The owners of that pasture are expecting us to put all of our goats on the grass pasture that they have. They insist that we don't need anything else than grass. We have dairy goats. One of our goats is milking, and has a goiter. We know we need to get her on some good minerals, and we think that grass is not enough. Also, when does a buck become fertile?? These owners have been insisting on us putting our 4 month old does in the pen with their buck--we have a breed that once the does turn 4 months old, they are like women--just like us they will go into heat every month. They are kinder goats. So, we are trying to keep our does away from any bucks, including our own, because they are too young to be bred--I don't want them having babies yet. Its like seeing a 15 year old have a baby. Their buck is 4 months old himself.

So, am I crazy?? Am I crazy in thinking that it is not safe for our does to be in the same pen with their buck? Am I crazy in thinking that our goats need more nutrition than what the pasture owner says? How do I get across to them anything?? Or should we find other pasture? Thankfully our whole family is moving to a rental with acreage and we have been granted permission to bring our goats with us.

Becky:

Gate Keeper · #2 07/01/08, 09:03 PM

the grass is not enough you would need to give goat drench to the one with the goiter a couple squirts once a day . a buck can become fertile at 3 months most in 5 or 6 months. you should not breed a doe until its 70% of its adult wieght or 9 months old at the earliest . doe's can go into heat as soon as 3 months. your doe's may be able to breed all year(pygmy) or from aug to dec(nubian) pending on witch part of the breeds they take after

Goat Servant · #3 07/01/08, 09:18 PM

You are not the crazy one!!

Mrs. Jo · #4 07/01/08, 10:39 PM

You are not crazy at all. Is this other breeder also a Kinder breeder? We don't breed our kinders until they are much older because they are slow growing goats. I would never allow a 4 month old doeling to be bred by a buck, nor to be housed with a buck. Just tell the breeder that you would feel safer waiting. Just doesn't sound like a good idea at all.

Becky · #5 07/01/08, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

the grass is not enough you would need to give goat drench to the one with the goiter a couple squirts once a day . a buck can become fertile at 3 months most in 5 or 6 months. you should not breed a doe until its 70% of its adult wieght or 9 months old at the earliest . doe's can go into heat as soon as 3 months. your doe's may be able to breed all year(pygmy) or from aug to dec(nubian) pending on witch part of the breeds they take after

Gate Keeper,

This may sound silly, but is there a particular kind of goat drench or is it just plain goat drench? Where would I find it? Also, folks, I forgot to ask--should I dry my goat up to give her a better chance to fight her goiter? If so, how should I do that? I am liking the wisdom that all of you have here and I am going to enjoy this list immensely!

Becky

DixyDoodle · #6 07/02/08, 04:55 AM

What do you mean, the owner "insists" that you put the buck with your does? You are paying to rent this place? In that case, you can do whatever you want with your goats, he has no say in it. There is no "getting things across" to him, just say NO! My goats, my choice! Sheesh, that owner has a lot of nerve!

I would NOT put a buck with them! I have just removed my 2 month old buckling from the does because he has been mounting the doelings (and sometimes the does) since he was 2 weeks old, and at his age now, it's giving me the creepies. I don't want any "child brides".

Do you even want his goats mixing with yours? I would be careful that his buck is healthy before considering running two separate herds together. If he breeds 4 month old does, it doesn't exactly show a lot of consideration or common sense for his herd. Maybe health isn't a big consideration, either.

vlyons · #7 07/02/08, 05:37 AM

You are getting some good advice here.

The grass. There's grass and then there's grass. Has the owner ever tested his grass for nutrients? Has the owner ever fertilized his pasture? What type of grass is in the pasture. Good pasture grass is wonderful, although I would still supplement dairy goats with a daily pellet.

Don't put the female kids in with the males until you are ready to breed them! These are your goats. You are in control. Don't let the land owner push you around. Listen to his "suggestions," and then use your own common sense to decide how best to manage your goats. '

Virginia Lyond
Able Oaks Dairy Goats