It's crunch time and my brain is mush!

IndyGardenGal · #1 04/12/10, 08:38 PM

Two of my alpine does are coming home with me on Saturday! I'm very excited, but I feel like everything I had read, studied, and learned has suddenly gone out the window.

What are the absolute must haves I need to be sure I'm totally prepared? They are both dry does. I already have my Right Now Onyx Mineral (because it had to be special ordered). I forgot to ask the feed barn if they had the Diamond V Yeast the last time we went (I knew I was forgetting something). We have the hay feeder and the mineral feeder.

Tell me, what odds and ends am I forgetting? I feel like I'm going to screw up, and I just want to be a good goat mama.

Oh and the breeder we got these two from sent us the CAE tests...both very negative!

Minelson · #2 04/12/10, 08:45 PM

Treats and a good stiff comb or brush for grooming. Mine like the undercoat rake the best. You are not going to screw up. Just having the Right Now Onyx is huge! You only have to remember 3 things...food, water, shelter. Enjoy the new goats! I bet you are so excited!!

Goat Servant · #3 04/12/10, 08:55 PM

For now you have the important stuff covered but Im sure someone will add to it. Try to relax & enjoy them!
When I first brought mine home I was a basket case so I can relate.
You have the same grain right? The ones they've always been getting?
If not you could buy a bag from them.

IndyGardenGal · #4 04/12/10, 09:05 PM

They are using a textured feed with the Purina Goat Charger. She's giving me some to transition them to Noble Goat-dairy parlor 16%. What the breeder mixes up ends up being a little over 15% as it stands.

What treats do you think are best for the goats? I was going to buy a bag of BOSS to have as a small treat.

I am nervous and excited. I was the kid at the 4-H barns every chance I got hanging out with dairy goats. Now I finally get to have some of my own! Tomorrow is my birthday, so this weekend is going to be like getting the best birthday presents ever!

Pony · #5 04/12/10, 09:07 PM

I'm so excited for you!

You're doing fine -- better prepared than I was when I got my first goats last year in May. (Gosh, it's been almost a year!)

You'll pick up on what you need to know, and the folks here are super-helpful.

Again, so happy for you! Congratulations!

Tallabred · #6 04/12/10, 09:18 PM

Be sure to have dewormer to give them immediately(mistake I made). My goats LOVE bananas - skin and all!

Minelson · #7 04/12/10, 09:24 PM

Raisins, Frosted Mini Wheats, Marshmellows, Corn chips, crackers...just not a lot of anything.

Goat Servant · #8 04/12/10, 11:33 PM

Oh yeah Tallabred, bananas with peels still on! Theres only a few of mine tht go bananas for bananas but they only get maybe a 1/4 of one each every few days.
One girl is near impossible to catch. But if theres a peel or piece she is putty in my hands.
And Happy Birthday IndyGardenGal!!

Backfourty,MI. · #9 04/13/10, 05:38 AM

Congratulations on your new goats! I hope you Love them. We sure love ours & they are so much fun, while they can be a pain in the butt sometimes!

Sounds like your pretty prepared already but if you have any questions theres always good folks here with lots of answers.
Don't forget we like pictures of the new goats too!

Mine Love animals crackers & apple I slice up in small peices the best for there daily treats. But they also Love different melons, baby carrots, stale roll's or bun's. raisins. peanut butter crackers, etc. Do they sound like little pigs?

IndyGardenGal · #10 04/13/10, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backfourty,MI.

Congratulations on your new goats! I hope you Love them. We sure love ours & they are so much fun, while they can be a pain in the butt sometimes!

Sounds like your pretty prepared already but if you have any questions theres always good folks here with lots of answers.
Don't forget we like pictures of the new goats too!

Mine Love animals crackers & apple I slice up in small peices the best for there daily treats. But they also Love different melons, baby carrots, stale roll's or bun's. raisins. peanut butter crackers, etc. Do they sound like little pigs?

No issues there. I'm so excited to take pics. I wish I would have brought my camera with me when we went and saw them. One of the girls just put her head up against my 4 year old and let her pet on her. It was incredibly sweet.

I'm going to buy a tube of Quest this week to worm them. We also have to run to the feed barn to get a bag of Diamond V yeast. I have enough baking soda until my next Costco run. They want $19 a bag at the feed barn

I'm very lucky, as the breeder is bolusing them before we take them and just trimmed up their hooves. She's been awesome and emails me to keep in touch and answer all my questions.

My co-workers had my cube covered with pics of goats when I came in today, and put things like "Happy Birthday Goat Lady!" on my desk. They sense my excitement (that and I talk about it a lot LOL).

chewie · #11 04/13/10, 10:41 PM

a hearty congrats! but be warned, they are addictive!!