Two dumb goat questions

[Shygal]

I feel silly asking these

What do I get to trim their hooves? I see foot rot shears in the store and the goat supply website, is that the thing? How often do they need to be trimmed? Can you use anything else?

Ok that was three questions but one subject lol

The second is about BOSS, having wethers I am not going to be feeding that, but when I get a dairy doe or two.....notice the "if" changed to "when"?

It took me about 3 weeks to figure out what BOSS stood for in the first place, but my dumb question is are they in the shell when you feed them? Its the same as you buy for birds, yes?

I love my two goatie guys lol When I drive in in the morning, I see two sets of ears and horns pop up over the barn wall where they are, and the "maaaaah we are starving you never fed us for the past year maaaaaahhh" s start up. they talk to me when Im out there doing stuff, but I think they are just agreeing with what I say to suck up

[Rockytopsis]

I am not sure what "foot rot shears" are but most places like TSC or the local co-op will have hoof trimmers for goats.
Yes you leave the BOSS in the shell, the same that you would buy for birds.

You know that my goats tell me the same thing every morning, Maaaaaa you have not fed me in a year, sooooooooo hungry.

Nancy

[sammyd]

we use a small double sided hoof trimming knife from the cow care aisle at Fleet Farm sorta like this one
http://www.enasco.com/product/C27222N
We also use an end nippers we picked up in the tool section at Menards sorta like this one
http://compare.ebay.com/like/2606442...Types&var=sbar

[Alice In TX/MO]

These:
http://www.hoeggergoatsupply.com/xca...8&cat=0&page=1

Frequency depends on the goat - once a month on some, less often on others.

Yes, bird seed Black Oil Sunflower Seeds in the shell. 50 lb sack at the feed store will last for months. Smaller sacks available where bird seed is sold, even Wal-Mart.

[HappyFarmer]

[QUOTE=Shygal;4762243]I feel silly asking these

What do I get to trim their hooves? I see foot rot shears in the store and the goat supply website, is that the thing? **Hoof rot sheers are good to have if you encounter hoof issues, where the hooves become hard as a rock and difficult to trim. They do, however, take the skin off of your thumb if you don't wear gloves. For regular trimming we use the ARS trimmers(jeffers livestock or tractor supply), after using various types & brands of trimmers we find the ARS are the best, stay sharp, easy to handle, and the latch doesn't break to to keep them closed during storage.

How often do they need to be trimmed? Can you use anything else? **Trimming frequencies depend on the goat, issues with their hooves, terrain, feed, etc. It could be once a month, every 3 months or once a year. We average every 3-4 months.

The second is about BOSS, having wethers I am not going to be feeding that, but when I get a dairy doe or two.....notice the "if" changed to "when"? **We add boss when we want to add some weight on the herd (like going into winter), to shine up their coats, and for extra protein. If they seem to need the extra protein only, it is more cost effective to give them alfalfa pellets.

It took me about 3 weeks to figure out what BOSS stood for in the first place, but my dumb question is are they in the shell when you feed them? Its the same as you buy for birds, yes?
**Read the bag label. It should say black oil sunflower seeds. No, some bird feeds are not black oil seeds. Yes you feed them shell and all.

**No question is dumb. How else will you learn? Ask away, just know that you will get varied answers, and you need to decide what is best for your herd and your situation.

HF

[IndyGardenGal]

I use the green handled foot rot trimmers from Jeffers. They just work a bit better for us, and we're more comfortable using them. They work great!

[Oat Bucket Farm]

I use the same trimmers Alice does. My goats need their feet trimmed every 3 to 4 weeks but they don't have any rocks or anything to wear them down naturally.

BOSS- same stuff you feed birds and fed in the shell.

The only silly question is the one that goes un-asked.

I'm glad you are enjoying your goats. That your "if" you get dairy does turned into *when* was inevitable. Goats are very addictive

[Minelson]

I use the same ones that Alice posted. Any pruning shears will work. I also like the hoof plane http://www.hoeggergoatsupply.com/xca...&cat=48&page=1
I trim about every 8-10 weeks...mine are on rough concrete a lot so I don't have to do it every month. It's easier if you stay on top of it.
I'm so glad you love your goats! They really move right into your heart

[Natural Beauty Farm]

For a cheap alternative you can also use a 1.99 breakaway knife from a hardware store. I keep one in my back pocket and check my girls all the time for a touch up. Some are so use to it they lift up their legs as I walk around. Did not realize it until a little girl was visiting and she asked how I taught my goats to "shake"

[motdaugrnds]

I have tried the goat shears when I first started raising goats and paid a nice amount for them; however, for the last 6 yrs I have used ordinary box cutters. (They never spring and I can change blades to keep them sharp easily.)

I have learned each goat's hooves grow differently in some degree and depends a lot on how much grain they eat. My bucks' hooves are hard as rocks and I use "boots" (Purchased a Hoeggers.) for their "front" feet so as to soften them enough to trim them well. The does' hooves can be hard (all depending on whether the pasture they walked over was wet or dry); but not nearly as difficult to trim and I have never had to use the boots on them. I wind up trimming all hooves every 3-4 months.

It would be wise to get some "pictorial representation" as to how your goats hooves need to look when trimmed as that will help guide you. Just remember to slice "thin" strips off at a time so you can see how much trim off without the hoof bleeding.

[KSALguy]

we used the regular gardin pruning shears found at walmart or lowes, a good sturdy pair for rose bushes worked great,

[Bearfootfarm]

I thought your two dumb goats had a question?

[Shygal]

My goats arent dumb

[Oat Bucket Farm]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

I thought your two dumb goats had a question?

[rootsandwings]

dumb goat question: goat, <assuming innocent look> "hey, why are you putting that 500lb test chain on that gate? don't you trust me to stay out of the feed?"

I use rose pruners I like the strong sharp points for cleaning, the hold shut latch, and the scissor action.

[Backfourty,MI.]

I also use a rose type/pruning shears I bought at Meigers for $8.99. I've used them now for about 5 years & have never had to sharpen them yet either, They work great.

I love it when my goats talk to me too, I swear sometimes they know exactly what I'm saying too. Glad we don't have neighbors or people around here much because I talk to the rabbits, ducks & goats all the time!

[Bearfootfarm]

My goats arent dumb

Hey! I didn't say it, you did:

Two dumb goat questions

If you put some concrete "patio blocks" around your water trough, it will help keep them worn down too

[Wags]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

If you put some concrete "patio blocks" around your water trough, it will help keep them worn down too

I'm going to have to give that a try. I trim every 4 weeks.

[Shygal]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

If you put some concrete "patio blocks" around your water trough, it will help keep them worn down too

Oh hey, thats a good idea

[francismilker]

A pile of concrete cinder blocks erected into what looks like a set of porch steps makes a dual purpose playtoy/hoof grinder for my goats.