Introducing myself and my new pygmy

[goatn00b]

My name is Kristen and I live on the outskirts of Orlando, FL. My hubby and I have been interested in homesteading and sustainable living for quite a while now. We have about 2 acres and a small flock of chickens. But I have been in love with the idea of having a couple of goats for milking and cuddling purposes (good lord, they're cute). I have been reading this forum for a few months now gleaning all of the wonderful information you all have to offer. I knew I wanted goats but also knew we weren't quite ready for them. But.....

Today, my hubby and I bought an absolutely beautiful African pygmy doe from a girl who was selling off her goats because she had to move into an apartment. Our new doe, named Kaia, is 4 months pregnant (roughly) and I have a few questions for you guys and gals.

1. She was on goat pellets and the occasionally offered sweet feed. Is there anything else I should have her eating in the last month or so of her pregnancy? Any kind of supplements? Is there anything I should have her avoid eating this last month or so of pregnancy?

2. What vaccinations should I give before she kids? What vaccs should I give the kids after they are born?

3. Lastly, does anyone on this board live in the Central Florida area? I would love to find a mentor that can help me with all the things that go along with goat keeping and kidding. The girl I bought my goat from was very knowledgeable but she is moving out the area.

Thanks so much for reading. I know my post is a little disjointed. I am just excited and nervous at the same time!!

[CaliannG]

~pounces on the Newbie! Fresh meat!~ Oops, sorry there. Sometimes my carnivorous nature takes control.

1. Up the amount of her grain in the last month. For a Pygmy, I'd top out, right before kidding, to about 1.5-2 lbs of grain per day. That can be in pellet form or other forms. Stay away from feeds containing molasses...the sulfurs inhibit mineral uptake.

2. 1 month before kidding, worm and give copper bolus. 2 weeks before kidding, a C,D, & T vaccination and a Bo-Se. Week doe is due, tear out all hair and become addicted to drugs. Once kids are born, give Bo-se to kids, CMPK drench to doe, check for need of Vit. B shot or thiamine shot, give up drug addiction for goat addiction.

4. Wish I lived near enough to mentor you...the first thing I'd do is send you some place to get another goat. Goats do BADLY when they are alone...they MUST be kept in, at least, pairs.

[Oat Bucket Farm]

Hello and welcome! My first piece of advice is to get another doe for her. She will do badly without a friend.

[bknthesdle]

Hello and welcome! I will have my first goat in a few weeks. So I am taking notes for the future. I do have some questions.

What is CMPK drench? What does it do for the doe?
How do you check their vitamin B or thiamine levels?
Where do you purchase Bo- Se?

[julieq]

Welcome to the forum! You'll get all the answers you need from this wonderful group. One thing you definitely need is a second goat to keep your doe company though. And whatever feed changes you make, be sure to make them slowly.

[goatn00b]

Thanks so much for replying so quickly. I am pretty sure the goat addiction has already set in!

I really did hesitate to only get one goat because I know that they do better in pairs. We are going to keep one of the babies for her companion, be it another doe (crossing fingers) or a boy that we'll wether. I was hoping until then the fact that we practically LIVE outside (me, my hubby, and my two kiddos) that she would have enough companionship for this next month from being with us. Do you guys think that will do? Or should we really consider getting her a pal this week? (Don't worry, if it's the latter I will definitely do it with gusto!!)

[CaliannG]

CMPK is Gatorade for goats...especially needed after kidding. She really needs the calcium in it. It is available over-the-counter at your feed store.

Bo-SE is available from your vet. You can even get it in pre-measured syringes.

Mainly, you look for deficiency rather than check for it. B-Complex (available over the counter) and Thiamine (available from your vet) are what one gives if the kids to "wake up their brain". B-deficiencies can cause swelling in the brain in just born kids, and Goat Polio in older goats.

E.T.A. She will likely do alright for the month if you are keeping her kids. I think it would be hard on her and a new pal to finally get them used to each other, only to have to separate them for her to kid.

Of course, if you want a good excuse to get TWO more goats.......

[bknthesdle]

Thank you so much for the information. I feel better prepared, the more knowledge I have.

[Backfourty,MI.]

Welcome & congratulations on the start of your new little herd. Would Love to see a picture of your new gal too. You would first have to upload any photos to a photo site like Photobucket or Flicker then copy & paste them here.

Lots of very knowledgable folks here & so many nice folks willing to help when ever you need it.
Also the day she kids or if late at night the next day make sure you worm her. Not sure what they use in Florida but I use Cydectin the day of kidding & then again 10 days later. No worming for the baby then though.

[goatn00b]

Here is a picture of my new girl! (hope I did it right)



Picture 043 by GoatN00b, on Flickr

[Backfourty,MI.]

They are both beautiful! Looks like the human kid is REALLY happy to have your new little doe too!

[AuntKitty]

Welcome to the forum! I know of one HT member in Lakeland that I bought my herdsire from a couple of years ago, I think her forum name was JacquieJackie or something like that. She doesn't post much anymore and she had Nubians, not pygmys. I'm sure there are others. I am north of Tallahassee and there are 2 other members in my area and 1 in SW Georgia. Ivomec is the wormer still working for me and the others as far as I know. Don't forget to post pix when those babies come!

Kitty

[bknthesdle]

Your goat is darling!!

[Cheribelle]

Wow. Those are two of the cutest little girls I have ever seen.
Speechless.

[goatn00b]

Thanks! I am pretty partial to both of them. Especially the human girl

[rranch]

You mentioned your goat is 4 months prego? Does she have an udder yet? How old is she? Just wondering. I raise pygmies. I think it is best not to breed until 14 months and before 3 years of age due to growth and settlement of the hips. Of course, once they have been bred they are safe to breed successfully throughout their life. Please be present when she kids, just in case she needs assistance. Your little goatie looks very young, like under a year?

[goatn00b]

Originally Posted by rranch

You mentioned your goat is 4 months prego? Does she have an udder yet? How old is she? Just wondering. I raise pygmies. I think it is best not to breed until 14 months and before 3 years of age due to growth and settlement of the hips. Of course, once they have been bred they are safe to breed successfully throughout their life. Please be present when she kids, just in case she needs assistance. Your little goatie looks very young, like under a year?

She does not have an udder yet. And I DO NOT KNOW HOW OLD SHE IS!!! Now I am freaking out!! I am about to call the girl I got her from and ask. All I heard was she is "full grown" and 4 months pregnant and after that I got big starry eyes and lost my wits apparently.

[rranch]

OMG please don't freak out, you need to help her... I have had a doe kid at 11 mo before. It does happen. And she will be fine, because you love her and you are a good mommy.

[rranch]

Things to do;
CDT 2cc Sub-q
Worming (I use ivermectin Plus Injectible ORALLY).5cc-.75cc to every 50lbs
It is pretty difficult to over worm a goat. Their metabolism is extremely fast.
This will also help vaccinate the babies and take care of the lice. It is ok to
vaccinate in the third trimester. In fact it is recommended.
You might trim her hooves she may need it.
Do not worm the babies.(they lose the ability to suck)

[CaliannG]

Originally Posted by goatn00b

....... and after that I got big starry eyes and lost my wits apparently.

There, there hon. It's okay. Over 90% of us started out with goats in the same way as you have just described. Remind me to tell you sometime about how I brought home goats in the back of a Geo Metro. Or how I talked DH into letting me have them in our HOA patrolled, fully Suburban backyard.

(Hey, the neighbors all had those noisy Labradors and German Shepherds, right? Who are they to complain that I have goats on my back patio, right? RIGHT?!)

Now, she is pregnant. She might be a good girl and let you know EXACTLY when she is going to pop, so that you have plenty of time to be right there and hold her hoof through it...or she might be a stealth kidder and not let you know anything before:

1. Babies are dry, up and running about, and she is looking smug.
2. When she REALLY needs help and is desperate.

So, last month, but of unknown breeding. Can you take her to the vet and have an ultrasound done? That will give you a MUCH better idea of how far along she is, so that you can prepare better.

Most of the time, we enchew vets because most of them don't know a thing about goats...but an ultrasound is an ultrasound. If it is cost prohibitive, well, first make sure she IS pregnant by getting blood drawn and sending it to www.biotracking.com It cost $7.50, and it will REALLY ease your mind.

Worming (Ivomectin Plus given orally rather than injected) will take care of the lice, and even if she is pregnant, at 4 months, she is far enough along for it not to be an issue. If she is not pregnant, then there is no issue. You want her as parasite free as possible...those lice are likely making her miserable, which CAN'T be good for her!

Now, take a deep breath and focus on those two things: Worming (parasite control) and finding out how far along she is, or if she is pregnant. Once you know the answers to those two things, you can plan from there.