Picking up a nubian today

RockyRidgeFarms · #1 01/04/13, 10:19 AM

So I've been looking for dairy goats for a bit, (posted here a few days ago with some questions), and found one for sale sale from a young family that kind of jumped from the city life to the homestead life with both feet and quickly got overwhelmed. No training, no facilities, just desire. They actually have done very well but have realized they need to back up a bit and get some facilities and setup before continuing. They had three dairy goats, 2 Alpine and 1 Nubian. All from a local, reputable breeder, good milkers, temperment, and kidders. They gave the two Alpines to a friend who knows goats, and I stumbled onto their ad for the Nubian. To get to my question,(I always like to give a little history first), They have gone the "natural" route in feeding and meds. It sounds like they where very diligent in this. This Nubian is due to kid the end of the month. Is it too late to medicate for worms, CD&T, etc and get any immunity boost to the kids within that time frame? Can I even give shots this close to the end of term?
I was hoping for a doe in milk but this will work as well because it will give the doe and my family, (as well as my other little weed eater goat), time to gain trust in one another.

thaiblue12 · #2 01/04/13, 10:25 AM

I stopped vaccinating my pregnant does a few years ago, I actually stopped vaccinating everyone except boys that get banded. But yes you can vaccinate her with 2cc's of CD&T now, worm her when she kids.

If she is use to having friends and is lonely she may complain quite a bit and annoy you. If you get her a friend or she kids that will stop.

RockyRidgeFarms · #3 01/04/13, 10:39 AM

Thanks.I do have an old Pygmy goat here we kept when I sold rest of my Pygmies. He was too cool and too mellow to let go. I was planning on him filling the "budy" gap until she kidds.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 01/04/13, 11:28 AM

You know when I read wonderful things like this, I click over to CraigsList and read the ads. Sigh. I can't have chickens due to hubby's immune system, and I don't need another horse, or cattle, or pigs. I *really* don't need more goats.

You are causing critter lust.

Edited to add:
It's all your fault. There's a paint gelding offered for sale in the same small town I live just outside of. Your fault. Completely. :P

Backfourty,MI. · #5 01/04/13, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

You know when I read wonderful things like this, I click over to CraigsList and read the ads. Sigh. I can't have chickens due to hubby's immune system, and I don't need another horse, or cattle, or pigs. I *really* don't need more goats.

You are causing critter lust.

Edited to add:
It's all your fault. There's a paint gelding offered for sale in the same small town I live just outside of. Your fault. Completely. :P

It so hard when you see all those ad's & you know you could give them all a really good home!

Backfourty,MI. · #6 01/04/13, 11:57 AM

I would vaccinate for CD & T now then again in 4 weeks. Wait to worm until she kids like thaiblue12 suggested.

Try & get CMPK & B0-Se to have on hand just in case you need it for her when she kids. If they were going all natural she might not have been getting enough calcium.

Congratulations on your new doe. Sounds like she's just what you & your family need & the perfect new home.

AuntKitty · #7 01/04/13, 01:17 PM

If you are in a selenium deficient area, I would give the Bose now. That way it will help the doe with her delivery and give the kids a boost. Good luck with your new girl and don't forget to post pictures!

Kitty

CaliannG · #8 01/04/13, 02:22 PM

I am with AuntKitty, Bo-Se now. You can do vaccinations now as well. I'd start giving her Doe Gatorade and alfalfa to boost her calcium as well.

Worm her on the day she kids.

RockyRidgeFarms · #9 01/05/13, 11:55 AM

Well, here's the update. Went to get her, pulled up in the drive with no one home, they were on their way back from an in town errand, the doe walked right up to the fence and was very friendly. She looks skinny to me being only a month out. But the owner had dates of cover and stated she was skinny with the last pregnancy. Long story short, we got her, and haggled for her 2 year age difference sister,(also bred, and the bag of loose minerals they have been on,(whew!), for $225. We had grass hay with some alfalfa in the trailer which all but disappeared on the way home. They ate again when we got home. Actually a very nice young family we got them from, just over whelmed and have learned by proxy. I think their next go-round with goats will be successful.
We'll do a round of CD&T, hold on the wormer, plenty of green grass, grass hay free choice, with some alfalpha and dry cobb morning and night to get their strength back. Of course the loose minerals with celenium. I'll work on picks.

motdaugrnds · #10 01/05/13, 03:25 PM

Congrats on getting both Nubians. Sounds like you are on your way to becoming a quality herder.

Looking forward to pics.

Backfourty,MI. · #11 01/05/13, 03:31 PM

I would not give them COB. If they are a little skinny & you want to give them a little grain(not too much early in the pregnancy) I would give a 16% dairy pellet mixed with some crimped oats is what I give mine.

Good deal on getting the sister too.