Author Topic: New goats (Read 1826 times)

zarzar · « **on:** August 07, 2013, 11:36:36 pm »

Hi all we have just been given 2 breeding pygmy goats the doe had a kid back in febuary that she rejected due to the kid having very little suckling reflect-es, and on arrival the previous owner said she could be due again in August/september again as they think she may have gon straight back to the billy, my question is how can i tell if she is in kid or even when she likely to be due? new to keeping goats and wasnt expecting this, plus she is pretty flighty at min.

Anke · « **Reply #1 on:** August 08, 2013, 07:04:15 am »

She will develop an udder at some point in the last month before kidding, other than that pretty difficult to tell. Give her a good ration (pygmy size though) of concentrate, but to be honest I have no idea on quantities for pygmy goats. Pygmy goat soc should have more helpful advice I guess.

Get a good book on goats from your library.

jaykay · « **Reply #2 on:** August 08, 2013, 08:32:42 am »

My (very limited) experience of pygmy goats is that they love to eat and so look pregnant anyway if you're not careful (I have two rescued wethers!)

Can't help with pygmy goats giving birth therefore, but Brucklay will be able to.

Mine were very flighty to start with. I kept them in a fairly small pen to begin with and every time I had a cup of tea/coffee, I took it there and sat with them.

I always had sultanas in my pockets and gradually they came to eat those from my hands. It took a lot longer before they wanted stroking, (sides first, keep away from head until feeling really brave) but now (4 months later) they'll come for their leads to be put on to walk out to the paddock, they'll come for treats and they'll both be stroked

zarzar · « **Reply #3 on:** August 08, 2013, 04:08:28 pm »

ok thanks for replys guys i sit with them when i feed them for 10-15 mins can stroke female lightly now but she still pretty flighty

Brucklay · « **Reply #4 on:** August 12, 2013, 08:32:50 pm »

Hi Zarzar - I was feeding my girls about a cup full morning and night and the wethers less.

At the moment mine are on a diet as some were looking a bit spoilt/fat side and are on one feed a day with good grass and good add lib hay.

If your not sure if she is pregnant then I wouldn't up her food till you see things changing as she's been breed before you should (with any luck see the signs earlier) as soon as her udders start to form then I would up her feed.

TBH we have never had a problem with Twin Lamb/Pregnancy toxaemia in the goats as pygmy's rarely have triplets and they are in good health/well fed it tends to be the other way with kidding issues requiring a c-section although 1 x 4kg kid last year rather than 2 x 2kg kids was just bad luck.

If they are housed at night it a great opportunity to just sit with them and tempt them with the odd treat - they are inquisitive and will come to you in time - especially for treats!!

Enjoy your goats Clare

zarzar · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2013, 09:46:17 pm »

Thanks clare they have about a cupfull once a day at min mainly so they come over shes getting abit more friendly always got hay as like the sheep to have access to it to,she had one kid for previous owner but she said she didnt really show and didnt feed it as kid was weak.they dont get locked in at night but have access to a shelter which she tends to go hide in.
thanks zara