The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: fifixx on January 26, 2011, 06:08:16 pm

Title: Separating mums-to-be from young ones
Post by: fifixx on January 26, 2011, 06:08:16 pm

I have 3 in-kid nannies in the barn with last years kids which are now about 9 months old.  I've noticed the mums-to-be getting a bit (as in thump, let me throw you up against the wall) impatient with the young ones at feeding time.  Should they be separated before kidding or will they all rub along OK?

The boss mum has always been pretty feisty, but as they have horns it probably seems worse than it is! 

Title: Re: Separating mums-to-be from young ones
Post by: ballingall on January 26, 2011, 09:57:07 pm

I would probably separate them, the mum's will be needing a bit extra food in the last stages of pregnancy anyway.


Beth

Title: Re: Separating mums-to-be from young ones
Post by: fifixx on January 31, 2011, 12:20:33 pm

I m feeding morning and evening - about 500g per animal - is that enough for the mums?  They are due end March

Title: Re: Separating mums-to-be from young ones
Post by: Anke on January 31, 2011, 12:35:31 pm

Yes for the moment (they are milking goats?) that should be more than enough. My BT type nanny is on about 500g plus some sugarbeet per day (they are dry), then start to increase slowly from 6 -7 weeks onwards. By the end they probably should be on about 2kgs per day? Plus hay of course, mine need by then about 3-4 meals, as they will not eat large portions anymore.

My GG this morning left quite a bit of her mix, she is just starting to increase, due in 6 weeks.