The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: ballingall on April 13, 2013, 11:21:05 am

Title: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: ballingall on April 13, 2013, 11:21:05 am: Hello all!

So what is happening this month with your goats? Kidding's? CAE tests, foot trimming, vaccinations, worming?

Tell us everything that is happening?!

Remember it is helpful for people for people new to goatkeeping to hear what we are all up to.

Beth
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: fifixx on April 13, 2013, 11:46:12 am: Everything it seems! The kids are between 4-7 weeks old now so need lambivac first injections soon, followed by Ovipast a week after (oh how much I LOVE vaccinating wriggling animals); all adults feet are in need of a good doing - but need some time on wet grass to clean and soften them up first as they are like concrete after a winter inside; eartagging of kids - hate doing it as I am a bit of a wuzz; first turnout once the grass changes from dirty brown to green with some new growth; worm counts need to be done at vets; decisions need to be made about when to separate the billy kids as I didn't ring them this year - but one 6 wk billy is already snuffling, humping and being generally disgusting!
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: sokel on April 13, 2013, 02:14:59 pm: I have 1 due to kid on monday then one on the 25th of this month.
Bottle rearing 2 kids from birth that are now doing well and taking a full bottle 4 times a day
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: Daisys Mum on April 13, 2013, 04:02:38 pm: Oh dear I hadn't even thought about ear tags what goes on them?
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: fifixx on April 13, 2013, 04:08:19 pm: Have a look at Dalton online - herd number on one side and numbers on the other
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: Daisys Mum on April 13, 2013, 04:55:03 pm: Quote from: fifixx on April 13, 2013, 04:08:19 pm
Have a look at Dalton online - herd number on one side and numbers on the other

Thank you :notworthy:
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: Anke on April 13, 2013, 06:21:55 pm: Quote from: Daisys Mum on April 13, 2013, 04:55:03 pm
Quote from: fifixx on April 13, 2013, 04:08:19 pm
Have a look at Dalton online - herd number on one side and numbers on the other

If you have got sheep tags - the goat ones will be the same flock number, so if the sheep ones fit use them. You only need to tag when they are 6 month old, or when/if they leave holding before then.
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: LouiseG on April 13, 2013, 08:30:29 pm: Waiting for flora to kid, due 30th April, growing nicely, good udder already developing :fc: . Freya's not pregnant :'( , and bottle feeding a new BT billy kid whose now 3weeks and doing really well. So watching, waiting and enjoying :)
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: cuckoo on April 13, 2013, 10:36:14 pm: Am sooo glad spring seems to have sprung! Turned out goatlings yesterday so only have at home our billy; Rupert, his wether friend (who is being fattened for freezer - nearly out of meat - last goat joint for dinner tomorrow!), welly, flash and gordon - three kids being reared off mum at home so things a lot easier. Mind you that means have all winter quarters to muck out, need to spread last years muck too.

Kids 10 weeks old so lambivacs to do soon as and will soon be weaning intact boys too.

Have done most foot trimming - just our Rupert's to do - they are hard as nails so am glad of rain to soften them
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: Brucklay on April 13, 2013, 11:25:37 pm: Feet done, wormed, pour on done, mucking out not done but lambing so will have to wait till my energy levels are back up - kids leaving soon - oh no I didn't get enough cuddles, they are looking great but just can't get used to how quick the time goes - not chasing anyone to take them away!!!
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: Carl f k on April 14, 2013, 09:35:40 am: Brucklay?? What is the name of the pour on wormer you use and where do you get it from ?? Please and thank you :thumbsup:
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: ballingall on April 14, 2013, 10:28:08 am: Our kids are only just 4 weeks old, so not old enough for vaccinations. Just keeping an eye out for signs of cocci, as will dose them for that at 6 weeks old.

Need to do some foot trimming, the freshly kidded milkers are taking turns at being wormed (taking turns so that we still have milk for us!).

Was nice here yesterday so all the goats were out. The goatlings now have free range to go inside or out as they want all the time. Gave the goatlings all spot on yesterday as well.

Have started doing entries for shows- first set are done and the Royal Highland entries close next week too.

Beth
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: sokel on April 14, 2013, 10:59:49 am: Well we are back and forth to the shed keeping an eye on Amber who is due tomorrow but is bagged up and wet at the back end :fc:
The weather here is horrendous, very strong wind with heavy rain :(
Title: Re: What are you doing with your goats this month? April
Post by: sokel on April 24, 2013, 11:27:25 pm: Still on Kid watch, this time its one of our 100% Boers due today but so far nothing so looks like another long night.
Also in the process of building another long shed facing onto the stables with a covered walkway between them so we can be out there without getting wet !