The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: john2708 on January 24, 2011, 04:39:01 pm
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hi i am a first time goat keeper and my goats had babys 2 weeks ago iv registered them with defra but what else do i need to do for legal reason and for the well being of the baby goats thanks for your help in advance cheers john
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welcome to TAS John and congratulations on your goat kids :)
I've not had kids (of the 4 legged variety!) yet so will watch this thread with interest but just wanted to say hello. what kind of goats do you have?
Lisa
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thanks for the welcome i have pigmy goats i bought them last october i think and to our surprise she gave birth 2 weeks ago i think her sister is pregnant too as she is rather large cheers john
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oh no! so you didn't know she was in kid when you got her? oh wow, exciting but scary I'd guess!?
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Just watch that the kids feed well, and feed the nanny accordingly, she will need more concnetrate. But I have milking goats, so no idea about quantities for pygmies.
Are the kids male or female? If you have male kid(s), you will need to decide what to do with them. As you probably don't know the sire, i should think they would not be of any use for breeding. As they are older than 7 days you will have to get them castrated by the vet, otherwise they may become quite smelly and will have to be kept away from any females. But as wethers they will make ideal comapnions for females/sisters, if you decide to sell them.
You will need to get eartags with your herdnumber for them in due course (6months or when they leave the holding if that's earlier, but not for vet visit), double tags plus applicator/tagger. I can't give advice on which tags are particularly good/ or least worse for pigmies, but maybe there is a breedsociety. Also take advice from them re vaccinating.
Other than that, start giving them some hay/concentrate soon and think of some catchy names! Enjoy!
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http://www.pygmygoatclub.org/ (http://www.pygmygoatclub.org/)
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thanks for all the help so far to answer a few question. No i didnt now there were pregnant. were do i get the tags from for there ears ???
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I assume the female goats are tagged already, so you just need to get tags with your herd number on, for your new kids. There are various types on the market, mine are the green plastic type. I left my youngsters as long as possible before tagging, because they are good at ripping tags out. (and their ears!) Unfortunately you cannot buy just a couple of tags, they come in strips, but obviously, they will be useful for other kids you may breed.
Its very likely they will have horns - you will be able to feel. if not see the buds appearing. The vet will be able to remove these when he castrates any males you have.
Worming and feet trimming are two important things you need to do on a regular basis. For me, I make sure my goats always have plenty of forage (hay). It is important not to overfeed them with concentrates, this can cause problems, and pygmy goats can manage on smaller quantities in their buckets.
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You can get the vet to dis-budded them but you don't have to if your (or where they may go to) are happy to have them with horns afterall they were designed that way
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thanks for all the help you have all been great. My goats have green ear tags in with a number on them ill get some of them i think and hold off taging there ears until there ready to be sold againe thanks for all the help