The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: goosepimple on June 22, 2012, 09:24:06 pm
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Hi all, I was thinking of bringing along a couple of our pygmy goats to the Border Union Show, one of which I would like to show in the any other variety class (she's a goatling not yet born a kid). I'm a bit nervous and haven't yet decided that I'm going to do it but the entry form has to go in by Monday. A couple of questions:
There is a clause in the info that says they will need proof of CAE - what is that? and can I bring along her pygmy friend just for company as it will be her first time too?
Thanks in advance.
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its caprine arthritis encephalitis the vets will test the whole herd by means of a blood test you will then get a certificate that will last a year each show will require a copy of the certificate.
is the goat section for pygmy's or is it a dairy goat show
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I was told one test every 6mnths for the first three tests then yearly after that
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i cant recall that but its been a long time since we started testing
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its caprine arthritis encephalitis the vets will test the whole herd by means of a blood test you will then get a certificate that will last a year each show will require a copy of the certificate.
is the goat section for pygmy's or is it a dairy goat show
Thanks I haven't even heard of that. That does it then, I think I'll have to do it next year and be a bit more organised in advance.
I called the showground about the milking goats / pygmy thing and they said I could enter in the any other variety if I wanted. I think these shows are quite happy to accept minority breeds as it adds to the attraction.
You don't seem to need any certification for sheep although you have to treat them for sheep scab a couple of weeks beforehand.
Thanks all.
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the sheep are classed as MV accredited and non MV depending on thier flock status seperate living areas and show rings for the 2 types
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yes thanks chickenfeed, we were also thinking of entering some in the non-MV which were beautiful before shearing but look a bit scruffy now so thinking again...
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Pygmies...a minority breed!?!!!!! Put in a search for goats for sale on google and all you can find is Pygmy goats! ;)
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Whole herd testing for CAE is an annual test. The 6mths etc is for a monitored herd which brings a whole host of restrictions with it....like buying in stock from a similar herd only.
90% of goat owners do the whole herd test.
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Jinglejoys - I gather that but no-one shows them in Kelso!
Wystend - thanks for that, what is the best time to do this test or does it matter?
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Normally do it just before kidding so that the mum's test result covers her kid(s) too for the year, so if something should go wrong at birth you don't need to get the kids done individually.
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thanks plums, I'll write that down in my book.
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I would say a lot of folks do it around March April to cover the show season........kids do not need to be done until 12 months old.
There is special rate negotiated by BGS for the blood samples to be sent to SAC for analysis.
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The funy thing is that CAE is mainly transmitted through the feeding of pooled milk to kids. This used to be done at shows, and therefore CAE can (and as far as I know actually did) spread like wildfire. As actual disease is not seen for a few years, and in-between new kids are born, infected etc etc the feeding of pooled milk is not allowed at shows anymore. The test (and therefore showing of only clear goats) is actually quite important.
I do mine just in February (or about 6 weeks prior to the first one kidding), and kids travel on "mum's passport" for the first year, then have to be done as goatlings. Until this year I have always brought the goats to the vets, who then only charge the fee for taking bloddsamples - we normally just take the goats out one at a time from the trailer in the car park, much to the amusement of any other visitors :) - but now I have too many and the vet comes here.
I cannot quite see where the CAE test for pygmies comes in, as they are actually not in the milking competition and kids are usually not bottled anyway...
If you would bring them along to BUAS you would be the star of the goat tent I bet! :thumbsup:
I will be there with most of my gang ..., come and say hello!
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Thanks Wystend and Anke. Will say hello Anke and I'll maybe corner someone in authority about bringing the pygmies next year and the CAE test. They are always a good talking point - they look like little devils, weird looking but great fun - they keep all our sheep in line and the border collie who they have no qualms in head butting and pinning her up against a tree. They're small but NOBODY messes...
We're supposed to be getting 2 bagots later this year too but I'm struggling to house them as we are having major (really major) re-landscaping done on a grand scale at the moment, but will try and get my head around a temporary house rather than lose them. We're having to house our pygmies in with our NRs and soays which isn't ideal as we have to feed them shut in their house because of the minerals / toxic problem to NRs and the pygmies will share their house with NO-ONE!
The bagots would be fun to bring too, it's just nice to let people see a variety of animals (not that pygmies or bagots could upstage a gorgeously groomed ginger of course!)
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Are your pygmy's registered with the British goat society?
Even if you enter the any other variety class, they need to be registered with them as Border Union is a British goat society recognised show. it can be done, I have seen Boer's shown in the kid any other variety class. As Anke says, you would be star of the show for the public to see.
Beth
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I'm a member of the Pygmy Goat Club but would have to check if that automatically makes me a member of the British Goat Soc (would think not?). I'll make a note of that now to check.
Am just going to hover this year and take notes so I don't look gormless next year.
Will say hello if your there ballingall :wave:
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Will be there- helpers are always welcome too! :wave:
There was a nice lady hovering at the royal highland too, but I never discovered who she was....
Beth
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so do the vets do the cae tests?? havent had mine doen before but think i need to....
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yes, they do :)
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so do the vets do the cae tests?? havent had mine doen before but think i need to....
They just take blood sample, mine sends it to SAC, don't know if they all do, find a form on the BGS website and fill that in in advance if you can, should save time and money.
I think any stud goat owner who cares about goats would have their males tested and would expect to see a CAE negative cert for the doe before letting her anywhere near him. So if you want to show, breed or just be sure the goats are healthy, then you should have them tested, must get my girls tested well before billy-time this year, billy was going travelling and we nearly missed him waiting for the certificate, all came together at the last minute. :relief: (yes, that was me last year ;D )
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All CAE bloods go to SAC. The forms to get the reduced lab fees is on BGS website. Results back in about 10 days.
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do you have to be a member of the bgs to get the form? am only a member of the local clubs...??
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do you have to be a member of the bgs to get the form? am only a member of the local clubs...??
I think yes.
I have so far not used the BGS forms (although am member of BGS), and if you only have a few goats the price difference is not really that much. If you can take the goat(s) to the surgery rather than vet coming out to you it will be a lot cheaper.
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do you have to be a member of the bgs to get the form? am only a member of the local clubs...??
scroll down on this page, (it is the BGS site) you want the forms for non monitored herd
it is a page open to anyone, showing fees etc.
http://www.allgoats.com/pricelist.htm (http://www.allgoats.com/pricelist.htm)