[CaroleBulmer]

 :wave:Well I have finally gone and done it.  I have purchased with my OH two young nanny kids - March born.  They are X's but adorable.  I wish I had done it before!! Having kept sheep, pigs, poulty and horses most of my life this is the first time we have thought we would like to try something new.  Hopefully I will be able to get loads of advice from you guys on here reference breeding, milking etc

[jinglejoys]

You started with kids!Boy are you in fot a high learning curve!

[goosepimple]

JingleJoys is right - they are high maintenance, expect school fees and designer gear in there Carole!
 
Have fun - there's lots of great advice on here, and we all like pics!!!!

[sokel]

Good luck with your new goats.
kids are great fun but can be so naughty lol
If you are new to goats and never milked before I would try to find someone local who has milkers and ask if they could show you how to milk.
A complete novice at milking and a new milker thats never been milked before could well = lots of tipped buckets 

[jaykay]

Lots of advice when you need it - in return for photos 

I started with a mum and two 6 week old kids. No problem  They are delightful and definitely on the dog end of the spectrum between sheep and dogs. I love mine to bits and recently having to think about serious downsizing, my two would be essentials, as much as my dogs and cats.

Where do you live? Is there an active goat society nearby? Are any of us nearby? Cumbria/N Yorks border here.

[sokel]

Didn't think of that but if your anywhere near northumberland/cumbria/Co Durham border your more than welcome to pop in

[jaykay]

I checked - Somerset. But still welcome, though I suspect there may be folk closer 

[Shropshirelass]

Yes picture please but 1 very big tip do not put them in fields with hedges as they will just disappear even with wire in between the hedges just have a paddock with a nice shelter & good wooden fencing & also the Billies stink & can taint the milk if you are going to breed x

[jaykay]

I've just come back from taking Ellie to the billy. He was certainly very handsome. But smelly! Plus I gathered he'd been pushing his owner about recently - bad boy  I would love to keep one - but I'll keep thinking about it for a while, while there are ones to visit within an hour's drive.

[jinglejoys]

My billies wouldn't DARE push me around!

[jaykay]

I don't think this one will again, from the sound of it!

[sokel]

In 2011 we had. 5 goats ans said we would stick with that number
april that year cherrys 2 daughters where born and stayed.  We still said we would never keep a billy we now have 10 girls and william the billy lol

[colliewoman]

I'm in Somerset!
If you want to chat goat stuff give us a yell

[CaroleBulmer]

  Thank you all I have milked goats and cows previously so am prepared for the problems that I will encounter and yes we have nearly lost them once already!! They are now in a large shed with plenty of feed and cuddled a minimum of twice a day - they now eat out of my hand and come to the bucket so getting quieter by the day.

[Anke]

It a very bad year for clostridial diseases and also pasteurella. If your kids have had the inital double dose of Lambivac it may be wise to booster them again, as goats need a 6 monthly booster rather than the annual one for sheep. I would also consider vaccinating separately with Ovipast to protect them against (most) strains of pasteurella.
I recently lost a kid to enterotoxaemia, even though he had been properly lambivac-ed in early summer. I have now re-boostered all my remaining kids, and have just ordered Ovipast too.