[mariegold]

Hello experienced goat keepers 
I have had a response to my request for goats on another website, including the offer of a 5 year old golden Guernsey goat with twin nanny kids and a 3 year old tog with twins (and horns). My question is, would this be too much for a newbee goat keeper to take on? (I have kept sheep, pigs, cows, hens etc in the past) And is 5 too old for a milking goat?
I have plenty of space for them for now but would probably sell on the kids (maybe keep one Guernsey kid). Was thinking of separating the kids at night and milking in the morning, then leaving them together for the day.
Any advice would be hugely appreciated. GULP! Thank you

[tattycat]

Hiya mariegold. Sounds like you've kept a varied amount of animals, including sheep which is a bonus!! Go and meet them nd see if you think you can get a good thing going with them. Most will do anything for food nd if they come from a good background go for it!! Goats drive me from despair to delirium, but I wouldn't be without them nd their health benefits,  the milk as well!!
Re 5 yrs old too old it all depends on how hard she's been kidded nd you're plans for her.....Depending on where you are I would be delighted to have on of the Golden Guernsey nannys....

[Anke]

If the GG has been looked after well, 5 is not old at all. I am currently awaiting my 7 year old GG's 5th kidding and she is looking well. So I wouldn't rule her out because of age, but you may want to have her checked over by an experienced goatkeeper - you want to make sure she is "up on her pasterns" both front and rear, her udder is not lumpy/too droopy/fully functioning both sides etc. Also teeth of course. Also you would need to make sure she is used to being hand-milked. If she never been milked before you may have a battle on your hands...

Your plan of separating at night, milking out in the morning and then having mum running with the kids sounds good, but how old are the kids? If the kids are this year's (and still really quite young) you may want to wait until they settle into your farm before separating them at night. Also when you collect them make sure you get a good amount of their current feed and preferably some hay from there too - so that their switch-over is painless.

Have both of them horns and do they come from the same farm? If they know each other and get on together all should be fine. Are the kids all female or if they are boys you would need to make sure they have been castrated and you know what to do with them once they are past the "cute" stage.

Are they BGS registered?

[mariegold]

That's brilliant! Thank you both for your replies. Some really good thoughts and important points to think about

I'm based in Gloucestershire if that's not too far for you tattycat?

Not sure about BGS registration. To be honest that's new to me! Do all goats need to be registered with them?
The kids are this years so I will follow your advice Anke. They do both have horns but from the picture it looks as though they are loose housed so guess that makes it a bit easier.

I'm trying not to get too excited as have already been let down once....

[shygirl]

the registration means they are pedigree and have papers. this might influence the future of any kids and your longterm plans etc.

[wytsend]

5 yrs  old is certainly not too old !!!!!   If they are in good condition....not thin or fat (tho that might be difficult with a goat !).....then go for it.

My oldest goat was 19 and insisted on kidding every year despite all attempts to stop her, she would sneak off to the boys where somebody would be helpful !!

[tattycat]

Ahh real shame. I'm Rep of Ireland, so a bit too far! lol I'm sure you'll have no problems re homing them though...
Nd Wytsend, my 4 year old rejected her 2nd lot of kids, then beat her daughter up nd stole one of hers last year, nd didn't take when went to billy but coming into milk again!! She's a nightmare to dry up nd makes milk from air!!