Post by Stacy on Apr 19, 2010 7:19:42 GMT -5
A few weeks back, I purchased two purebred nubian goats from a swap and sale kinda thing. I talked to the man, he said he shows goats. Turns out, he was being VERY modest. Another friend of mine went to the sale right after we were there and she knew the man. He's not only huge into showing his goats, he is also a judge at some of the shows.
Ok, so he knows his stuff, right? He only had two bucks and one doeling with him. I got the doeling and the buck. He told me they were 4 weeks old, had had colostrum and then after that, goats' milk, pasturized, from a bottle since birth.
I came home and of course, had to put them on replacer. I've been giving them a bottle three times a day and they seem to be growing beautifully.
My question is on bottle feeding is, how long do I continue to give three bottles a day?
When would I start a worming regimine with them?
We chose not to have the buck castrated. He was about to do it and I saw the little bucks' udder. He said the buck was actually from one of his best does. Since the doeling is from a doe he's culling, I figured I'd keep the buck intact to try for the best future babys possible (most milk is my goal?). Bucks' mother gives about two gallons a day, does' gives about 3/4 gallon a day.
I know I will have to separate them soon, which leaves me looking for a couple of wethers to keep them each company as these are the only two goats I have.
The man I purchased them from said he doesn't breed until their second fall. I'd like to know if that's the correct thing to do, or is that something that the folks that like to show their goats do? That would have us not getting any milk until spring of 2012 from her. If that's what it takes, that's fine. But I've also heard I could breed her as soon as this fall.
So many questions. ! I'm sure there'll be more to follow!
Ok, so he knows his stuff, right? He only had two bucks and one doeling with him. I got the doeling and the buck. He told me they were 4 weeks old, had had colostrum and then after that, goats' milk, pasturized, from a bottle since birth.
I came home and of course, had to put them on replacer. I've been giving them a bottle three times a day and they seem to be growing beautifully.
My question is on bottle feeding is, how long do I continue to give three bottles a day?
When would I start a worming regimine with them?
We chose not to have the buck castrated. He was about to do it and I saw the little bucks' udder. He said the buck was actually from one of his best does. Since the doeling is from a doe he's culling, I figured I'd keep the buck intact to try for the best future babys possible (most milk is my goal?). Bucks' mother gives about two gallons a day, does' gives about 3/4 gallon a day.
I know I will have to separate them soon, which leaves me looking for a couple of wethers to keep them each company as these are the only two goats I have.
The man I purchased them from said he doesn't breed until their second fall. I'd like to know if that's the correct thing to do, or is that something that the folks that like to show their goats do? That would have us not getting any milk until spring of 2012 from her. If that's what it takes, that's fine. But I've also heard I could breed her as soon as this fall.
So many questions. ! I'm sure there'll be more to follow!