New goat parent

Lizjax

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Jul 18, 2016
Messages
46
Reaction score
12
Points
56
Location
Alabama
He's better today, relaxing more and becoming more curious about us. But I'm just worried lol its our first goat and I want him to be very comfortable with us.
 

MrsKuhn

Loving the herd life
Joined
May 2, 2016
Messages
418
Reaction score
293
Points
123
Location
California
welcome from California! :frow:frow

I know it is hard to do because we worry for the things we care about. But just know that he will warm up to you and be comfortable with you soon. He has to get used to you and realize you are not a threat you are a source of love and food.

Honestly, take a book and just go sit in the pin and just be there. you don't have to talk or touch, do your own thing.. just let him get used to you. in a few days maybe take some treats out ( when you know that the diarrhea is cleared up ) :welcome
 

Lizjax

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Jul 18, 2016
Messages
46
Reaction score
12
Points
56
Location
Alabama
Well, he's fine now lol! We got him a bag of medicated feed which is what he was eating before. He keeps coming up and licking our legs, I got a mineral block but haven't put it out yet because it's too heavy for me pick up. We're not sure why he does it, but it's made him like coming up to us plus it tickles lol so we're ok with it! Lol We're getting another goat on Sunday
 

Latestarter

Novice; "Practicing" Animal Husbandry
Golden Herd Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2014
Messages
11,384
Reaction score
17,481
Points
623
Location
NE Texas
Many on here would recommend AGAINST a mineral block for several reasons. #1, they can't get enough from licking it. #2, they can damage their teeth trying to bite the block. You really should get loose (granulated) minerals specifically formulated for goats (with copper). Many on here speak highly of Manna Pro and it's carried at TSC. I would assume he's licking your legs to get the salts and minerals off your skin.
 

Lizjax

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Jul 18, 2016
Messages
46
Reaction score
12
Points
56
Location
Alabama
Yeah that what we assumed also. I told my husband we needed a mineral block. He likes the block so far, it crumbles easily. We're in a serious learning phase here lol so ALL advise is appreciated! He has started headbutting the dogs and cats but not us, we need some advise on breaking that behavior. Our vet recommend wethering him at a year old.
 

Lizjax

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Jul 18, 2016
Messages
46
Reaction score
12
Points
56
Location
Alabama
Our local feed store here in North Alabama is fantastic but they don't carry as many products as TSC BUT I hate our local Tractor Supply. Their staff is horrible. They were out of most of their goat supplies.
 

Latestarter

Novice; "Practicing" Animal Husbandry
Golden Herd Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2014
Messages
11,384
Reaction score
17,481
Points
623
Location
NE Texas
Ummmm... I'm not a vet (and still don't have my own goats), but waiting till he's a year? not so much... I think most have it done at around 4-6 weeks some later, but normally no earlier than 3 weeks and most no later than 4 months. Once the testes have fully dropped into the scrotum. Basically male goats are born with the testes pretty much in the sac, or very close. Of course there are some who wait longer, but that doesn't seem to be the majority. The older the goat is when it's done, the more traumatic and painful and the more chance of complications. Additionally, at an older age it's "more better" to have it done by a pro or vet. Male goats can become "fully functional" at 8 weeks and if there's a doe around, they will attempt to mate it.

https://fiascofarm.com/goats/buck-wether-info.htm http://4h.ansci.cornell.edu/files/2015/01/factdg10-1mxar5o.pdf
http://www.justanswer.com/large-animal-vet/3m4vr-age-best-band-castrate-boer-goat.html

Head butting is normal, but as he gets older and bigger/more powerful it becomes more of an issue. Especially if he has his horns.

Sorry you don't have a good TSC... I buy all my feed from a feed store (cheaper, fresher), not TSC. But for virtually anything else farm related, TSC is one of my "go to" places. Mine will match pricing as well. Have you considered writing a nice long letter of explanation to corporate? Most businesses today are very public opinion conscious and really go out of their way to build (and maintain) a good rep.It simply doesn't pay to have ticked off (non)customers.

Man... you were up and at em' early! :)
 

Lizjax

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Jul 18, 2016
Messages
46
Reaction score
12
Points
56
Location
Alabama
Lol i was my husband had to get up for work at 4:30, and I couldn't go back to sleep. Eh not really, I'm not sure complaining is really going to help much.
 

Southern by choice

Herd Master
Joined
Jun 11, 2012
Messages
13,336
Reaction score
14,682
Points
613
Location
North Carolina
You should still run a fecal on him.
Weaning, move, age all contribute to a stress bloom.
A kid can drop dead of cocci and never show diarrhea. Parasites would be a little less likely at his age but it can happen.

Recently had a call from a woman whose 3 month old had 2100 EPG count and she stopped counting after 200 cocci oocysts. I have No idea how the goat wasn't already dead. The goat was just recently weaned and moved in with her big bucks. Stress bloom exploded I guess.

Anyway, this is very important. I cannot stress this enough, as it could prevent a nightmare experience for you.

In our goat classes before anyone takes a goat home we run the fecal and tell them what we see, and they are expected to run another (by their vet, their lab, or if they are close by we will repeat) in 7 days.
All goats have some sort of bloom, young or old.
 

babsbag

Herd Master
Joined
May 10, 2010
Messages
7,886
Reaction score
9,317
Points
593
Location
Anderson, CA
My friend with pack goats never wethers before a year; sometimes later.
 
Top