Baby Nigerian goats! :-)

Latestarter

Novice; "Practicing" Animal Husbandry
Golden Herd Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2014
Messages
11,384
Reaction score
17,481
Points
623
Location
NE Texas
Just noticed that water bucket behind you in the picture... Be careful as many have found drowned babies in them. The littles are inquisitive and if they go in head first, can't get out. <---consider it like someone saying all kids on bicycles should wear helmets. just being cautious. I never did as a kid (centuries ago) and still don't when I ride my Harley... :hu I must be the possessor of Dumb luck?:thumbsup
 

sadieml

True BYH Addict
Joined
Oct 14, 2015
Messages
538
Reaction score
780
Points
273
Location
Blythewood, SC USA
When I was a kid we got a duckling for Easter one year. We 5 kids very cleverly(we thought);) named him Quack Quack. My Nannie, out here on the family farm, took him in when he got bigger, and he grew into a very handsome white Pekin duck. After a year or 2 a neighbor gave my Nannie Lady Duck and she and Quack Quack set up housekeeping. Late spring saw a clutch of ducky eggs and half a dozen fuzzy little babies. At around 8 or 10 days of age these beautiful babies DROWNED in an old toilet in the barnyard. Ducks, mind you. My Nannie, a seasoned farmer, cried heartily, filled that toity with dirt, planted petunias in it and proclaimed no more duck babies could ever die there. Soon after, a fox or a bobcat killed Lady Duck, there were no more babies, and Quack Quack lived to the ripe old age of 12 or so as a widower. He never seemed to want another lady companion to be honest, and was very sweet. He would follow Nannie around the yard like a puppy, feeding chickens, hoeing the garden, where he would kindly remove those pesky bugs, anything to help. Nannie also cried when Quack Quack died, called Daddy so we could all go "up the country" and bury him, and then put petunias on his grave. This is my way of saying, always be careful with any baby and water. You won't believe who can drown in very little H2O.
 
Last edited:

totesmcgoats

Overrun with beasties
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
31
Reaction score
55
Points
79
Location
Cincinnati
Thanks everyone for the advice! I was concerned about barn fires, and I like these tips! I just went out to check on them and I noticed that the dam has some blood on her tail and a little near her vagina. I can't find any blood anywhere in the pen. Is it normal to have post-partem bleeding? Also any tips on milking a Nigerian? The teats are soooo small! I think one side might need a little help but I can't seem to get anything out. Thanks all!!!!
 

frustratedearthmother

Herd Master
Joined
May 7, 2013
Messages
7,972
Reaction score
14,369
Points
623
Definitely normal to have a discharge after giving birth. You might even notice that it stops for awhile and then starts back with a vengeance in a couple of weeks. As long as her appetite is good and she doesn't run a temp, it's fine. If you notice in any way that she seems "off" just take her temp.
 

sadieml

True BYH Addict
Joined
Oct 14, 2015
Messages
538
Reaction score
780
Points
273
Location
Blythewood, SC USA
Yeah, totally normal to have discharge. She just gave birth!:p Try to clean her up a bit every couple of days to avoid maggots or anything. Sounds gross, but it can happen.:ep Just a wet rag (warm would feel nice, I'm SURE). As for milking, I'm sure others can be much more help, but if she's nursing on demand then she won't have a lot of output at first. Very small amounts throughout the day are how demand works. That's why a lot of folks milk by hand and give the babies bottles after 1 or 2 weeks, tops. I'm thinking of bottle feeding all of our young after a week or so with mom. Don't know, yet, and since we don't even have does, yet, we have plenty of time to decide.:hu
 

totesmcgoats

Overrun with beasties
Joined
Sep 25, 2015
Messages
31
Reaction score
55
Points
79
Location
Cincinnati
Any suggestions on what to do about water for the rest of the herd while keeping the babies safe? Maybe a low, shallow pan?
 
Last edited:

OneFineAcre

Herd Master
Joined
Dec 28, 2012
Messages
9,139
Reaction score
10,265
Points
633
Location
Zebulon, NC
Hang buckets off of the ground.


IMG_1218.jpg


IMG_1208.jpg



The best way to milk a Nigerian.

IMG_1532.jpg
 

Ferguson K

Herd Master
Joined
Aug 3, 2015
Messages
2,577
Reaction score
4,762
Points
353
Location
Texas
As always, great advice! Tube socks old and worn work great for small kids, too. Cut holes out for head and legs.... Voila goat blanket! We use them on the pot belly pigs when. they get cold.
 

Goat Whisperer

Herd Master
Joined
Dec 19, 2013
Messages
4,832
Reaction score
6,567
Points
463
Location
North Carolina
Thanks everyone for the advice! I was concerned about barn fires, and I like these tips! I just went out to check on them and I noticed that the dam has some blood on her tail and a little near her vagina. I can't find any blood anywhere in the pen. Is it normal to have post-partem bleeding? Also any tips on milking a Nigerian? The teats are soooo small! I think one side might need a little help but I can't seem to get anything out. Thanks all!!!!
Like the others said, the blood is normal :)

I hand milk my does, it can be hard to milk at first but you will get the hang of it. You say you cant get anything out, is that because you can't grab the teat or does the teat have a "plug"?
I always wash the udder with a soap/bleach/water mixture. When I am done milking I spray them with fight bac teat spray.

You might want to edit your thread title, this is no longer an emergency :) Now you get to sit back and enjoy the kids! :woot
 

Latest posts

Top