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Hi all! I have a doe with a situation. Just above her hind hooves, the skin is crusty and flaky and very raised. I noticed it a few weeks back but wasn't overly concerned... it looked a lot like what I used to see on the front of my horse's cannons in the spring when dirt particles would get...

I have a random thought/idea/question I was hoping for some opinions on. The past week of milking outdoors in single digits temperatures has made it hard to use anything water-based on my does' udders for cleaning before milking. Maybe I'm being overly sensitive. Or maybe there are tricks I...

Hey guys! Questions for ya'll. I've been feeding my goats Blue Seal Hay Stretcher as a supplemental snack (and for things like please-god-stand-while-I-trim-your-hooves) for years now. Goat friends seemed to agree it was an appropriate addition and my goats LOVE it. I JUST noticed, however...

This might be FAR too idealistic for goats so all input appreciated... I have two NDGs and they're very dog-like, hanging out and 'hiking' with us off leash in the afternoons. They currently have a nice, secure wire pen but I'd love to fence in chunks of our brushy woods to use throughout the...

Thank you for the input! That's totally the sort of system I'm prone to incorporating so.. the affirmation is appreciated.

Hello all- I have a novice question that probably has all the old goat hands out there rolling their eyes. But... how to best deal with manure and hay waste?! I know composting is the obvious answer and a perfect complement to my garden, but I'd love advice on what kind of system to follow...

Thank you for the advice! I agree that the possibilities of the unexpected are definitely important to be prepared for. I have a local vet who I believe is willing to be on call, but I plan to double check with him shortly. I definite'y want the assurance of some experienced back-up for our...

Hello all- Our NDG is pregnant and due in late April.. second time for her, and first time for us! We're obviously a little nervous, but mostly excited. She had one kid her first time around and reportedly had a very easy birth. So my question... If you had to give ONE bit of advice or a...

I just built this little thing yesterday and used it for the first time this morning! It's... petite, but I used materials from around the house so it'll have to do for now.

Hello! I have a milking stand training question: How do you get a goat used to/comfortable with the idea that she is, in fact, restrained? ...By her neck. I'm just starting milking stand Stuff and Honeycomb isn't very into the stanchion, especially when her feed gets low. Do you just lock it...

Hi all, I have a very very picky little doe. She doesn't like grain much, plain or with molasses, and can't be tempted with carrots apples, etc. We're just beginning milking stand work (we're both new to it ALL) and so far, the only treat she's happy with is hay stretcher. My question is...

Amateur question that might be answered somewhere in this thread: HOW often should you trim a goat's hooves?

Thank you! I will keep working on it. I did allow baby to join us, however he is QUITE the energetic and adventurous little man and doesn't bother sticking close by, which I'm sure stresses Honey out more. Hay stretcher and my clicker were the only thing that kept her from really losing it, but...

Does anyone have DIY plans for a milking stand for NDGs? It's about time for me to start THAT whole training adventure and I don't think I want to try it without the proper equipment. I'd appreciate any photos or plans- thanks!

How did you familiarize your goat with journeys away from home? I always heard about what escape artists they are and their fabulous (stubborn) free spirits, but my new doe gets extremely nervous if walk her out of her pen on a leash. She's brand new to us, only a year old, and has a 6 week...

I'm new to ALL things goats and wasn't expecting the mother/son pair I just acquired, so I'm learning as I go. ANY and all advice or critiquing of my goat's diet is completely welcome... I'm in the process of trying to learn just how and what to feed. I'm in southern Maine, zone 5b. Our doe...

Being a new goat mom with NO RULES (yet...) I made friends with our shy little guy by "training" him to head butt a thick rubber dog toy on a rope. He absolutely LOVES the game now and throws all sorts of bucks and twists and rears of excitement when I dangle it in front of him. Although I...

Thank you all for the warm welcomes, and extra thanks madcow for the excellent advice. You make it all seem very manageable which is just what I need to reassure myself of! Mother and baby and both Nigerian Dwarf Goats. From what I've read, it sounds like they're lovely milkers, on the very...

Hi all- I'm new here at backyardherds with a pair of accidental goats -I found them as strays, housed them for four days while we sought out the owners, returned them (sadly...), and then we were gifted them back (HOORAY!). It was quite the saga. Anyway. It's a mother and her (currently) 6...