To the OP: Great post. It's better to start small, test the waters, and expand later, whether that means simply adding more breeding stock or obtaining higher quality, specific breeds, etc. We started on Craigslist, with pretty much whatever we could find, and that worked for us. Knowing what I...
Well, ours came with their names, and since this coming season will be our first kidding season, we haven't had any new arrivals to name yet, so I don't know if we'll do themes or what. Anyway, our Saanens are as follows:
Prima Donna - She came with that registered name, we usually just shorten...
As a relatively new-ish goat owner currently experiencing a major, in my mind, disaster, I would like to know what people keep on hand as well. Like the OP, we will intervene with non-organic methods to save a goat's life, but would like to know what to do to prevent such issues from happening...
We're investigating still... frankly, it never occurred to any of us that she might have been with a buck before we got her, so it took some time to both have and accept the idea. One thing worth noting is that her spine is noticeably prominent, enough to make me believe that whatever it is...
Tail end of March. And she's not a doeling, we actually got her in milk, and she's been in milk, so I can't use udder development as a sign for pregnancy. That's why I'm concerned. If she is pregnant, then we need to dry her off ASAP. But I don't necessarily want to dry her off if we've just...
Okay... SO took the pictures, and I don't think it occurred to him to get her from the backside. We'll see what he comes up with... I'm working today and he's out at the farm, so hopefully he'll think to grab the camera and take more pictures for me. Sorry everyone, I don't mean to be a pain...
Well, I'm just looking for experienced goat owners, rather than enthusiasts and/or researchers who haven't yet been able to get goats. I've been the armchair goat owner myself, and I know how tempting it is to weigh in sometimes without having any actual experience.:hide
I'll try to get SO to do that, we'll see if he goes for it, or goes "Female parts? What the heck is she asking me to do?!" :ep
Anyway, I don't really think she's getting enough grain to go from downright bony, to fat, to getting fatter. Anyone know how much they can handle before they really...
Hi everyone! Okay, disclaimer: we are pretty new goat owners. I'm about to post you a pictures of Little Bit, a goat we rescued at the end of March. The goat we rescued her with was old, in really rough condition, and ultimately didn't make it. But this little girl has been really thriving...
I imagine they'd go for spinach, kale, chard, pretty much whatever you have extra that's bug bitten or is otherwise not pretty from your garden. You can use the pristine stuff, but the bunnies care less about appearances. ;) If in doubt, just find a patch long grass with clover and other...
Try giving her some greens... all of our rabbits go nuts for greens. Mess with the babies, move the nest box, they barely notice, because they're so busy stuffing their faces. :P
Hi all! I'm interested in finding people who breed New Zealand Reds and/or Blacks (solid and/or broken) somewhere close (ish) to me. We're looking to expand our meat rabbit herd, and I'm really interested in colors, so these seem like a perfect way to go. It might be nice to find some...
Some first time mamas are awesome right out of the gate; 12 is a beautiful number! The only thing I might suggest is a) not handling them too much until you know how she'll handle you messing with her nest, and b) still quickly checking them each day to pull out any kits that might have died. In...
I think it's safe to relax. If she wasn't taking care of them at all, you'd know by now. You'd be losing babies. I did lose a litter once that was nearly a week old, but it's hard to say whether the mom (not a newbie) stopped caring for them, or if they got too cold, etc. But it sounds like your...
She should know to feed them just fine on her own. You can check this by looking at the kits - they will have plump rounded tummies if they're being fed, and if they're not, you'll know pretty quickly. Rabbits aren't as maternal as other mammals, so she'll probably only feed them twice a day...
Thanks, Queen Mum! I appreciate it!
Posting that link has certainly been a learning experience for me. I think I will purchase from Garden Home Farm (http://www.gardenhomefarm.com), now that I've had some time to reflect. They sell beautiful Saanen dairy goats that are more affordable, and as...
DBF is partial to Saanans, and I like them too. But I also like the idea of having a colorful or varied small herd, plus, I'd also like to choose a breed known for slighly higher butterfat contents so I can make cheese, yogurt, butter, etc. The goal is to erase the dairy grocery bill, if...