chanceosunshine
Overrun with beasties
- Joined
- Jul 26, 2020
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- 66
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(Below are my original questions)
I had contacted a breeder to see if she may have doelings available mid-winter. She had some available now, but sadly, the barn and pasture aren't ready yet. She made mention that she would have does in milk with their doelings available in the spring. This is intriguing to me. My original plan was to get two little doelings and spend time bonding and raising them, then getting a buck and whether when it was time to breed them. So I'm wondering what the pros and cons would be between the two plans: A. Two doelings and B. A doe in milk and her doeling.
Clearly a pro with the doe in milk is that I would have milk sooner. But what are the other things to consider? I have absolutely zero experience with goats. I'm just looking for guidance.
My other "new" question is that I'm reading of people feeding alfalfa pellets and orchard grass pellets, etc...feeding them those types of pellets doesn't negate their need for hay, right? They need the hay for the stomachs, right? I'm assuming that those specific pellets are in addition to the regular goat pellets, yes?
My understanding is that they need free choice minerals, baking soda and hay, and that does and growing kids need grain as well, and I've seen that kids *can* get kid starter pellets but I'm not seeing those used (nearly) universally. Anything I'm missing?
Oh, and lastly, when dealing with parasites, do you just do a regular deworming protocol with what is available at the feed store or do you allow your vet to take care of that? And when you deworm your does, do you use the milk or do you wait on it to run through their system before using it for human consumption?
Thanks!
1. I've read the long list of toxic plants that could make goats sick or could kill them. I'm curious as to the likelihood of the goats eating them if other safe plants are available when they are out on pasture? My main concern is that we have black locust trees and they pop up all over the place. We also have one large black locust tree where they would be confined that I'm worried about. How extreme do you need to be regarding the toxic plants?
2. What are your options for leaving goats for a couple days at a time? AND, how reasonable is it to take them with you in a large airline carrier if they have housing available at your destination (NOT considering taking pregnant does or does in milk for a drive, only kids up until they are pg)?
3. I'm curious how many breeders set out to kid in the fall? I'm hoping to find quality registered doelings in heart of winter and wondering what my chances are.
4. Pros and cons of pasturing with chickens. I've read articles about the risks and about the benefits, but I want to know the pros and cons and experiences of real people. I'm really wanting to allow this to happen because it would allow the goats access to the "most fun" area of our property, is perfectly located where we intend to make them a stable in the barn, would provide them with grass to explore as well as woods to browse.
Thanks!
I had contacted a breeder to see if she may have doelings available mid-winter. She had some available now, but sadly, the barn and pasture aren't ready yet. She made mention that she would have does in milk with their doelings available in the spring. This is intriguing to me. My original plan was to get two little doelings and spend time bonding and raising them, then getting a buck and whether when it was time to breed them. So I'm wondering what the pros and cons would be between the two plans: A. Two doelings and B. A doe in milk and her doeling.
Clearly a pro with the doe in milk is that I would have milk sooner. But what are the other things to consider? I have absolutely zero experience with goats. I'm just looking for guidance.
My other "new" question is that I'm reading of people feeding alfalfa pellets and orchard grass pellets, etc...feeding them those types of pellets doesn't negate their need for hay, right? They need the hay for the stomachs, right? I'm assuming that those specific pellets are in addition to the regular goat pellets, yes?
My understanding is that they need free choice minerals, baking soda and hay, and that does and growing kids need grain as well, and I've seen that kids *can* get kid starter pellets but I'm not seeing those used (nearly) universally. Anything I'm missing?
Oh, and lastly, when dealing with parasites, do you just do a regular deworming protocol with what is available at the feed store or do you allow your vet to take care of that? And when you deworm your does, do you use the milk or do you wait on it to run through their system before using it for human consumption?
Thanks!
1. I've read the long list of toxic plants that could make goats sick or could kill them. I'm curious as to the likelihood of the goats eating them if other safe plants are available when they are out on pasture? My main concern is that we have black locust trees and they pop up all over the place. We also have one large black locust tree where they would be confined that I'm worried about. How extreme do you need to be regarding the toxic plants?
2. What are your options for leaving goats for a couple days at a time? AND, how reasonable is it to take them with you in a large airline carrier if they have housing available at your destination (NOT considering taking pregnant does or does in milk for a drive, only kids up until they are pg)?
3. I'm curious how many breeders set out to kid in the fall? I'm hoping to find quality registered doelings in heart of winter and wondering what my chances are.
4. Pros and cons of pasturing with chickens. I've read articles about the risks and about the benefits, but I want to know the pros and cons and experiences of real people. I'm really wanting to allow this to happen because it would allow the goats access to the "most fun" area of our property, is perfectly located where we intend to make them a stable in the barn, would provide them with grass to explore as well as woods to browse.
Thanks!
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