Rescued Goat Advice

[Bordelinski]

I am a complete newbie with goats. I should have never taken this one home but my heart couldn't leave it in the deplorable conditions that I found it. LINK to pictures of her. I already have plans to take her to the vet but we have to wait until Hubby's next paycheck. But I'm wondering if there is anything I can do for her now? Her leg appears to have been broken and never set to heal properly. She is very scrawny, I can feel her back bones and everything!

We have set her up in a pen next to my chicken run. Given her an oversized dog house with bedding and bought some goat pellets from TS. Do I also need to give her hay? There is not much "grazing" available in her pen. And oh man, hoof trimming? I doubt they ever did it but I'm afraid of messing something up. Advice, links to more info, anything else is appreciated!

FYI: They said she is a Nigerian Dwarf and 2-3 years old. I have checked out several books from the library about goats and read through everything I could find using Google, lol, but I still can't tell if this is accurate.

 

[Mike CHS]

There are some really good videos on youtube. FiasCo Farms also has some goof articles that will come up easily in a search.

 

[Southern by choice]

She looks like she has mites also.
She needs hay. Lots of hay to eat.
While you are waiting.... de-worm her treat for mites. Careful on the goat feed as it could be too much for her system right now. No more than 1/2 cup to start but get that hay into her.

Good luck.

 

[Bordelinski]

Thank you for your replies! I have a list of vids to watch. I dunno why I didn't think to search them.

As for dewormer/mites: is that something that can be bought at TS? What am I looking for? Also, should I brush her or wash the dried ick out of her coat? I dunno if goats get chilled or whatnot...

 

[elevan]

Lice and mites: http://www.backyardherds.com/resources/dealing-with-lice-on-goats-sheep.6/

De-worming / Quarantine Drench: --use more than one dewormer class, one of which should be cydectin and the other probably levamisole (Prohibit)


Other reading for goats:
http://www.backyardherds.com/resources/categories/goats.2/

 

[taylorm17]

All of the above is good info. She will definitely need lots of ay. As Southern said make sure to ease her into the grain/feed because it may to much if she has a very week system. Also like everyone else said definitely treat for worms and mice! I am so glad to hear you took her even with no experience! I am glad you could find the room in your heart to care for her! I'm sure she loves you for it! I am also not sure if you should brush her or anything yet. It might hurt her skin. Have others answer though.

 

[SheepGirl]

Hooves look fine IMO, she just looks malnourished. Just focus on getting her weight up. It will take about a month for her to gain 1/2 to 1 body condition point, depending on what you're feeding her.

 

[Bordelinski]

Having all this great input is making me feel like we really made a good decision taking in Marina. (My 5 year old named her!)
I am off to the races once again with new things to read. I am using my kids' old wheelbarrow as a place to keep the hay. I've set up an auto-waterer and am giving her a handful of pellets in the morning and in the evening. Still researching dewormer/mite info. I found our TS supply has a Manna Pro Goat Dewormer, ideas on if this is sufficient?
Despite the way she was treated, she's still really friendly. The kids like petting her and feeding her weeds from the neighbors yard. (They are currently out of town.)

 

[taylorm17]

haha. I am glad she is friendly! I will keep watching this post and hopefully you'll keep us updated on her. One other thing I thought of is minerals. I remembered this when sheepgirl said malnutrition. I am guessing she probably didn't have any minerals where she was (that could also be part of the reason why her coat isn't in the best condition). For a goat it must be specifically for goats, cattle, or horses. Preferably goats. I am not sure what brand mine is, but it is literally called Goat Minerals. I think we got it from TSC. you can get free choice or a block.

 

[Bordelinski]

OK, I have minerals available to her, free choice. I've got goat dewormer and lice powder but have to wait until tomorrow for those, when Hubby can be home and help watch the kids while I work with Marina. Would it hurt to do both things on the same day?

My mom mentioned that the son of one of our church members used to show goats for 4H. We are gonna ask them to stop by after church and have a look at the goat and maybe get recommendations for a vet. My dogs' vet doesn't see livestock.