First post as a goat owner-baby was born July 4th and Q's

[Mama2B&D&nowgoatstoo]

Here's the sweet little man! He's a Nigerian...Were still waiting on his "buddy" to be born--SO ancy to see what he will look like!

Couple of Questions...were planning on having them both made into wethers as pets but was curious on the whole 4-H aspect too...I know places probably vary but do they all have to be de-horned for showing? I kinda got that from a few post...our breeder doesnt de-horn...she liked the horns there for various reasons and we dont mind them either...im just trying to decide whats more important and figure things out in the meantime...going to be a long 8 wks till we can get the little stinker, but then again MORE time to learn and I NEED it!

 

[helmstead]

Very cute!

Yes, dairy goats must be hornless to be shown.

 

[Mama2B&D&nowgoatstoo]

Ok, thanks so much! and yes, we think so too...he reminds me of a little holstein lol

 

[Ariel301]

4-H requires ALL goats that are shown to be hornless--dairy, pet, meat, or pack/cart projects. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me since most meat and pack goat owners want horns on their animals, but I guess they're more worried about safety of the children involved.

 

[lilhill]

What a cute little guy! Congratulations!

 

[20kidsonhill]

our 4H doesn't require you to dehorn, we only have meat shows. or boer shows in our area.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Really cute- congrats!

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Very cute and congrats on becoming a goat owner (Fias Co Farms is a great resource in addition to this forum). We are just venturing down the 4H path and ours says that all goat must be dehorned as well (I have had two other goat people actually give me heck about dehorning my goats, said I was messing up what was natural-did I mention her hair was dyed some fun shade of orange-red )

We bought a Rhinehart 30 with a pygmy tip and a holding box but are having our vet show us how to do the first one but you could probably watch a few videos online to get a better feel for it. I know one of the other members has a video...let me go back and see if I can't find it again.

Also, and I am sure you probably already know, but boys horns grow in SUPER fast and needs to be burned much sooner than girls of there will be problems getting them to not grow.

Be right back if I can find that link

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Here is Goatmasta's link to his video I watched recently

http://goat-info.blogspot.com/

Best of luck!

 

[elevan]

Congratulations!