HELP!!! Im about to pick up my first baby goat, what do I do???!!!

[wannabefarmer]

Im panicking...I found a lady on CL GIVING AWAY a 2 day baby goat. I couldnt turn it down....I have 3 chickens 2 cats and a dog but I dont know the first thing ab goats. Its a kinder/nigerian dwarf mix. I need All info. How big will it get? Will it make alot of noise? Will it eat my garden? Hurt my other animals? please help BYH experts!!!

 

[glenolam]

First of all,

You're about to embark on (almost!) the greatest journey of your life

Prolly an obvious question, but why is she giving it away? Is there anything wrong with the kid?

If the baby is 2 days old, you'll want to make sure the kid has gotten some colostrum since birth - this is essential.

Next, you'll need a big supply of goat's milk so you can bottle feed the baby. If you don't have anyone that has goat's milk near by then whole cows milk from the store is what others recommend.

I've never bottle fed a kid, but many on here have. Search this forum for bottle feeding kid goats under the birthing, weaning and raising young goats and you'll see the threads other people have started.

The kid will definitely need a friend - goats do better in pairs, not as singles, so I'd plan on finding a friend soon. Is the kid a boy or a girl? If it's a boy, you'll want to find someone who can wether him (neuter him) for you when the time is right - some wether at 8 weeks, some 12 and some sooner and some later.

In the next coming weeks you'll need to find a place for it to live outside with its friend that you're going to get (right? ) It'll need housing of some sort and a pen with toys to play in. You'll also want to get the kid on a coccidia treatment and get it its CD&T vaccination. If you have any vets in your area that specialize in large animals now's the time to make them your friend! In a few weeks you'll also have to introduce small amounts of grain and hay free choice (meaning, hay should be around for the goat to eat 24/7).

Kinder/Nigerian Dwarfs won't get too big - their among the smaller breeds and probably get as big as a medium sized dog.

ETA: Yes, it will make noise - especially if you don't get a friend and yes it will definitely eat your garden!

Post pictures, start with questions - we're here and GOOD LUCK!

 

[lilhill]

If the kid has been nursing, then you are going to have a battle on your hands trying to switch she over to a bottle. And if you don't want the kid to die, then you will have to win the battle. It will entail alot of work on your part and dedication. With no prior experience with goats, my recommendation is to not get this baby. May not be what you'd like to hear, and I'm sorry, but doesn't sound as though you are ready for this. If you want goats, then after lots of research, start with older kids or adults and build from there. JMHO.

 

[Dreaming Of Goats]

Search "Need help with an age and much more..." and it has just about everything you need! Post pics!

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Switching from dam nursing to bottle feeding at 2 days should not be hard at all. I switched 2 babies from dam raised to bottles after 3 weeks. THAT was a tad difficult.

 

[PJisaMom]

Did you get your goat? How is it going? What do you need help with right away? Update?

 

[nifftiness]

Im new to goats also, but have switched two young goats to bottle babys. Both times I used whole cows milk from the store. Neither would take to the lamb nipples. But I found they both took to the playtex advance nipples (baby bottles i got from superstore) . I just cut a small X in the end of the nipple. And the bottle needs to be very warm. I had also read to shade their eyes when trying to give them a bottle because when their feeding from their mom their under her tummy so its darker. And I found that helped. And also keep the bottle tiped up slightly so their head is tipped up a little. And then just a little time, good luck. I think its often easier then people sometimes make it out, you just need some patience and try a couple times without giving up. :O)

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

Please inform yourself before you make this committment...very rewarding!! Great animals...but you are making a BIG committment...must be home to tend to them daily and forget about wknd getaways....Goats have specific needs in feed and depending on what your using them for...its important to understand this...Bottle feeding and weining was never a problem for us...but like anything...its all what your willing to be into it....ITS A COMMITTMENT...so if your not willing dont do it....theres alot of info on it...educate yourself a bit before you jump into it....Good luck!!!!