Help!! New goat mommy in CT.

[Dogma]

@Dogma I agree that Nutmeg looks like a spring 2015 girl, not 2 years old. You can weigh them with a bathroom scale, but do so holding them. You know, weigh yourself, then weigh holding them and subtract the difference. That's how I do it, too. I'll weigh our boys tomorrow. We haven't done that in ages.

That worries me!!!

 

[sadieml]

Don't worry too much. Even if she is much younger, she'll be nearly a year before she kids, and like someone else already said, they are very resilient! I'm sure she'll be fine, and you'll be there with her, so don't go worrying about something that's still MONTHS away and likely not to be a problem anyway. They say it's fine to breed them as long as they're 3/4 their adult size, and since the breeder was going for SMALLER than average, I'd say she's probably right in the ball park (though maybe still in the dugout!).

 

[Dogma]

Don't worry too much. Even if she is much younger, she'll be nearly a year before she kids, and like someone else already said, they are very resilient! I'm sure she'll be fine, and you'll be there with her, so don't go worrying about something that's still MONTHS away and likely not to be a problem anyway. They say it's fine to breed them as long as they're 3/4 their adult size, and since the breeder was going for SMALLER than average, I'd say she's probably right in the ball park (though maybe still in the dugout!).

Thank you for setting my mind at ease!!!

 

[OneFineAcre]

We always use 40lbs as the benchmark weight for breeding.
So, like @sadieml said, if the breeder was going for smaller animals maybe 33 is like 40
I wouldn't worry about it either.

 

[Dogma]

Hello friends.
It's been one week today and I'm so in love with these goats. Today we put up a temporary outside fence to limit their area as they are still getting familiar with us. It's a rocky hillside behind the barn with some flat areas and lots to climb on and entertain themselves during the day. At night they are closed in the barn. I have a few questions?? First, nutmeg the little one (supposedly 1-2) has been nursing on Ginger!! Is this ok?! Any suggestions?! Will ginger not allow this once her babies need the milk?! When do they normally start producing milk?! is she on schedule for March?! Also, will goats hit their heads against glass doors? The addition to the barn they are currently in has sliding glass doors... We have put wood in front of... Don't want them hurt. But it's cozy and lots of natural light. thank you again for all of the help. They go to the vet in 2 weeks for their first check up

 

[OneFineAcre]

They probably don't see the glass and are trying to just walk out
They would probably figure it out after a while
I don't remember you saying that Ginger was Nutmegs mom
I thought she looked young
How much is she nursing her?
You need to make sure it stops at least within the next month
A doe should be dried off 2 months before kidding at least

 

[Dogma]

They probably don't see the glass and are trying to just walk out
They would probably figure it out after a while
I don't remember you saying that Ginger was Nutmegs mom
I thought she looked young
How much is she nursing her?
You need to make sure it stops at least within the next month
A doe should be dried off 2 months before kidding at least

That's what the breeder said.. Ginger is nutmegs mom and she's 1-2. But now that I see her nursing I assume she is much younger. I've seen her nurse 2-3 times. Am I going to have to separate them?!

 

[Dogma]

 

[Dogma]

 

[Latestarter]

That backyard is a goat playground! LOVE the rock for them to climb on! That will help them to keep their hooves worn down so hopefully you won't need to trim them so much... SWEET!