Help!! New goat mommy in CT.

[OneFineAcre]

She may be a year old
Could be a baby from last fall
I've had some that will let them nurse when older
Goat mamas love their babies and babies love their mamas
I don't think I would separate yet could stress them both

 

[OneFineAcre]

The Rock is cool
They will love that

 

[Southern by choice]

We have had goats milk straight through and kid that never got dried off... they have precocious udders and are simply milk machines. The concern is more that the young doe will nurse and take the colostrum when the doe starts to produce it(right before kidding time). Most does will kick a kid off when they feel they need to.

My friends doe lets her kids milk forever... then the doe will have none of it right before kidding... she then nurses her kids and after so many weeks will let the previous years kid back on. It is kinda crazy!

I would just watch her and see how things progress.
For many of us that milk our goats 10 months out of the year there are those does that just won't dry off and take a long time so we don't always get a 2 month dry period. No issues.

As far as the windows- we had a shelter with a window that was down low- goats broke it. It was more of an accident and fortunately no injuries. Thick sliding glass door with little Nigies that have no horns shouldn't be an issue.

Just make sure you have airflow and plenty of ventilation... if it is all enclosed you may be inviting respiratory issues. You don't want real extreme temps from outside to inside... If the porched in area heats up with the windows and there is significant temp differences then open those windows!

 

[sadieml]

I agree with OFA about separating them, I wouldn't if I were you. Goats are one of few animals that do not forget their young. Even after long separations, apparently they still remember one another. I have read that cats and dogs have "scent memory", but can't quite make the parent/child connection after a time, but for goats, not so, they remember.

As far as the nursing thing, I overlapped breast-feeding my 2 older babies, and oddly enough produced milk and colostrum simultaneously. How's that for strange? I guess my body knew what was needed and provided for both. I feel sure that mom will nix the nursing to see to it that the new ones get their colostrum.

 

[babsbag]

I had a doe nurse her yearling right on through the birth of the new ones. I didn't think about the colostrum and didn't separate them until AFTER the kids were born; actually did that twice. It is pretty fun to watch mom nursing a doe almost her size and babies. Now I would separate them about a month before the due date.

It is true that they seem to remember their offspring forever.

 

[Dogma]

 

[Latestarter]

Maaaaaaaaa!!!! What's that you're pointing at me!?!?!

 

[Dogma]

We are having amazing weather here in CT. I have a few more questions for my goat family/friends!!! One is "people" food...yay or nay?! And if its a good idea... What are good choices?!
Second.. Ginger is pushing Nutmeg out of the grain lately and Nutmeg respects her and just goes to the hay... The are both pregnant... I feed good second cutting orchard/Timothy and 1/2 cup of Noble goat twice daily. Thanks for all the help!!!

 

[sadieml]

@Dogma Why don't you try giving them their grain on the stanchion? It'll let them get used to spending some time there twice a day, keep them from haggling over the grain, and give you an opportunity to comb them and get them used to you touching them all over (like to milk them). For later you'll be able to trim hooves there give medicine if need be, shots, you name it. It's a nice controlled area, and they need to be comfortable there. Also, it will save you lots of headaches, now and later.

 

[animalmom]

I think @sadieml's idea of feeding the girls their grain on the milking stand is good, for all the reasons she listed. It will save you a lot of frustration when you go to milk if you get the girls use to having their udders handled now.

Regarding people food for goaties; mine love their raisins and others I know swear by animal crackers and then again I've read some who swear by vanilla wafers. Now obviously you are not going to let the girls scarf down as much as they want. My girls get a few raisins after they are milked. They may get a couple or three extra if they have been extra good on the stand. Moderation is the key. Treats are not to take the place of good food and hay. Wouldn't let your children have a steady diet of candy so don't over do treats for your four legged children.

Something else, not that you asked, mine get fruit scraps : diced up melon rind, apple or pear cores, diced up banana peels... just about anything I can wrestle away from the rabbits. I put their fruit scraps in with their grain. They come a running looking for their individual favorite pieces.