Lamancha Nigerian Dwarf twins--What do I ask??

[Genipher]

I'm currently texting back and forth with a woman who has twin Lamancha/Nigerian Dwarf kids. Doelings. They've been on their dam and would need to be bottle fed for about 3 more weeks. I'm TOTALLY new to goats so I'm wondering, is bottle feeding difficult? It would be 3x a day, I think.

Also, I was reading another thread that said mini-manchas tend to be quieter (like Lamanchas) than Nigerians. I'm in town (had to get permission from the city and pay a fee to have goats) and while I know each goat is different noise-wise, I'm wondering if I can safely assume that a breed of this mix will be quieter than, say, a Nubian or full-blooded Nigerian?

I've asked about CAE, etc. testing, what they're eating, their health, if they've been disbudded (they have). Anything else I should ask?? If we get them I'll have to drive about an hour and 45 minutes to see/buy them...probably this weekend, unless the roads/weather is bad.

Thoughts?

https://roseburg.craigslist.org/grd/d/roseburg-lamancha-nigerian-goats-kids/6825528300.html

 

[frustratedearthmother]

It's likely going to be hard to get them on a bottle if they've been on their mama since birth. I wouldn't do it unless the owner bottle trains them before you get 'em. Are they nibbling feed and hay yet?

They sure are cute!

 

[Genipher]

It's likely going to be hard to get them on a bottle if they've been on their mama since birth. I wouldn't do it unless the owner bottle trains them before you get 'em. Are they nibbling feed and hay yet?

They sure are cute!

She says they're eating some grain. I've asked about hay and she hasn't answered yet. I think she's struggling to communicate because of snow issues knocking out electricity, etc. (though I'm not sure how much that would affect texting...) She DID say that they would "tame down" after being bottle fed. Is that code for "wild"?

While I'm super excited to get goats, I don't want to jump in and immediately get stressed out trying to care for kids that aren't used to being handled or bottle fed. The only thing I've ever tried to bottle feed was a kitten and it, uh, ended up dying.
There's another ad closer to home for Nigerian twin doelings. They're a bit more expensive ($350 for both vs. $200 for the mini-manchas) but the owner is willing to hold onto them until they're weaned, with a deposit.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Is that code for "wild"?

It very well could be. Looks like they are a bit past 5 weeks old. At that age I think it would be darn near impossible to get them on a bottle if they've never taken a bottle before. Why doesn't she want to keep them for three more weeks? That would only put them at 8 weeks old which I think is pushing it anyway...

 

[Genipher]

It very well could be. Looks like they are a bit past 5 weeks old. At that age I think it would be darn near impossible to get them on a bottle if they've never taken a bottle before. Why doesn't she want to keep them for three more weeks? That would only put them at 8 weeks old which I think is pushing it anyway...

What age should they be weaned? Seems I should know this but I can't remember. Is it 12 weeks?

The owner said she was in Mexico when the kids were born. Maybe she's hoping to go back to Mexico and wants to sell these girls ASAP? I can only assume since she hasn't told me.

Yeah, I think I'm going to have to skip out on these twins. I got a response back about the Nigerian Dwarf twins that are closer to my location. They were just born on the 22nd and the owner is willing to hold on to them until they are weaned, for a $100 deposit. I think this might be a wiser choice for me as it will give me time to get my goat shed prepared. It needs a bit of work to be livestock-ready.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Sounds like a good decision to me. Hope you enjoy the Nigerian twins!

 

[babsbag]

The Nigerians are sometimes noisy. Also be aware often times kids that are raised on the dams are not friendly AT ALL. It depends on how much they are handled as kids.

 

[Genipher]

So taking them as bottle babies is probably better? More work though, I'm sure.

Now I'm torn between getting these gals and continuing to watch/search for a quieter goat like Lamanchas. (They ARE quieter, right??) I mean, I have permission from the city to have goats but if I break the noise ordinance, I'd be forced to get rid of the goats. So I need to be careful in this decision.