New Kid parents Northern California!

[Southern by choice]

Regarding poisonous plants, We have several cherry trees that our goats love. So I don't think it is a problem. He is sooo cute

I believe someone else had this question quite a bit back and the general consensus was as long as they don't eat them as their sole source of food, it shouldn't be a big deal... I believe they can eat a snack every now and again with minimal damage done, but I don't know for certain.

Until someone can tell me exactly how many leaves it takes before it kills my goat then I will pass. What a horrible death.

I'll get to the babes in a minute but @norseofcourse is right...
WILTED/WILTING cherry leaves are highly toxic and yes can kill your goat.
When fresh or all the way dried- no issue... but IMO why risk it? I certainly would not be able to watch every leaf and see what stage it was in. Either keep him away and fence off or remove the tree.

Well our kids were born Jan 19th- and we had temps at 7degrees and up to 70 degress... Yep North Carolina winters!
The quints were all around 2-3 lbs. We had them all in for 2 weeks then most of the group went out to an enclosed stall with supplemental heat for overnight... it was in the 20's- 30's

On sunny warmer days as it has been all the babes go out to a "kid-Pen"...
"Boots & Foxy Lady" still come in... they are wimps.
They could go out with some heat overnight but I have to deal with @Goat Whisperer ... so not worth that

My Dh is great... he loves the babes they are in a dog crate at night but they seem to "need a little night-time exercise" while they run everywhere because someone lets them do so.

 

[norseofcourse]

I believe someone else had this question quite a bit back and the general consensus was as long as they don't eat them as their sole source of food, it shouldn't be a big deal... I believe they can eat a snack every now and again with minimal damage done, but I don't know for certain.

My sheep sure eat quite a few things on the 'bad' list! But they eat small amounts. I think a lot of the poisonous plants have to be eaten in quantity to be bad. However, some are toxic with just small amounts - yew, azalea, rhododendron come to mind, there may be others (wilted cherry leaves). And I know some plants can have a cumulative effect, so even small amounts are bad, like locoweed.

I am not an expert, I still have a lot to learn. Learn your pasture, figure out the plants, and if you're not sure, err on the side of caution.

 

[Dextersmom]

If it's the same as for sheep, cherry tree leaves that are still on the tree (that the goats/sheep can reach) are ok, and eating the leaves that drop naturally in the fall is ok, too. It's when a branch breaks off the tree, and falls to the ground, and the leaves start wilting, and the goats/sheep eat the wilting leaves - that's the dangerous stage. Wilting cherry leaves develop some kind of cyanide, and it won't take much to poison livestock. I know it's bad for horses, too, and probably cows as well.

Thank you! I was worried because the leaves and flowers get everywhere! We'll just move him to the oposited edge of the property.

 

[babsbag]

Your goats are lucky to live in Humboldt county, they will love your summers much more than mine do here. I like the hot weather but not so sure they do.

That little guy sure is cute. I just love baby goats...good thing since I have 18 of them right now and more to come.

 

[Dextersmom]

Your goats are lucky to live in Humboldt county, they will love your summers much more than mine do here. I like the hot weather but not so sure they do.

That little guy sure is cute. I just love baby goats...good thing since I have 18 of them right now and more to come.

Yes, not too cold or hot... just lots of rain! I think he'll be real happy otherwise!
Question for you... he's 2 weeks and 1 day... I just increased his milk to 5 - 5 1/2 oz every 4 hours...
Should he be eating more? Or can I increase him to 6 or 7 and go every 5 hours? He just seems hungry after about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. I don't want him to bloat, but I don't want him hungry all the time either