Newbie Question? What Supplies will I need for Nigerian Dwarf goats?

[Bowman85]

Hey Everyone
I was wondering what Supplies I would need for Nigerian dwarf goats. We plan on getting two female kids and maybe a buck kid. Sorry if the terminology isn't right. I'm still learning and trying to get everything in line before spring. And suggestions on feed would be great. Because I've read mixed advice on what to feed.

 

[Green Acres Farm]

I'm by no means an expert, but here are some basic supplies I would keep on hand:

-dewormer and cocciostat~ I would ask around and see if ivermectin still works in your area. Get a fecal done at the vet before deworming to see what they have and after to see how it worked. If you have a microscope and learn to do your own fecals, that's probably the best thing you can do to know when to deworm and not just "guess." Parasites are becoming more and more resistant to dewormers because of overuse and under dosing,and are the #1 cause of goat death. If you do your own fecals, you can see exactly what parasites your goat has and if your dewormer is working and it can save you money in the long run!
Coccidia (a protozoan, not a worm, but shows up in fecals) can be a problem sometimes in goat kids. Dewormer will not work against coccidia. I use DiMethox from Jeffer's. You can probably get CoRid at your local feed store, but a lot of people dont like it as it doesn't always seem to be effective and can cause thiamine deficiency which can lead to goat polio. If coccidiosis is a problem for you, you might consider a feeds with coccidiostat. Keep in mind, though, that it will NOT treat coccidiosis of will PREVENT it.

-thermometer

-activated charcoal~ trust me, you do not want to be running all over town and vets looking for this in an emergency.

-injectable antibiotic ~ to keep on hand if you can't get to the vet on a late weekend night. I keep Penicillin and Oxytetracycline on hand.

-CDT vaccine~ just make sure your kids are UTD.

-scale or measuring tapes with weight chart

-probiotics, electrolytes, fortified vitamin B complex

Feeding:

Hay and loose goat minerals free choice. I give mine a little Perennial Peanut or alfalfa hay and the rest is regular hay.

A little feed is good for growing kids. Try to find a feed that has a Ca/P ratio of 2:1 to prevent urinary calculi in your buckling. TSC carries a feed called Noble Goat that is good and contains ammonium chloroide which helps prevent UC in bucks/wethers by keeping their urine slightly acidic so it is harder for crystals to form. UC is not a problem in does.

Oh, your buckling, unless he is wethered (neutered) can not be with your doelings as he can breed as young as 2 months old. I personally wish that I did not start out with bucklings and doelings, but waited until my does were ready to breed until buying them.

Congratulations on your soon to be purchase! You will love them! Please post pics!

Oh, do NOT buy welded wire fencing. Please get woven wire! If they are Nigies or Pygmies, you will need the 2×4 inch kind. I learned the hard way. It will not last!

 

[luvmypets]

I will be following, I need to learn as much as I can

 

[Bowman85]

Thank you green acres farm. Will the no climb horse fence work?. I'm still trying to figure out which panels I need to use. I prefer to start with kids, we'll because I have small kids. And want them to want to go out and help. Also so they won't feel scared. We have had boer goats for stock show and now a lamb. Which the lamb is huge and my daughter just loves her.

 

[Green Acres Farm]

Thank you green acres farm. Will the no climb horse fence work?. I'm still trying to figure out which panels I need to use. I prefer to start with kids, we'll because I have small kids. And want them to want to go out and help. Also so they won't feel scared. We have had boer goats for stock show and now a lamb. Which the lamb is huge and my daughter just loves her.

That is what I have used.