Newbie questions-Goat and horse feed-UPDATED W PICS!!!

[cmjust0]

I theorized once that a goat with lots of color would have a harder time keeping its mineral levels up (since minerals play into pigmentation), and therefore may be generally less healthy than lighter colored goats.. So, I asked a Boer breeder for his impression on which of his goats tend to do better -- traditionals, paints, or solids.

He immediately said traditionals are more healthy, by far. He said paints aren't too bad, but solids are usually a royal PITA "for some reason." This was before I'd let on what I had in my head. When I explained what I was thinking, he thought it made sense.

But that's one guy's theory plus one guy's impression of how color relates to health, though, so take it for what it cost ya..

I can tell you, though, that if *I* were picking...I'd go with a traditional.

But that's just me.

As for picking among the traditionals...or any of them, actually...posting the pics here might be helpful. And fun.

 

[freemotion]

Another thought...many horses tend to be color bigots, and since so many are darker, a light animal will often get picked on. But one goat with one horse....that probably won't matter too much, since it will be the only companion.

 

[warthog]

Another thought...many horses tend to be color bigots, and since so many are darker, a light animal will often get picked on. But one goat with one horse....that probably won't matter too much, since it will be the only companion.

That's interesting, I worked with horses many years ago, but never new that.

 

[Rilly10]

LOL! SOOO true. I have worked with many stallions that prefer certian colored mares. There was once a very famous TB stallion who would only breed certaian colors. Very bad since they are only bred by live cover!

I also breed colorful Morgan horses and when I first started showing my palomino mare LOTS of horses would spook at her white tail at the Morgan shows since morgans typically only come in black, brown, chestnut, and bay!

Well I am going to go pick her out Sun Am around 9:30. If they are only 35-45 lbs, how old do you think they are? If they have not been handled much do you think they are still young enough to become friendly?

I already bought whoever she is a jolly ball and a pink goat halter and lead!

 

[jodief100]

At 35- 45 lbs they are probably still young. The growth rate in Boers varies a lot depending on what they are being fed. If they are primarily on forage they could be 4-8 months old. If they have a lot of grain, 2-3 months old. A mix can be anywhere in between.

If you handle them a lot they will come around. Boers tend to be food motivated so treats work well with them.

 

[Rilly10]

OK UPDATE!!!!

We ended up getting two goats! Two little doelings, a solid red and a paint. We couldn't decide on one, I liked the red...hubby liked to paint, so to my suprise he said lets just get both!

So they are now in with my horse who is interested but no too interested (which to me is perfect). Hubby also built them their own addition to the run in for them and we sectioned off an area so they have access to their shed but the horse can't get in incase they need a break.

I will update with pics later!

 

[ksalvagno]

Congratulations on your new goats!

 

[freemotion]

Perfect! Pictures!!

 

[warthog]

Congratulations, welcome to Goatland.

Pictures please, we all like pictures.

 

[Rilly10]

Update!

Our project is done! The goats have their own addition to the stallion's shed and a 2 top rail fence thay can go under but he can't so they can take a break if needed and he can't go in their shed.

I am soooo happy with how they are all getting along! The stallion lets them eat out of his hay pile and has even been letting them eat his grain (now that we caught them doing it twice he has a bucket hanging in his shed so they can't reach). Who said stallions can't be nice!

Ps- sorry for all of the clutter in the back...didn't finish cleaning up before I took the pics!