I have two Alpine wethers that were born March 30 of last year yet are only knee-high and about 70 pounds each (according to a weight tape ~ I actually doubt they even weigh that much). They have not seemed to grow at all since September.
Goat people have looked at them and remarked that they are chubby and have lush coats, but indeed are pretty small for the breed.
These are my first goats. I have had them since 3 weeks old. They were bottle babies on their mama's milk (mama lives up the road) until 9 weeks, then they got grain + hay for a couple months, then just free-choice hay and lots of browse since. I was told that wethers don't need grain. I feed minerals and kelp meal once a week (I can't feed it free-choice because they play with it and poop in it). They always have clean, fresh water, replaced at least daily. They are on an herbal wormer regimen, usually given in just a tiny bit of grain once a week.
They were wethered surgically by a vet when they were 6 weeks old.
I met mom and dad, and I saw how big they were, and they are definitely purebred Alpines.
Will my wethers grow more, or is this it?
(note: this is for my own curiosity ~ these boys are beloved pets and in fact, if they stayed this small it would be lovely!)
Goat people have looked at them and remarked that they are chubby and have lush coats, but indeed are pretty small for the breed.
These are my first goats. I have had them since 3 weeks old. They were bottle babies on their mama's milk (mama lives up the road) until 9 weeks, then they got grain + hay for a couple months, then just free-choice hay and lots of browse since. I was told that wethers don't need grain. I feed minerals and kelp meal once a week (I can't feed it free-choice because they play with it and poop in it). They always have clean, fresh water, replaced at least daily. They are on an herbal wormer regimen, usually given in just a tiny bit of grain once a week.
They were wethered surgically by a vet when they were 6 weeks old.
I met mom and dad, and I saw how big they were, and they are definitely purebred Alpines.
Will my wethers grow more, or is this it?
(note: this is for my own curiosity ~ these boys are beloved pets and in fact, if they stayed this small it would be lovely!)
