Spring Goat Grooming?

[BetterHensandGardens]

Now that the weather is finally starting to warm up a little , it looks like the Nigi girls are starting to shed - is it a good idea to brush them to help them shed? If so, what does everyone recommend to use for the brushing (or what will they like)? Also, how warm should it be before clipping them? I'm anxious to give them haircuts so I can see how they look under there, they're so shaggy now - but don't want to do it so early that they'll get too chilled without their coats.

Thanks in advance for the help - can't seem to find a book or anything that addresses this. :/

 

[ksalvagno]

I wouldn't shear them until at least late April.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

I'm dying to clip mine, but I won't clip them for another couple weeks. I did use a slicker to remove the loose undercoat they're blowing though.

 

[BellLisaMo]

OMG, I was wondering this too. My buck acts like he's going to pant to death when it gets to 80 here in Arizona. He looks so shaggy it's gross... haha

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

I wouldn't shear them until at least late April.

Thanks, that's very helpful - will have to be patient until late April, early May on the haircuts :/

Anyone have suggestions on what's preferred for grooming/helping them shed those winter coats in the meantime?

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

OMG, I was wondering this too. My buck acts like he's going to pant to death when it gets to 80 here in Arizona. He looks so shaggy it's gross... haha

If it's getting to 80, I would think you could shear them? Or does it still get very cold at night?

 

[freemotion]

You could clip their bellies....look up "low trace clip" for horses to see the pattern. I used to do this for the horses I worked with professionally up north, when days were warm but nights were cold.

I attached cheap scrub brushes to the door frame in the communal stall at goat height (a row of three brushes) with sturdy sheetrock screws and the goats love to groom themselves by rubbing their bodies on the brushes. I just pull the wooly hair out of the bristles every day or two. They look soooo much better since I put those brushes there.

I don't know how dh did it, but he broke our big push broom right in half. I was actually excited about that.....two great goat brushes! Now I have a "groomer" for the buck pen, too!

 

[BellLisaMo]

OMG, I was wondering this too. My buck acts like he's going to pant to death when it gets to 80 here in Arizona. He looks so shaggy it's gross... haha

If it's getting to 80, I would think you could shear them? Or does it still get very cold at night?

Here is the weather forecast for this week! It gets fairly cold right now... It's wacky.


Fri
81F | 45F

Sat
76F | 43F

Sun
76F | 43F

Mon
72F | 38F

 

[BellLisaMo]

You could clip their bellies....look up "low trace clip" for horses to see the pattern. I used to do this for the horses I worked with professionally up north, when days were warm but nights were cold.

I attached cheap scrub brushes to the door frame in the communal stall at goat height (a row of three brushes) with sturdy sheetrock screws and the goats love to groom themselves by rubbing their bodies on the brushes. I just pull the wooly hair out of the bristles every day or two. They look soooo much better since I put those brushes there.

I don't know how dh did it, but he broke our big push broom right in half. I was actually excited about that.....two great goat brushes! Now I have a "groomer" for the buck pen, too!

Oh thanks!

I MUST go buy some brushes tomorrow!!! I have a large telephone pole right where they can get at it from all sides. I think I will cover the whole bottom half. Dollar store. HERE WE COME!

 

[AlaskanShepherdess]

What are the temperature ranges that you want to clip them at? It's still dipping below freezing here and highs are in the 20's during the day.