This is all you guys' fault! Now I need help with feeding stuff!

[lupinfarm]

Our local TSC doesn't have a vaccine fridge, some do some don't around here... The one out in Bowmanville does but thats a bit far to drive. Our Co-op and the Purina co-op has one.

Oh, I went to our purina dealer today.. they don't carry or sell Purina Goat Chow, or Noble Goat..

What they do sell is "Goat Maximizer" which is their only pelleted goat feed and is geared more towards dairy goats and they have to order it in. I ordered one bag to try it and will buy a bag of the Rolling Acres at TSC when we go in to town on Saturday.

We also picked up some mineral... again, no goat mineral, but the guys at the feed store suggested a dairy cow mineral mix because it's higher quality than the beef cow mix and has more copper in it apparently. It was only like a $1 more expensive anyway.

 

[lupinfarm]

Oh, I also thought I'd mention that I emailed Kerry and they have been wormed on a worming scheduale, and most recently have been wormed with the Ivermectin Injectible, at least they're used to needles! She also gave me a list of foods they are used to as treats.

 

[trestlecreek]

I would order the Bar-Vac CD/T from www.jefferslivestock.com
This is one I am familiar with and I know work.
The one you found covers several diseases(some that are not an issue) and when a vaccine covers several diseases, it becomes less potent(effective) overall.

Whomever swears by NOT vaccinating a goat is CRAZY with a capital C!!!!

The diseases you are vaccinating against with CD/T are diseases that either come naturally to the goat or from the dirt. All dirt has the bacteria that the vaccine protects against. Some people are just not very educated.

Believe me, I have seen these diseases first hand and it happens to non-vaccinated goats frequently. They are ugly diseases that would make you want to cry if you saw a goat suffering from them. (Okay, off my soap-box )

Yes, the cow dairy mineral would be best if you can't get the goat.
Yes,you can try the other pelleted goat feeds to see if they will work for you. If you switch, just do it gradually.

 

[lupinfarm]

Jeffers does not ship vaccines to Canada. I can vaccinate with this vaccine though, it just won't be as potent as the Bar-Vac that you have available to you through Jeffers? ... I did wish we could order vaccines from Jeffers but they don't ship to Canada anymore. I suspect not because of our laws but because shipments tend to get stuck at customs for days on end and since it is a temperature sensitive product, this could cause it to be unusable when eventually delivered to the buyer.

I bought a dress from Torrid last month which spent 4 days at customs at the border, despite the fact that I didn't need to pay customs duty on it.

 

[lupinfarm]

This is the mineral feeder that the lady from Blackjack Stables gave me photos for. I think it's pretty nifty, it's mean to go in a stable or barn or overhang but it's pretty cool!

 

[trestlecreek]

Ahhh, didn't realize you were in Canada!
Yes, if that is all you can get, by all means, use it. It will give your goats protection.

Yes, I have those mineral feeders. I quit using them though, the moisture in the air just makes the minerals icky.....my husband was mad when he noticed I quit using them,...LOL.
I just put some out in a hanging feeder every day...

 

[lupinfarm]

Yep, Sadly nothing is available to us Canadians! ... Our Co-ops and TSC's don't offer very much for any animal and we don't have any specialty stores except the Sheep Growers store east of here.

 

[lupinfarm]

Oh, about the vaccine. Should I follow the directions for sheep as far as amount goes?

Also, would it be best to give them a cooling off period of a couple days to prevent over-stressing them before I give the vaccine, or do it when they come out of the crates (we're taking them home in dog crates) and into their pen?


The nanny may have been bred, and does noticeably look a bit bigger than the other nannys (with the exception of the other nanny who might have been bred). How soon before I can tell if she has been bred or not? .. If she has been bred, how much feed should I give her? I would also assume that near to kidding she would need to be separated from the doeling. She was in with the buck about 2 or 3 weeks ago, so she'd kid in 5 months time... around December...


I'm wondering... LOL has anyone ever put a rug on their goat? Like you do with horses...

 

[Laney]

I can't answer the vaccine questions but as to when you'll know for sure she's pregnant...

go to your calendar and mark off 150 days from 3 weeks ago. Sometime in about there you'll be sure. (Of course give or take a week or two)

Your only other option is a blood test or ultrasound with a vet. I would look at Fias page for the signs of impending doom...uh I mean kidding and separate your Mama then. http://fiascofarm.com/goats/prenatalcare.html#labor

Hope this helps.

Laney

 

[lupinfarm]

Haha... Impending doom...

Usually the vet techs do the ultrasounds with a mobile... I'll look into that, it'd be kind of cool to have a picture