To be a buck or wether, the tale of brothers....

[B&B Happy goats]

They ate grain and hay like crazy...all five of them. I am going to try to put him on a bottle today, but if he won’t go for it, then, I think I’ll call the guy. So, do I then wean all 5of them at 8 weeks? I was really planning to let them go a lot longer, like 12. I hate when our farmer friend gets involved...he just muddles things up. Like I didn’t think it was time to band Willy, thought he was too young. I will kill that guy if I’ll left with a goat that needs rebanded!

How old is the the goat you banded ? We band at 8 to 10 weeks ( mostly at 10) , if it's done too early you can run into lots of problems...neighbor did theirs at 6 weeks, two weeks later they were removed surgically by the vet at his office, (that mess had turned ugly !)
Unless you are going to use the milk for other reasons, ....why not let the doe wean her kids ? She will take care of the entire process as mother nature intended and nonthing beats moms milk for a healthy kid

 

[B&B Happy goats]

They ate grain and hay like crazy...all five of them. I am going to try to put him on a bottle today, but if he won’t go for it, then, I think I’ll call the guy. So, do I then wean all 5of them at 8 weeks? I was really planning to let them go a lot longer, like 12. I hate when our farmer friend gets involved...he just muddles things up. Like I didn’t think it was time to band Willy, thought he was too young. I will kill that guy if I’ll left with a goat that needs rebanded!

Don't ask the farmer guy any questions directly pertaining to your animals, ask him " general" questions or make conversation simple. He sounds like a old farmer that used to stop by our place in the 1970's....pigs, he would just cut the testicles out and fry them up in a pan to eat. Goats...hang them by the back leg tendons then cut their throat till they bleed out.....shots for anything or a vet NEVER.....
The "older farmers have lots of wisdom on many subjects that need to be shared, fortunately we have progressed to treating our animals a little more humanely and giving them better care. There is a balance here with your "farmer neighbor friend " you just have to find it and keep it in check.

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

Barb, as usual, you hit the nail on the head!! I told Chris that I don’t think Walter is ready to be weaned until 8 weeks and I want to call the guy, try to get a deposit, and wait. Chris agreed, after a bit of teasing. If the guy doesn’t want to give me a deposit, oh well, I’ll just relist him in 2 weeks. I had three people wanting to buy him. I picked this guy because he bought our ducks too. Our friend means we’ll, but, he is from the very old school of thinking, and that’s just not how I want to do things around here and he thinks I’m too soft for it. Honestly, I wish he’d stop nosing in so much, but we see him every Sunday, buy our hay, very cheap from him, and he drops by a ton because he wants to lease our land. Obviously we aren’t letting him.

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

I called the guy who is buying Walter. I explained the situation, he had no problem with waiting a few weeks!! He’s sending a hefty cashiers check to hold him! Now I won’t lose sleep, as I did last night!

 

[Ridgetop]

Make sure the buyer understands that the deposit is non-refundable. That way if he backs out you haven't lost by keeping the kid until he is not quite so adorable. Some people promise they are going to buy the animal, then back out after keeping you waiting for pick up. NOW YOU HAVE LOST A SALE AND THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT WERE INTERESTED HAVE GONE ELSEWHERE. Selling Walter is a good idea. Next kidding there will be more adorable kids for you to love. 8 weeks-2 months is ok to wean as long as the kids are eating hay and grain.

 

[Duckfarmerpa1]

The guy knows it’s non-refundable...and there’s actually another guy pressing me to sell him Walter if the check isn’t here by Sunday. Short time line. If the check isn’t here I’m just going to tell the other guy I want to give it a couple more days. Walter is a hot little dude