The Poultry Keeper

Sylvia · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:43 am Post subject:

Thank you all once again for all the information and anecdotes.
Thankfully I think we only have brambles and a small amount of bracken around the place where we are planning to keep the goats. I have googled 'Plants poisonous to goats' and the list is quite extensive, I will have to google some of the plants to see what they look like and then go and check.
I have the chance of 2 neutered male kids about 6 weeks old, is this a bit young to be leaving mum?
If I do decide to get them I would like them dehorned, what is the best age to get this done?

Sorry to have more questions.

Teasal · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:00 pm Post subject:

Do you want to be bottle feeding? They will still be wanting milk at that age. I prefer to have my dehorned when they are castrated at a few days old, but the vet will be able to do it for you. We have a local farmer who makes a bit of extra cash by going round other farms dehorning calves. I would do it sooner rather than later though.

Sylvia · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks Teasel, no I don't really want to be bottle feeding, but I suppose it would build up a bond and get them used to me and being handled, how often would I have to feed them, please don't tell me every 4 hours even through the night, I had enough of that when my boys were babies. At what age should they be weaned?

I know they have been castrated but I don't think they have been dehorned, so even if I wait to get them until they have been weaned it wont be too late to get them done then.

Teasal · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject:

People have different ideas on bottle feeding. Personally, at that age I would give them at least three feeds through the day - I would not be getting up in the night you will be glad to hear. Mine have managed ok. As to weaning, well, if you will let them you would have two big goats still coming for their bottle of milk LOL!! Again, its personal preference, but after a month of three feeds, I would cut down to two, and then by the time they are three months they should be having no bottles. I did have one nanny who insisted on coming every day for her milk and would bleat until she got it and she was a big girl, but usually they do wean ok. You will be able to see how they look, and gauge if and when to reduce the feeds.

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1155 Location: Cornwall

They're too old to be de-horned in my opinion. When they are babies it's easier (if you can call it that) to have them de-horned, when they're 6 weeks old it's more painful for them. If they were mine I'd leave the horns on.

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7347 Location: isle of lewis

snap so would i ,just didn't want to say it Embarassed

,

one of my nannies will drink from a bottle or from the jug if your not quick enough ,mind you she wasn't bottle reared ,must admit i like horns ,but i keep old english and they are meant to have horns

Teasal · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:20 pm Post subject:

I have been so fortunate that most of my goats have been naturally polled (born with no horns) only the ones given to me over the years have sometimes had horns. One nanny had large horns that curved back, and I was so scared she would get caught on something. The two I have now have horns, but so far have been ok. Personally, I would only have mine de horned when castrated at a few days old, although a trauma for them, its a lot easier than when they are older.

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1155 Location: Cornwall

What breed are the 2 billies? Some goats horns aren't as awkward as others.

Sylvia · Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 7:35 am Post subject:

Once again thank you all for your advice. I think on balance it will be better if I don't have these 2 and wait until we are totally ready. If I wait until next year there are usually loads advertised here, very often free to good homes.
The reason I don't want horns is a friends normally very quiet placid billy was spooked by a helicopter when she was patting him and nealy took her eye out and badly injured one of her dogs. I know accidents can happen but I would rather be safe than sorry.
Thanks again for all your help and helping me make a decision.

Sylvia

Pekinout · Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1155 Location: Cornwall

I think you've made a wise decision there Sylvia. As you say accidents do happen and horns only make the accidents worse sometimes.