FARM Baby Goats!

[Border Collie Dad]

While it's late, we had our first kids yesterday.
We have Kikos.

We got a buckling last summer from a reputable breeder from WVA.
It seemed he would be pretty young to breed last fall but we were assured he would be able to do his job by around the first of October.

I'm guessing this doe was bred toward the end of October.
Three other does and we're not sure if or when they were bred.
Although, one doe has been wide as a barn door for some time and we thought she would drop first..

My daughter paid a pretty good chunk of change for this buck.
He does have papers and can be registered.

We do have one doe that has papers.
The other three are commercial.

This is a first time mama and she wasn't real good with feeding.
It seems she might be doing a little better.
I am dreading the possibility of needing to bottle feed them.

They seemed to have filled out a little overnight so she might have fed them.

I've never been able to figure out how to load pictures but they cute as all get out.

 

[texkat72]

I love baby kids. So precious!

 

[nomifyle]

We've got one too, she is so cute. Her name is March, she was born in March.

 

[Wildwood]

While it's late, we had our first kids yesterday.
We have Kikos.

We got a buckling last summer from a reputable breeder from WVA.
It seemed he would be pretty young to breed last fall but we were assured he would be able to do his job by around the first of October.

I'm guessing this doe was bred toward the end of October.
Three other does and we're not sure if or when they were bred.
Although, one doe has been wide as a barn door for some time and we thought she would drop first..

My daughter paid a pretty good chunk of change for this buck.
He does have papers and can be registered.

We do have one doe that has papers.
The other three are commercial.

This is a first time mama and she wasn't real good with feeding.
It seems she might be doing a little better.
I am dreading the possibility of needing to bottle feed them.

They seemed to have filled out a little overnight so she might have fed them.

I've never been able to figure out how to load pictures but they cute as all get out.

I'd much rather breed for spring births...makes life easier for everyone. The only reason I can see for babies born in January is if you are breeding for kids to show at the fall fairs...which I never was.

Lucky you, there is nothing cuter than a baby goat!

 

[Bud in Fla]

When we were in NC we raised fainting goats. They were fun. SWMBO still would love to get some more but agrees we don't have time or space for them now.

 

[KFhunter]

I wouldn’t do well with feinting goats, poor things would be feet up more than feet down

 

[Border Collie Dad]

Not sure if mama is feeding them or not.
She seems to move away after they get a little sip.
Daughter has been holding her while the babies eat.

She took a couple bottles of milk replacer and they only ate a couple ounces.
Not sure if that means they're not hungry because they are getting fed or what.

They seem to be fairly strong.
I hope we donb'y have to bottle feed them.

Kikos are supposed to be good mothers.

 

[Marie]

Not sure if mama is feeding them or not.
She seems to move away after they get a little sip.
Daughter has been holding her while the babies eat.

She took a couple bottles of milk replacer and they only ate a couple ounces.
Not sure if that means they're not hungry because they are getting fed or what.

They seem to be fairly strong.
I hope we donb'y have to bottle feed them.

Kikos are supposed to be good mothers.

If a new momma, may need encouragement or not used to full udder.

 

[GammaRat]

We're bottle feeding 4 and more to come

 

[summerthyme]

Check their little bellies. If their sides are touching... they are hungry/starving. If there's a slight hollow, but you can feel sort of a balloon like mass keeping your fingers from meeting... they are eating. Watch to see they are eating often at this age, because they rarely take more than 2-3 ounces. If they have nice, full round bellies... you're good to go.

With older ewes, those "super full" lambs might actually be getting too much milk... watch for scours.

A bit of patience now will save hours of bottle feeding! (Do they wag their tails happily when they latch on? That tells you she is letting her milk down, and they can get all they need in under a minute! If they never get to that stage, she mwy be holding her milk up. A warm washing of the udder and teats with a mild (1/2% iodine) disinfectant wash, right before the kids start to nurse may help. If she gets sore, BagBalm will help, applied after they nurse if possible.

Good luck!

Summerthyme

 

[Wildwood]

When we were in NC we raised fainting goats. They were fun. SWMBO still would love to get some more but agrees we don't have time or space for them now.

Ever so often, I forget the agony of bottle feeding and want to jump right back into having goats and then DH reminds me.

While it's late, we had our first kids yesterday.
We have Kikos.

We got a buckling last summer from a reputable breeder from WVA.
It seemed he would be pretty young to breed last fall but we were assured he would be able to do his job by around the first of October.

I'm guessing this doe was bred toward the end of October.
Three other does and we're not sure if or when they were bred.
Although, one doe has been wide as a barn door for some time and we thought she would drop first..

My daughter paid a pretty good chunk of change for this buck.
He does have papers and can be registered.

We do have one doe that has papers.
The other three are commercial.

This is a first time mama and she wasn't real good with feeding.
It seems she might be doing a little better.
I am dreading the possibility of needing to bottle feed them.

They seemed to have filled out a little overnight so she might have fed them.

I've never been able to figure out how to load pictures but they cute as all get out.

If the mama isn't giving them enough time to get all they need but you feel she is letting them nurse a little, you can put her on a milk stand and hobble her. That way you can let the baby get all they want and sometimes it makes the doe a little more willing to let them nurse...especially with the first time mamas.

Bottle feeding is a real commitment, especially that first couple of weeks so, like Summer said, do all you can to get them nursing. It's probably been ten years since I've had a bottle baby...not sure I could hande it at this age. It's that first week and the night feedings that do you in.

 

[Millwright]

They're cute until turning into the devil's stepchildren.

Was helping a neighbor with goats patch common fence today.

I got no use for the little bastages.

 

[Border Collie Dad]

Thanks, summerthyme for that info.
My daughter may be too zealous and creatre something that becomes my problem.
Will see in the morning what's going on.

 

[summerthyme]

They're cute until turning into the devil's stepchildren.

Was helping a neighbor with goats patch common fence today.

I got no use for the little bastages.

I'm with you!

Summerthyme

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Before they realize they're subject to the laws of gravity their antics are so cute.

 

[Border Collie Dad]

I don't have a milk stand but held her by the collar so they could eat.
These guys must have ADHD because they don't stay on task of eating very long.
Had to hold momma with one hand and catch each of them with the other to bring them back to eat.

One is more active than the other.

I think they are ok but will need to check on them periodically throughout the day.

We have another doe that's as big as a barn.
We thought she would go first.
I think it's getting close.

 

[pauldingbabe]

I don't have a milk stand but held her by the collar so they could eat.
These guys must have ADHD because they don't stay on task of eating very long.
Had to hold momma with one hand and catch each of them with the other to bring them back to eat.

One is more active than the other.

I think they are ok but will need to check on them periodically throughout the day.

We have another doe that's as big as a barn.
We thought she would go first.
I think it's getting close.

Do you think it's twins or triplets?

That's a field full of fun...hahahaha!

 

[Border Collie Dad]

Do you think it's twins or triplets?

It could be elephants as big as she is and how long she's going.

 

[Old Gray Mare]

Anyone try putting pool noodles on their horns? If so, dose it work?

 

[summerthyme]

Anyone try putting pool noodles on their horns? If so, dose it work?

Dunno about pool noodles, but we've used duct tape and tennis balls to keep aggressive horned Dexter cows from injuring cattle or people. One summer, I couldn't resist, and I sprayed them with glow in the dark paint. Apparently, it really freaked out the Amish neighbors! LOL!

Summerthyme

 

[Border Collie Dad]

Baby goats are just over a month and things took a turn.
Momma died Monday night.
On Monday she couldn't get up.
Vet (worthless) came out and gave antibiotics and probiotics.
Temp was normal.
Monday night she was grinding her teeth and in distress.

Daughter thought it could be bloat and gave mineral oil because that seems to be one of the remedies.

Fortunately, the babies are starting to eat soft grass.
Today, I tried to get them to eat from a titty bucket.
The little boy took a couple bites and the little girl wasn't having it.
Their bellies seem full and they don't seem to be hungry

They got bottles this morning and didn't drink a whole lot.
I found a place to hang it in their pen in case they figure it out before my daughter gets home from work this evening.

 

[John Deere Girl]

Baby goats are just over a month and things took a turn.
Momma died Monday night.
On Monday she couldn't get up.
Vet (worthless) came out and gave antibiotics and probiotics.
Temp was normal.
Monday night she was grinding her teeth and in distress.

Daughter thought it could be bloat and gave mineral oil because that seems to be one of the remedies.

Fortunately, the babies are starting to eat soft grass.
Today, I tried to get them to eat from a titty bucket.
The little boy took a couple bites and the little girl wasn't having it.
Their bellies seem full and they don't seem to be hungry

They got bottles this morning and didn't drink a whole lot.
I found a place to hang it in their pen in case they figure it out before my daughter gets home from work this evening.

I'm so sorry! That's the terrible part of having livestock.

There are several goat emergency pages on Facebook in case you're interested for future use. Not a lot of vets have a clue about goats.

 

[Border Collie Dad]

Thanks for the info on goat emergency pages.

I took my dogs from this vet office because they continue to disappoint.
The vet we went to only does small animals so we're almost stuck with the one that came.