New to nubians. We're running ahead of schedule but just couldn't resist the offer of two nubian nannies-free. Current owner says shes getting rid of them cause they don't get along with the others she has but they do get along with each other. They're about two yrs old and milking.

Any comments on disposition of nubians and other behaviorial characteristics of the breed?

This week I'll be emptying out a 12x16 shed for them, building a gravity feed hay rack that will hold 3 or 4 bales of hay, a gravity feed grain feeder with a shut-off "valve", a 5gal watering device, putting up some field fencing around an area adjacent to the shed that includes a little patch of woods and a bunch of wild berry canes, putting some straw down on the dirt floor and making a milking bench of some sort. What have I forgotten? doing wrong? could do better? Comments please! Thanks!

-- john leake (natlivent@pcpros.net), March 05, 2000

Answers

Response to New-bians

Not sure what you mean by a gravity feed grain feeder. At any rate, my goats will eat grain until they explode, especially if they have someone to compete with, so be careful how much you load that thing with. Also, a milking doe will be able to polish off 5 gallons of water by herself on a hot day, you might want something larger. I bought a float valve watering pan with a hose connection, and plumbed into a 55 gallon drum. It gives a monster supply of water, yet if they foul it, you only have to dump whats in the dish. put the barrel and dish up on concrete blocks to get them high enough to keep them clean.

-- Connie (Connie@lunehaven.com), March 05, 2000.

Response to New-bians

Wow! Sounds like you have been busy preparing! Be careful on the feed, if you feed too much grain you can run into problems. Find out from her the last time she gave shots: CD-T, wormers, etc. Also you will need to trim hooves eventually so you'll need trimmers for that. you can get some nice ones from Jeffers supply or from http://www.goatsupplies.com You will also eventually want to get a milking stand for ease in milking. How long ago did they kid? How were their deliveries? and did they have twins, singles, etc? You'll need to consider getting a buck for breeding in the fall or either artifical insemenation or whatever you decide. Are they registered? It may be important to you and then again not. remember to feed minerals along with grain, we let ours free feed on minerals and have mineral cups (you can buy at farm supply store) around the barn. Depending on mineral mix you may or may not want to get a salt block, personally I like our salt, etc in the mineral mix, its easier. I guess thats about all I can think of, you'll probably want to consider a pasture area eventually. Good Luck and if you need any help I'll be happy to try to help!

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), March 05, 2000.

Response to New-bians

I hope everything goes well. I just have it stuck in my head" if it sounds to good to be true it probally is"Hopefully not for you. A word of caution what if think is strong enough fence DOUBLE IT! They can get out of just about anything.Have fun.

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 06, 2000.

Response to New-bians

I wouldn't put too much straw down if you have a dirt floor. The straw will only absorb the urine and you'll be mucking out the stall a lot to rid the smell of ammonia. Dirt floors are nice since they absorb the urine. Just some bedding in a corner where they will bed down would be enough. Of course, if you like to garden and want to use the urine/poop for your garden, then you may want to "save" the urine by soaking it into the straw...I just go in every evening after chores and use a pooper-scooper and collect the berries of the day and put them in a bucket for garden use...much easier than cleaning bedding out. I spread some "sweet PDZ" or dolomite lime mixed with about a cup of diatomaceous earth once a week to keep the stall "sweet" and control bacteria...it will also hold down fly population. Have fun!

-- Jim Roberts (jroberts1@cas.org), March 06, 2000.

Response to New-bians

If they're anything like my nubians, kiss your trees goodbye. The goats nibble on EVERYTHING !!!!!! And yes, if there's a small opening in the fence, they'll get through, even if they have to get on their knees to crawl out. Don't get me wrong - they're nice goats - but they entertain themselves ALOT. Have Fun!

-- Pat (pmikul@pcpros.net), March 06, 2000.