We are finally going to get the goats this spring. Not sure what type yet, but the fence will be done soon.Question is "what types of medication, supliments, first aid, ect. Would you suggest to have on hand when we finally get our goats? Also we have approximately 1 acre of 1/2 woods 1/2 field that we are going to be keeping them in. Our peach tree and three pear trees are in that field. I don't really care about the peach, as I have gotten 1 peach off this tree in ten years. Two of the pears are really big and pretty much deer food. But one is a really nice pear that I have gotten pears off of. Is there some way of saveing these pears without electric fence? Maybe just build a fence around it with 2 by 4 welded wire? Thanks for all the help.

I am so excited! I am going to make my last house payment in April! Yippie!!!! It aint fancy, but it will soon be ALL OURS! Pay my house off and get my goats all in one year! OH man! Am I excited!

-- Bonnie (josabo1@juno.com), January 04, 2001

Answers

Bonnie, I would suggest an electric fence for the tree. You will probably want it anyway, for the perimeter. Goats love to climb and rub and will quickly trample down a woven wire fence. They have an almost perverse joy about fencing. It is to be conquered! And if there is a succulent pear tree on the other side, so much the better. I would suggest you borrow a goat or two for a few days to find where the weak spots are in your fencing. Do it when you can be home to keep an eye on them. As for the first aid kit, I just keep the same things on hand I do for the dogs and other critters. A good disinfectant, syringes and needles for injections, a good all-purpose antibiotic for injections, an antibiotic ointment, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, and a good animal first aid book. Also get to know a good vet in your area who really knows goats, not just one who has seen one once.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), January 04, 2001.

That is so exciting Bonnie! And Melinda is right, you will be amazed at the problems with fencing you will have with your first goats, as you raise out your own babies, the fencing problems will disappear. Might want to take a trick from the zoo's and fence your tree in with panels, (metal cattle panels or wooden) even then make sure that with a big tall doe or buck standing on the panel that they can not reach the limbs. Also make sure that one section of the panel fence is really a gate, for you to be able to get in and pick. Keep the tree pruned so no tasty leaves are hanging in reach!

Basics is first a great book like Goatkeeping 101 at caprinesupply.com Getting the goats home you will need to be worming them the next weekend, perhaps the old owners will send you home with some wormer for this. They will also need their feet trimmed, the shear majic trimmers from Jeffers livestock catalog are great, Caprine Supply has them also. A goat weigh tape is a must so you aren't guessing. I always revaccinate new stock, so a bottle of BarVac CD&T and some 3cc syringes with needles. You will need a good grain mix, not just some ole goat pellet full of animal protein and by products, and a good loose cattle mineral mix. You will not need a whole lot of supplementation if you have great nutrition in the first place. Make sure and take some of the grain they are used to and slowly mix the new grain into it. Great hay even with browse is a must this time of the year, and as long as it is green and fresh, doesn't need to be alfalfa. My girls eat very little hay during the spring and summer. Medications: Probably a 300,000 unit penicillin, and either Tylan 200 or Biomycin (same as LA200). First aid, that's a tuff one since I keep nearly a surgical kit on hand now, but really you will have very few minor problems. Maybe some aloe heal or comfrey for minor scrapes, blood stop powder though I have never used it, start in the catalogs purchasing maybe some vet wrap, furox or the generic, then as you have the goats awhile you can add more stuff if you need it, especially before kidding. This is actually where buying from a good breeder comes in handy, that then will help mentor you. Most problems are handled by the seller, and you can purchase stuff as needed. When someone close by purchases, I usually if they want me, come over in a month and help trim feet, I also have a girlfriend that does head health for my customers. I also have lots of before you buy folks, who come and learn to trim feet, milk, feed babies, its really to bad more folks don't want to learn how to clean the barn!!!! You have fun with your goats! Ask tons of questions before you purchase them, and remember CAE testing is only 6$!! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 04, 2001.

I would cut the peach tree down if it is not producing. Their leaves become toxic when they start to wilt. This is from any fruit tree with a pit. good luck with the goats. Did you decide what kind yet?

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 04, 2001.

Bonnie, I suggest you join an online goat group. There are several breed specific groups that you can join to get and share information from experienced goat breeders via email. You can subscribe for free by going to: http://cybergoat.com/ Scroll about half way down the page and find a list of groups by breed. We've learned lots of good information covering everything from medications to showing. Most vets have little or no experience with goats so much of our treatment is built on years of experience by fellow goat breeders. Visit our Nubians at www.sundaycreek.com As for medications: CD&T toxoid for annual vaccinations; Ivomec or other for worming; Corrid to prevent cocci; Vitamin B complex to give a boost after being trucked or after kidding; CD antitoxin and Tetanus antitoxin to treat the rapidly fatal enterotoxemia; pepto bismol or maalox for indigestion; Epinephrine for treatment of anaphylactic shock from other medications; Penicillin for general infections; Oxymycin is another good antibiotic; LA-200, another antibiotic; Naxcel, yet another antibiotic; Propylene Glycol and Dextrose to treat Ketosis; Calcium Gluconate to prevent and treat for milk fever; tums are also a good calcium source prior to kidding to prevent milk fever; pedialyte is a good treatment for dehydration when a kid goes off its feed or stops drinking. This list is not complete. Many breeders use these together with herbal and natural supplements and treatments. Some of these medications can be purchased at your local feed store while others must be obtained from your vet. Good luck.

-- Skip Walton (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), January 11, 2001.