My family just bought our first goat. She's a Nubian, and is 13 months old. She's bred but ran with two bucks (a Pygmy and a Boer) so there will be a surprise when the kid(s)is/are born. We're also not sure exactly when she was bred, and that brings me to my question. As she gets closer to kidding what should I watch for? I'd like to be there to help her but I need to know what to watch for. I have experience with mares and foaling, are goats similar? Also, can you please recommend your favorite goat books? I'd like a good general reference book.

Thanks!

Stacy Rohan in Upstate NY where it's a balmy 29 degrees

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), January 08, 2001

Answers

My favorite goat books are:

1 - Goat Husbandry, by David Mackenzie. I like the first edition better than the second for feeding information, but both are good.

2 - Raising Milk Goats the Modern Way, by Jerry Belanger. I guess the author's name says it all.

As far as what to look for in advancing pregnancy, everyone I know has been fooled by their does as to whether they are pregnant, and when they will kid. The only way I know is to watch, watch, watch. Some use nursery monitors in the barn. Knowing the breeding date really helps, of course. Sometimes, if you know just where to feel, you can feel the kids. The doe should start to bag up a few days before kidding, too, but doesn't always.

By the way, if you plan to milk the doe, I'd be putting her on the milking stand for the last couple of months to feed her grain, and handling her udder while she's up there. It's much easier if they already have a clue when they kid, though mine have still danced around a bit. If they try to lay down, I push them downward, and they try to stand up. I keep the pressure off as long as they're standing. Pretty soon, they quit trying to lay down. I don't know if anyone has any other method to keep them from laying down on the job, but if so, I'd sure like to hear it!

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), January 09, 2001.

caprinesupply.com has a great catalog, and I think their new book Goatkeeping 101 is a great start. Also in the catalog you can subscribe to Dairy Goat Journal and join the American Dairy Goat Association, then in your directory find and join a local goat club. The very best way to learn about goats is from folks doing it, and clubs will have real hands on type learning going on. In fact when we started out I started with a 4H group, I took my kids, but I was their to learn also! Try to find yourself a mentor, who will help you out with feeding, worming, and your day to day management, perhaps a friendly visit during kidding season this spring also! Good luck with your new goat! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 09, 2001.

Some things we watch for are bagging up, stamping and pawing the ground repeatedly, Discharge and swelling at the vulva, and the doe turning her head back to "talk" to her sides. Not every goat does all of these, but they usually do at least some of them. I agree, the best thing is just watch, watch, watch.

-- Kari (prettyhere@truevine.net), January 09, 2001.

Good Morning,

Good luck with your goat. They have a way of growing on you. We raise Alpines. I have a couple of good online sources for kidding and delivery. I would also recommend the books already mentioned. Online sources: http://www.goatworld.com http://members.tripod.com/goatwisdom/ch1baby_care/deliveries.html http://www.saanendoah.com/ also try doing a searh for the national goat handbook, its a great source.

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), January 09, 2001.

Where upstate ? I am in ST>Lawrence county.

-- Patty (fodfarms@hotmail.com), January 09, 2001.

In addition to the books already mentioned look for a copy of "All About Goats" by Lois Heatherington.Also,I find that the monthly magazines are more helpful than books.Of course you should read the books first. On kidding.....my goats often do a lot of grunting and groaning as they rise from laying down.(boy that sentence stinks).There is usually a yellowish discharge about 24 hours from kidding.Large,very wrinkled vulva."Bagging up"isn't a reliable indicator as the doe may get a tight udder a couple of weeks early or may even wait until after the she kids.Also,if the doe is a pet she will want more attention from you as she gets close. One other thing.Cut her feed (concentrate)by about one third 2 weeks before kidding.This will help her mobilize calcium from her bones. This isn't necessary for non-dairy breeds.

-- JT (gone2seed@hotmail.com), January 09, 2001.

Thank you all for your help. I'll watch her and I'm sure I'll be posting a ton of questions for the next few months.

I'd like to buy another dairy goat to keep her company. I'll be looking in the next few months. I'd like a registered doe so my daughter can show her in 4H. I probably should have gotten an experienced milker for my first goat but this one needed a home quickly and I was able to trade homegrown hay for her. I've been showing my dear long suffering hubby a diagram of how to build a milking stantion but he hasn't quite got the hint yet. I'll increase the "hints" tonight He did build her a box stall, it's horse size (the only size he's ever built)I could easily fit 3 goats in it!

Thanks again for your help.

Stacy Rohan --->in the Binghamton, NY area where the temp dropped to 18 degrees again

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), January 09, 2001.

Stacy, just wait until your dear one sees the new kids, he will probably be a goner like mine. We both really enjoy our goats now, although I am still the milker. Have fun, the think I always tell new people, if you keep watch you will know if you have a problem. If she doesn't have a problem, you might have a big surprise. First fresheners still occasionally surprise me.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), January 09, 2001.

Hey, this is way cool-Stacy posted in the latest "Where are you?", that she is in Windsor, NY! I was born and raised there, and am currently in Binghamton! I love this forum! Hi, Stacy!! Maybe you'll end up my goat mentor!

-- Cathy in NY (hrnofplnty@yahoo.com), January 09, 2001.

Well, Fiona (the Nubian goat) has been here two days, and she has bleated nonstop the whole time. She's hoarse! My Thoroughbred mare hates her guts, and went off her feed the first night. The mare is settling down but Fiona is not. The gelding ignores her but he's been around goats at County Fairs. Fiona is off her feed too. I bought Blue Seal Caprine Special for her at the feed store and started her with just a cup. She did eventually eat it but I'm used to animals scarfing down their food. Tonight I added two rehydrated alfalfa cubes (made with warm water) to her cup of feed. She didn't eat it right away. She's an only goat right now so when I'm in the barn doing chores and such I let her out and she follows me everywhere. My hubby feel absolutely in love with her already (he wants to get another one). When he's outside he lets her tag along too.

Well, I need to know if there is anything I can do to make Fiona feel more at home and get her eating better? Also, I need to worm her. She's bred so what should I use? I'll be giving shots to the horses soon, what shots do goats need? I give my own shots except for Rabies, I need a Vet paper trail for those because we show.

Thanks for all your help.

Stacy Rohan- in Windsor NY where it's very cold and snowing.

-- Stacy Rohan (KincoraFarm@aol.com), January 10, 2001.

We had the same problem with our first nubian goat- of yelling till he was hoarse- and beyond. He was an only too- for 2 days that is. We quickly went and bought another goat for our sakes as well as his.He was as happy as could be after that.

-- Kari (prettyhere@truevine.net), January 11, 2001.

Hi,Stacy My name is Karl Frost,I,m a member of Central N.Y.Dairy Goat Society. We,re almost neighbors. We live in a small town just outside of Cortland,called Truxton We moved up here seven years ago from central N.J. We,ve been breeding goats for about fifteen years now .Our kids are in the 4-H, in Cortland Co. I would suggest that you check out your local Extension Agency and see what info they might have.Also, I would recomend a book by Dr mary Smith ,Goat Medicine. You might want to look at It first,as It Is a little pricy,and perhaps a little advanced for the beginner, but none the less,an excellent book. If you have goat questions,and don,t mind a phone bill please call. Karl or Alison Frost 607-842-6799 Also, we have seven nubian does due in a few weeks,all registered. We also might have an adult doe for sale. As for your doe.Did you mark your calendar?As the day comes near,keep your eye on her.Watch for changes in her mood.Check her rear end for any licquid leaking.Once you see that,get the towels ready,It won,t be long. I reccomend takeing the kid from the mother at birth ,but it depends on what you want to do with them. Good Luck KF

-- Karl Frost (Frostym @swns.net), January 11, 2001.

The best thing you could do for your goat is to get her a friend. (another goat). They don't do well as "only children".

-- Mary R. (cntryfolk@ime.net), January 12, 2001.

Stacy; Congratulations on your new status as Nubian Owner. They are wonderful animals. Here is a great on line resource for goats: http://cybergoat.com/ This site is a general resource for all breeds. I would also encourage and invite you to join NubianTalk, an online email group of Nubian breeders/owners at http://www.egroups.com/subscribe.cgi/NubianTalk We would love to hear from you. We have been raising Nubians for the past three + years. Visit our herd at http://www.sundaycreek.com/nubians.htm I have some general information there and would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Skip

-- Skip Walton (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), January 13, 2001.

A must-have for any new goat keeper is "Your Goats: A Kid's Guide to Raising and Showing." Got me through 1st time kidding quite well. Publisher is Storey Books. ISBN is 0-88266-825-0. Also, contact local 4-H and find Dairy Goat Superintendent in your area. If they're not as thrilled as was the one in our area to have a captive audience with whom to share their wisdom, perhaps they would tell you a local who would be. Mostly, goat people I've met are quite happy to teach and help a newcomer. A good general goat health guidebook is "Goat Health Handbook" by Thomas Thedford, DVM. Both these books have good info on what to do in difficult birth situations. Good luck and have fun with your growing herd! Pat.

-- Pat Johnstone (patjstones@scican.net), January 15, 2001.