So New. So Clueless.

3521 Views 64 Replies 13 Participants Last post by toth boer goats, Jun 14, 2021

Aunt Angus

Discussion Starter · Apr 26, 2021

Howdy. Brand new to the world of goats. I just acquired four 4 month old doelings (mixes of nubian, nigerian, and boer), dam raised. So far, things are going well, but I am worried about... well... everything!

Right now, it's health checks. I don't expect the little darlings to be used to me yet. They've been on our property for just a week. But I don't exactly know how to do health checks on them when they are so skittish. I could catch them, but that'd just make them even more terrified of me. My worry is I'll miss something important, like a significant health issue, while waiting for them to warm up to me. They'll need vaccines, worm checks, hoof maintenance, etc. They won't let me touch them.

Any advice? Or should I just calm down?

TIA!

PS: I did a forum search first, but couldn't find what I was looking for.

Reactions: 5

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Moers kiko boars

· #2 · Apr 26, 2021 (Edited)

Hi Welcome to TGS! Glad you are here. Yes.they are fun to get to know. Just be with them everyday. They will get use to you being around them. When I feed mine, i just touch them. Just gently, a stroke. I talk to mine. Like they understand or will answer. It just gets them comfy with you around. Just make sure they are eating, their coats look brushed, no swelling on them, and their poop is pellets. All that can be from a distance. You can read to them. Sit on a lawn chair while they graze. Hold a limb down for them to get some leaves. It just takes a little time.

Reactions: 5

Aunt Angus

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 26, 2021

Thanks for that. I am normally a very patient person. I just keep reading all these HORROR stories about everything that can go wrong, ya know? It's all a bit discouraging and overwhelming.

Calling the vet tomorrow to get them set up with a vaccine schedule. These goats are pets and brushes primarily. I may decide to milk them eventually. We'll see.

Reactions: 5

Lil Boogie

· #4 · Apr 26, 2021

Aunt Angus said:
Thanks for that. I am normally a very patient person. I just keep reading all these HORROR stories about everything that can go wrong, ya know? It's all a bit discouraging and overwhelming.

Calling the vet tomorrow to get them set up with a vaccine schedule. These goats are pets and brushes primarily. I may decide to milk them eventually. We'll see.

Hello there you new person!

Do you have a small pen you could put them in so they cant run far away form you?

Reactions: 3

Lil Boogie

· #5 · Apr 26, 2021

Here. I've been working on this to help people new to goats. Maybe it will help you out some!

the first one is for a baby goat I'm selling but maybe you will learn something form reading it!

See less See more

4

Reactions: 2

GoosegirlAsh

· #6 · Apr 26, 2021

What they said

My buck was shy for awhile when I brought him home. I spent time in the pen with him, talking to him and petting him when he'd let me. The day we really became friends was the day I offered him a few banana slices. I'm careful not to give them treats too often, but mine really love bananas!

This place is a great resource. I'm pretty new here myself, and everyone has been very kind.

Reactions: 5

goathiker

· #7 · Apr 26, 2021

I put on my camouflage jacket and sit on the ground in the pen reading for a few days. They absolutely can't resist coming to try and eat the leaves off the jacket.

Reactions: 5

NigerianNewbie

· #8 · Apr 26, 2021

Welcome to the forum, and to owning goats. Sit inside their enclosure, talk aloud about whatever comes to mind, goats are sort of nosy and they will get closer just to check you out. Wait for them to come to you, it will eventually happen. You are 100% spot on about not chasing them, unless it is positively necessary. When petting them, reach for the areas below the head. Goats sometimes spook when you reach towards or above their heads. Offer them a small hand full of their feed, or pieces of hay, or a treat, and the reward for coming closer is a tasty snack from your hand. It will just take some time and they will get very comfortable with your presence sooner or later.

Reactions: 5

SalteyLove

· #9 · Apr 26, 2021

Did the breeder provide you any records or deworming or vaccinations?

Reactions: 2

toth boer goats

· #10 · Apr 26, 2021

Welcome.

Great advice by all.

Reactions: 2

Aunt Angus

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 27, 2021

I did get info from the breeder. I think I'll be ok. There is a lot to learn. I liken it to having human children, in a way: no matter how much prep you do, you'll never really be prepared.

Now I gotta figure out what to do about all the dang bracken fern growing around here....

Thanks everyone!!!! I really appreciate your advice! I can tell I'm gonna like it here!

Reactions: 2

Tanya

· #12 · Apr 27, 2021

Welcome to THE FORUM. Its a wonderful place. Goats are skittish because they are so liw on the food chain. You are going to ned to work on gaining their trust. They learn through association. So if you are the bringer of treats and gentle touch they will pay you back with hours of fun and soundboard and the odd cuddle. Reading to them teaches them you are not a preditor.

Reactions: 3

Boers4ever

· #13 · Apr 27, 2021

Welcome!! You are doing great. Congratulations on the new does.

goathiker said:
I put on my camouflage jacket and sit on the ground in the pen reading for a few days. They absolutely can't resist coming to try and eat the leaves off the jacket.

Ok so this made me laugh a good bit

!

Reactions: 5

Aunt Angus

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 2, 2021

You all are AWESOME! So far, things have been going pretty smoothly! I got an electric net fence, and we let the girls out for a bit to "train" them to respect it. It went well. We plan to use this to let them forage in new areas around the property and to rotate pastures. They were super happy! Now if I could just figure out the one bully... Time for another forum search!

Reactions: 2

toth boer goats

· #15 · May 2, 2021

Glad things are going well.

What is the bully doing?
Is it when it is feeding time or?

Reactions: 2

Aunt Angus

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 2, 2021

The bully (Nudge) just kind of always goes after the victim (Weezy). She head butts her and chases her all over the place. I had a hard time getting Weezy to go in the goat shed last night. I made a partition in the shed to give her some space, and there's a trough in there with a shelf under it she crawls into sometimes. But Nudge is pretty relentless. They have plenty of space in the yard (over 2000 sq ft and even more when foraging), but they herd together, of course.

I worry because these girls are horned. I don't want Weezy to get injured.

Reactions: 1

Aunt Angus

Discussion Starter · #17 · May 2, 2021

toth boer goats said:
Glad things are going well.

What is the bully doing?
Is it when it is feeding time or?

BTW - Your Boers are gorgeous! I have always loved spotted Boers.

Reactions: 2

toth boer goats

· #18 · May 6, 2021

Aww, why thank you.

Reactions: 2

Fes

· #19 · May 20, 2021

Hello couldn't really find the forum I was looking for I have a 18 month boer goat ans a gurnsey only had them about 2 weeks the gurnsey is absolutely fine comes for food and everything
The boer however is just standing sill not moving around much
I've checked eyes mouth no sign of mucus or inflammation checked inside
Also checked his feaces solid no worms or anything but this morning found what seemed to be a big dog poo but could he a wild animal not sure
No foul smells checked around buts no sign of diarrhoea
No excessive bleating no kicking stomach
Just don't know why he just stands around head down

Fes

· #20 · May 20, 2021

Fes said:
Hello couldn't really find the forum I was looking for I have a 18 month boer goat ans a gurnsey only had them about 2 weeks the gurnsey is absolutely fine comes for food and everything
The boer however is just standing sill not moving around much
I've checked eyes mouth no sign of mucus or inflammation checked inside
Also checked his feaces solid no worms or anything but this morning found what seemed to be a big dog poo but could he a wild animal not sure
No foul smells checked around buts no sign of diarrhoea
No excessive bleating no kicking stomach
Just don't know why he just stands around head down

First time goat keeping more poultry keeper but fancied a go

1 - 20 of 65 Posts

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