[mmahamilton]

This spring my daughter talked me into letting her do a goat project for 4H. At the time I knew absolutely nothing abt goats. We started with a Nigerian Dwarf buckling and then a week or so latter I got a Toggenburg buckling for $35 so the first one would have a friend. Well I should have know better than get a bargain animal. He was covered in manure from diarrhea, malnourished, had a severe parasite overload, had pink eye,a fever and severe pneumonia in both lungs. When our vet saw him she wanted the info of the person we bought him from. Needless to say I was thrown into the deep end in regards to goats and I had to learn a lot real quick! All spring I was either medicating or going to the weekly vet check appt. with my little Toggenburg that I named Toby. I was pleasantly surprised when he got second place Dairy Wether and our Nigerian Dwarf (Pee Wee) got Reserve Grand Champion Dairy Wether. Now I have questions about the toggenburg breed like how large do wethers get? Is it closer to the size of a doe or a buck or somewhere in between? How hard is it to train them to drive/pull a cart...I've heard they can be stubborn. Do they sometimes have cream colored stockings or is that a copper deficiency? It just seems like the more I learn about goats the more in over the head I feel.

Thanks in advance to any replies.

 

[ksalvagno]

Wethers generally get to be male size. Of course there is no guarantee.

 

[NigerianDwarfOwner707]

I’d say right in between a doe and a buck.

 

[NigerianDwarfOwner707]

Cart question: @Damfino

 

[Damfino]

It's fun to train goats to pull carts! We have a couple of cart pullers right now. I don't think it's too difficult as long as you're consistent with the training and take plenty of time to offer rewards for good behavior. It's hard to know how big your Togg will get since it sounds like he had a rough start (good job helping him overcome all those health problems!). He may end up a bit stunted, but even so he should be able to haul his fair share. If you decided to train him to pull, keep us posted on his progress! I love to hear about other people's experiences driving goats! I've written a couple of articles on harnessing, hitching, and training if you are interested.

 

[MellonFriend]

Do they sometimes have cream colored stockings or is that a copper deficiency? It just seems like the more I learn about goats the more in over the head I feel.

Thanks in advance to any replies.

Welcome to the goat spot by the way! This is a great place to help with that in over your head feeling.
Some pictures might help members on here determine whether your boy is copper deficient or not.

 

[Goats Rock]

Congratulations on overcoming all the hurdles thrown at you with your goats! Toggies are wonderful goats. The wethers are so great! No breeding pressure so they concentrate on being happy goats!

They can be stubborn, but that is usually because they are confused as to what you want from them. (And I think they might be a little smarter than other types, like a pony is smarter than a horse, at times).

 

[Tanya]

Please send us some pictures. I would love to see them.

 

[mmahamilton]

Here are some pictures of the boys.

 

[mmahamilton]

Toby is 5 1/2 months old and Pee Wee is 6 1/2 months old. The stockings on Toby seem more off white to me and I asked the vet if I should give copper but she said not to and it is not and issue in our area. She actually is a vet that specializes in goats and I feel bad for second guessing her.

 

[Tanya]

They are beautiful. You are fortunate to have a goat vet. Do you have free access minerals? If your gut says to have things available then put it out. I found that my two babies eat only what they need.

 

[MellonFriend]

Wow I think Toby looks very shiny and good! My bucks have white legs that are sometimes cream, and I do think copper helps them look whiter, but with how shiny and nice his coat looks I wouldn't do it yet if I were you. He just looks great to me.

 

[mmahamilton]

They have free access to minerals and I also give calf mana mixed in with their Timothy pellets every morning. The only thing is that we have very hard water due to all the limestone in the area.

 

[MellonFriend]

Well, calcium in hard water can inhibit copper, so while copper might not be deficient in your area in general, I would definitely keep an eye out.

How aware of urinary calculi prevention are you?

 

[mmahamilton]

I’ve been giving feed with ammonia chloride occasionally just as a preventive. Since they are wethers I’ve been watching for any sign of stones...I also keep bunnies and I am use to watching for them. I am planning on getting some of the ammonia chloride powder but I’m not sure of how much to give and how often. At some point when I have time I need to hook up a water filter to their water tank. So many projects and so little time!

 

[NigerianDwarfOwner707]

Check out my UC thread! http://www.thegoatspot.net/threads/urinary-calculi-treatment-analysis-myths-and-tips.215929/

 

[MellonFriend]

:up: I was just about to suggest that. That's such a good thread.

 

[NigerianDwarfOwner707]

:up: I was just about to suggest that. That's such a good thread.

Thanks!! Hugs! <3

 

[happybleats]

Your boys are beautiful!! I hate that you got started on such a raw note but Thank God Toby landed in your lap.
You can add Ammonium chloride to their water daily.

 

[mmahamilton]

Is there a dosage for ammonium chloride? I did read the UC thread last night and it was very informative!

On another note I just got my pulling harness for Toby and I tried it out this past weekend. I was able to adjust it to fit reasonable well...he still needs to grow into it a bit. He really surprised me at how well he did with it. No drama at all! He let me lead him around for about 15min. Right now I'm just trying to get him accustomed to the harness and I don't plan on attaching anything for quite a while. Is there any place to get a good halter? I can't find any that seem to fit right. The goat/sheep halters rub just under his eyes. A suckling horse halter fits better but it is a little too big. Would a miniature horse halter work better?

I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind comments!