Finally....Goatie pics!

IZZY · Finally....Goatie pics!

Here are the boys with their gals...

and the newborns....

A few hours after birth...

Jenny...Glad it's all over and done with...

And Nana...who seems to want no part of it.....

McBunz

My oh my... cute kids.. all four of them. Thanks for the pictures..

Your boys look like they could be a handful. I see mischief written all over them..

IZZY

You have no idea....

IZZY

Does Nana look preggy to any of you?....or am I just kidding myself?

Joyce

Oh those kids are adorable!!

All of them LOL

IZZY

The little whit ones name is Squeaker and My son named the black one Mercedes, the racing goat

Joyce

Your kids? Which white one?

Sorry just kidding.
Do you give your goats those copper boulces? ( not sure on spelling)
I think they are actually made for cattle, but one can be broken open and will do about five dwarfs. They did a study and instead of once a year, they give them every three months and really noticed how much brighter the colors were. I just bought some and am going to try them. My Molly is looking faded.

IZZY

No...I never herd of them. hmmm, I'll have to check it out. I have been giving them Goatex grain. I went to the feed store and asked for a good goat grain and they said that was the only stuff they had ....but they didn't know what it was for

So much for asking the staff for help.
They also have a brown salt block, and lots of hay of course

The little ones now have little horns popping up. They feel so cute. I can't bring myself to burn them though

I remember when I was a kid, the next door neighbour would come over to do the job, and I still remember them screaming

I checked into what the farmer down the road did ( remember I had mentioned the elastic bands? ) It did the job, but made an ugly mess of things, the ends were all twisted and sharp. So now I am out of ideas. Is there a way to so it so they can't feel the pain?

Joyce

I can't remember which the bands were for, their horns or the other end?

When I took the first kids to the vet for him to burn the horns, he didn't get the job done. Then he asked if he could lazor them, an experiment. That didn't work either. They did give them something so they wouldn't feel it though. I have to find a vet that really knows about goats.
I read somewhere that they can't get enough from the blocks, to give them free choice loose minerals. Now I just give them both to be sure.

I also have Thorvine sp? kelp free choice. It supposedly has just about everything a goat needs in it. The kids were eating it before they started eating grain. They love it, and helps increase moms milk, which is what I'm looking for right now. I want to start making soap again.

IZZY

Ooo, you make home made soap? I love home made soap, I had a friend who made it, I always bought it from her. She moved away (far away) and has no power where she lives, so I can't get it anymore

I thought it would be fun to make , but I have no idea what to do

MMMMM, you know what else is good ...Goats milk yogurt, made with fresh strawberries from the garden. mMy mom used to make it when I was a kid. My mouth is starting to water now....

Thanks for the info on the minerals, I'm going to pick some up next time I go to town

Joyce

It's really just a hobby. I am chemical sensitive so I make what I can for myself, family and friends who want it. All kinds of recipies on websites. Everybody seems to be doing it now. Not as many doing it a few years back. Now they have short cuts for making the soap.
I did make yogurt with goats milk last year, when I was milking the girls.
And yes with Strawberries, that was my favorite!

Oh you're welcome about the minerals.

I've been giving them kelp too. I copy/pasted the info they claim the kelp helps just incase you want to read it. I give free choice to goats, horses, dogs and chickens
I just ordered more. Hoegger Goat Supply :: Supplements :: Thorvin Kelp (12 lbs.)

Thorvin Kelp (12 lbs.) #3484
Thorvin Kelp (Certified Organic)
You can help regulate metabolism, improve feed utilization, reduce or eliminate breeding problems and improve overall milk production. Organic, food grade Thorvin Kelp is a rich source of 60 essential minerals and elements, 21 amino acids and 12 vitamins (including A, C, thiamin, and E). Provides the iodine necessary for health and vitality. Low temp drying insures the proper moisture level for vitamin and amino acid stability and easy digestion and assimilation. Economical to use: 1-2% of the feed ration costs pennies a day. The ideal natural, organic supplement for ALL your animals, even cats and dogs. Kelp is also an excellent organic soil conditioner. When mixed into the soil in early spring and fall at a rate 1 lb. per 100 sq. ft., or 300 lbs. per acre for improved microbial activity, reduced nutrient leaching, increased water retention and improved soil fertility. With continued use you will notice the soil become more crumbly, lighter in texture and darker in color. You will also see healthier-looking, disease-resistant crops. Thorvin Kelp is a perfect, natural all-around supplement with no chemical additives.

IZZY

OO, I'll have to grab some. Sounds like good stuff. I didn't know you could add that kinda thing to the soil as well. we have a clay sand mix here so I think it would do us some good. We are planting opasture in the spring, I'm gonna give it a whirl.

thank ya

Joyce

Your welcome. I have never tried it in the soil. This soil here really has to be worked. I loved it in Wisconsin better. You just throw it on the ground and it grows up there LOL

pyrgirl

Be sure to feed the kelp free choice and don't mix it in with their grain.
It is possible to develop a severe overdose of iodine from the kelp.
My goats were fine with it, and the minis, too, but the big horse had a real reaction to it. Developed cresty neck, pre-laminitis, and low low thyroid.
I've since read about others who had bad reactions and some had to be put down as a result. It's good stuff, but powerful and you need to let the animals decide if they need it. I don't feed it any more since I know I get a big iodine imbalance.

Joyce

Yes that's true! I notice when I first put it out " free choice " they eat it like crazy, but then they slow down. I let it run out for a bit and then put it free choice again. I am counting on they know when and if they need it.

It helps my girls milk production too I think. Been making soap since yesterday. Used fresh goats milk instead of powdered stuff from store.

pyrgirl