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pinkcow · Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Posts: 30

Hi all

Just looking for some advice on the best way to wean our two twin kids from their mother, we want to get her covered again and as far as I know she wont come into season as long as she is still being suckled by the youngsters. (I could be wrong, feel free to tell me Very Happy

). We want to keep the youngsters as they are pygmy/alpine crosses and eventually we want to breed from them as well. Not sure how far away I should keep the kids from the mother while they are being weaned or for how long, although the place is well fenced they do have a knack of finding a way out if not happy and I dont want them running through neighbours gardens looking for their mum Rolling Eyes

. Also if they are re-introduced back with the mum after weaning will she begin to produce milk again, had this problem once with a horse, weaned and separated for 6 months, she dried up but as soon as he went back into the field with her... milk Confused

Thanks in advance for any advice

Bríd Razz

phil · Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:50 pm Post subject:

How old are they, are they eating corn.

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Providing your Nanny has the company of other goats the kids dont have to be completely out of ear shot. It is kinder to do so though. My cousin who is a commercial goat breeder just removes the kids to a pen at the other end of the shed with no problems. How old are your kids. I have found that kids removed too early never do well. I wean my kids at about four months. At this age they would have already been helping themselves to their dams rations, and should be fed the same rations but smaller portions of course. I would also give them a bottle of milk once a day for a while. I do not feed much barley to young stock but make up a ration of flaked maze, rolled oats, and a horse ration mix called "cool an easy". The most important thing is that rations are altered slowly to avoid the dreaded scour. Good luck.
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pinkcow · Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Posts: 30

Thanks guys

The kids are over five months old and eating separately from their mum at feeding time, we feed them cool and cooked which is a mixed feed for horses and after many experiments the only feed they seem to like, how long should they be kept apart from the dam and when can they be reintroduced to the herd, including the dam, as they are all wintered together inside. Also should I do anything to the dam to prevent mastitis

Thanks again

Bríd

phil · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:16 am Post subject:

I thought goats only came into season over the winter, even if they are being milked or suckled.

pinkcow · Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Posts: 30

Well from what I read 'Most goats are fall breeders and will come into heat during the months of September thru February. Doe,s experience estrus or come into heat about every 18-22 days during that period.'

But what Im unsure of is do they come on heat while they are being suckled, I thought this would prevent them from coming on heat as in the wild the buck goat would chase the young away. thus causing the female to want to mate again.

Otherwise Id leave the youngsters with her, any advice??

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Weather they do or not it is not a good idea to have your Doe mated while she is suckling. She should be weaned now and given half normal rations plus all the straw she wants. This will aid her drying up. You could let the kids suckle her for a short time in the evening which will give her some relief but keep the kids away from her the rest of the time. Once she has dried up you should keep her on a meager ration until about a month before you intend to get her mated. Then gradually increase her concentrate ration. As she improves in condition she will come into season and then can be mated. Goats are tough old things but their rations are a bit of a balancing act. As too how long you should keep the kids away from her. Once she has dried up she will not want them fussing around her and they should take their place in the herd without much trouble. Good luck.
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phil · Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:12 pm Post subject:

Can a goat be dried up with tubes like a cow, or do you have to let it happen naturally.

pinkcow · Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Posts: 30

thanks guys gonna get started on weaning them next week

Bríd Razz

wayland · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 1171 Location: Campile. Wexford

Phil. I have no idea mate. We just let nature take its course.

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