Baby Goat Care & Maintenance

[SmithsCoop41]

Good Afternoon everyone,

Well, I posted previously about acclimating & introducing a 3-year old pygmy billy goat that I purchased to my Nubian mix nanny goat who is probably around 2 years old. Well.....I've decided to go a different route. I contacted the previous owner of the billy goat over the weekend and asked if they would like him back, to no fault of his own. They didn't really want to sell him anyway, I could tell they really loved this little fellow. So, they said yes, that they would love to have him back. I told them he wasn't an issue at all, just decided a baby goat would probably be best for me, since I'm still learning mode. And I know some of y'all may be thinking that a baby goat may be more challenging and demanding than a grown goat. I'm talking more or less about the whole reproduction/birthing scene....I decided I'm not quite ready for that, and need to dip my hooves (lol) in some more learning before I go for that. So...I purchased a baby buckling yesterday, 8 weeks old, pygmy/dwarf mix. Beings I'm still learning, I researched the whole baby goat/food/needs thing, and how much to feed them, etc. Well, I found out that you have to feed them by how much they weigh, and be careful not to overfeed them as it can cause issues. Previous owner said maybe 10 lbs give or take. She also told me that it was still drinking milk from mama but also eating hay, bermuda hay. So me and my mom brought him home and I gave him a bath (Mr. Stinky) LOL, made sure to keep the water warm, but not scalding hot, dried him off and put my mama's boston terrier's old christmas pajamas from last year as Buster out-grew them. I ran across online that you could give them cow milk from the store, but it has to be warm. Well, I had already gotten that on the way home, so preceded to feed him, he acted like he didn't really want it, wasn't interested. So, I gave it a rest for a while. Well, little while later, I was sitting on the couch with him on my lap. He started sniffing my finger, licking, and then eventually trying to suckle on my finger. So, I was like, "okay, maybe he's ready to try the bottle again". (Also, got a regular baby bottle with standard longer-type nipple, but also got a wider-type nipple as that's what it said they do better with, when I looked it up online. So, he started drinking from the bottle!!! Okay, so that's a big plus, because I was dreading the challenge of getting him used to it, since I figured the previous owner probably didn't ever really need to, since they had the mama. Well, he did drink from the bottle, but it didn't seem like he drank that much....maybe.....like an ounce? Isn't 8-week old buckings supposed to eat more than that at that age?

So, the reason for my post is:

Can someone please point me in the right direction for successfully raising a healthy baby buckling? I'm still learning and still very much a green horn with the whole goat raising. These are the things I know so far: I know you never give them cold milk, it has to be warm, and never warmed up in the microwave! At the age he is currently, it is perfectly fine to start giving hay, but can be introduced as young as 2-3 weeks old (going by online). If I am wrong with anything I just typed out, please let me know. I promise I will not take offense. I just want to learn what the best care for my baby is, so he can continue to be strong and healthy, and what I need to do to keep him there. I will add however, that I did ask the previous owner if he had been vaccinated, to which they said no, they don't vaccinate theirs (for whatever reason), I didn't ask why. Which lead me to another question: What vaccinations do baby goats need and when do they need them, and are there some that they absolutely positively need, and are there others that they can do without, but maybe owner prefers to administer those also?
And if these vaccinations can be bought from feed and seed store, or if have to be given by vet. I noticed yesterday he sounded like he was grinding his teeth, which usually means, from what i've read, that they're in some sort of pain, but he acted fine other than that, other than your typical shy, skittish, reserved, until he gets used to his new home. I will also add that, he is pooping and peeing fine, normal little "raisinettes" LOL He looked like he made have had a little bit of lice in his fur when I was drying him, but they looked dead. Can you put diatomaceous earth on him for that? He is only 8 weeks old. How young can stuff like be put on them, if you can use it on them?
Any information, any tips, advice, do's and don'ts will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

P.S. Picture of my adorable little blue-eyed munchkin, "Remi", short for Remington LOL

Signed,
An anxious and nervous, still green-horned, fellow goat mama

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would not be giving it milk. Give it free choice grass hay. Perhaps a handful or two of a goat ration formulated fro growing kids. I would be careful feeding grains, or doing any big dietary changes. The teeth grinding is sometimes from digestive pain. I always provide free choice baking soda to prevent acidosis.

The main vaccines given are for tetanus, and Clostridium C &D. Used to be you could find them at the feed store. I'm not sure if you still can or not. I don't mine.

 

[SmithsCoop41]

I would not be giving it milk. Give it free choice grass hay. Perhaps a handful or two of a goat ration formulated fro growing kids. I would be careful feeding grains, or doing any big dietary changes. The teeth grinding is sometimes from digestive pain. I always provide free choice baking soda to prevent acidosis.

The main vaccines given are for tetanus, and Clostridium C &D. Used to be you could find them at the feed store. I'm not sure if you still can or not. I don't mine.

Ok, thank you so much for the direct, to-the-point, and much appreciated info! That's how I like people to be. That way not a whole lot of time is wasted on either parties account. I will call my local feed and seed store to see if they have any of those vaccinations, cause I'm sure hoping I don't have to go through the whole process of finding a vet in my area that sees goats. Thank you again, and I will see what I can find out.

 

[SmithsCoop41]

Update: I called my local TSC and they have (1) bottle of the clostridium C&D Vaccine. I was thinking the Tetanus vaccine was a whole other vaccine from the Clostridium C & D vaccine, but it is the same vaccine that treats both Clostridium C&D, and Tetanus. About $13.00 at TSC. I plan on going after I get off work to get it, if they still have the one bottle that was on the shelf around lunch time. Fingers crossed and hoping they still have it when I get off in a bit.
Thank you for all of the information, it was a great help and definitely a time saver, alot faster than spending all that time back and forth researching it online.

Thank you, and have a blessed day!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Ok, thank you so much for the direct, to-the-point, and much appreciated info! That's how I like people to be. That way not a whole lot of time is wasted on either parties account. I will call my local feed and seed store to see if they have any of those vaccinations, cause I'm sure hoping I don't have to go through the whole process of finding a vet in my area that sees goats. Thank you again, and I will see what I can find out.

Sorry if I sounded too direct. That wasn't my intentions. You could probably feed a small amount of milk, but it isn't necessary. Many wean kids at that age. I personally wouldn't. I've bought kids, and sold kids at 8 weeks, and they all do okay on hay, and a small amount of ration.

Hopefully you can find a vet. Around here it's difficult. They aren't pets, and they aren't large animal, so sometimes you can't find anyone.

 

[SmithsCoop41]

You said they all do okay on hay, and a small amount of....
Looks like the rest of that sentence may have gotten cut off. Was it supposed to read Hay and a small amount of milk? I assume that's what it was supposed to say since that's what we were talking about.
Also, you don't have to apologize for being direct. I prefer for folks to be that way, that way there's no room for miscommunication lol

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You said they all do okay on hay, and a small amount of....
Looks like the rest of that sentence may have gotten cut off. Was it supposed to read Hay and a small amount of milk? I assume that's what it was supposed to say since that's what we were talking about.
Also, you don't have to apologize for being direct. I prefer for folks to be that way, that way there's no room for miscommunication lol

I meant ration. I used to use a sweet 16 ration. They do make actual goat rations. The kids seem to take to the sweetness in the sweet 16 so that's why I used it.

As long as you aren't seeing any digestive upset from the milk you can continue with it, and slowly cut it down or out in the next month. A goat his size and age I'd probably feed 6-8 oz one or twice a day.

 

[SmithsCoop41]

I meant ration. I used to use a sweet 16 ration. They do make actual goat rations. The kids seem to take to the sweetness in the sweet 16 so that's why I used it.

As long as you aren't seeing any digestive upset from the milk you can continue with it, and slowly cut it down or out in the next month. A goat his size and age I'd probably feed 6-8 oz one or twice a day.

Ok. Yeah, I have been trying to transition him to just water, and I was very concerned for a bit because I'm not there during the day, my mother-in-law and mother are, but they probably don't pay as close attention to him as I would (haha). I have "graduated" him from the crate I was keeping him in, to a wire "puppy play pen" type set-up. It's just more or less to keep him corralled during the day so he can be out of the crate and have a little more room to move around in. My mother-in-law and mama got tickled at him the other day, mother-in-law had to put him in the living room with them because he kept calling for me, so that's where he's currently at during the day so he can see them and I guess he's okay then, until I get home, and I let him out. I like that little corralling pen very much (haha), comes in handy alot because it can be moved very easily and shaped however and sized however. At night I downsize it to a smaller area in our bedroom and he is perfectly content....as long as he can see/hear me lol. He's such a little love bug. I have fallen in love for sure! Anywhoooo...lol Thank you for the information and the advice. It sure helps this ole green-horn out a whole lot! He has for the most part been eating hay with a handful of goat feed when I leave in the morning and when I get home I feed him again. I did give him some milk yesterday at lunch because I wasn't sure how much water he had drank. Other than that, I did see him drink some water last night when he was eating the hay & pellets, which made me feel relieved.
Thank you again, and have a very blessed day!

 

[SmithsCoop41]

Also, do goats have to have any vaccines for parvo? My mother-in-law was asking me about it, and I told her I didn't know, but is a good question.

 

[arianna7]

It sounds like you’re doing a great job so far with your new baby buckling! Here are some tips and answers to your questions to help you raise a healthy goat:

Feeding​

1. Milk: At 8 weeks old, a buckling should ideally be consuming about 1 to 2 ounces of milk per feeding, several times a day. Since he's used to drinking from his mother, he may take some time to adjust to the bottle. If he seems uninterested, try offering milk at a slightly warmer temperature or using a different nipple that he might prefer.
2. Hay: It's great that you know he can start eating hay. Bermuda hay is a good choice. You can introduce small amounts of hay gradually, and he should be eating it alongside milk.
3. Grains: You can start introducing a small amount of goat feed or grain formulated for young goats as he gets older, typically around 3 months.

Vaccinations​

1. Core Vaccines: Baby goats should receive vaccinations for:
   • CDT (Clostridium perfringens type C and D and Tetanus): This is usually given at 6-8 weeks, with a booster at 10-12 weeks.
2. Consult a Vet: It's best to consult with a veterinarian about vaccinations. Some vaccines may need to be administered by a vet, while others can be purchased at feed stores.

Health Concerns​

1. Teeth Grinding: This can indicate discomfort or pain. Monitor his behavior closely. If it continues or he shows signs of distress, consult a vet.
2. Lice: Diatomaceous earth can be used, but it's essential to ensure it’s food grade and safe for young goats. However, it’s best to consult a vet before applying anything to ensure it’s safe for an 8-week-old.

General Care Tips​

1. Socialization: Spend time with him to help him feel comfortable and secure in his new environment. Goats are social animals, so consider getting a companion goat if possible.
2. Shelter: Ensure he has a warm, dry place to stay, especially during colder weather.
3. Hydration: Make sure he has access to fresh water at all times.
4. Observation: Keep an eye on his poop and overall behavior. Normal droppings are small, round pellets (like raisins), as you mentioned.
5. Handling: Handle him regularly to help him get used to human interaction and to make future veterinary care easier.

Resources​

• Books & Online Forums: Look for resources specifically about goat care. Websites and forums can provide great community support and advice.
• Local Farmers: Connecting with local goat owners can also provide valuable insights and tips.

Feel free to ask more questions as you continue your journey in goat raising! Good luck with your little buckling!