Blind baby goat, tips on raising?

[Ozarkhomesteader]

Hello all. I am back after a very long hiatus with a question. I have been on other thread for livestock getting opinions but thought I might as well see if someone here had any ideas.

So, 2 weeks ago our oldest goat gave birth to a tiny single baby. She was slightly premature and very weak at birth, and couldn't stand up and nurse on her own for the first week. Her mom is very patient, and let us feed her straight from the udder, saving us from having to bottle feed her. We almost lost her many times, and I honestly didn't think she would survive. But, here we are 2 weeks in and she is getting stronger every day!

However, now that she is moving around, we realize she was born completely blind. She bumps into things and when a flashlight is shown into her eyes, there is no dialation. She is very responsive to sound and is quickly learning to follow my voice when I say her name. She is the cutest little kiddo ever, and I have completely fallen in love with her.

So, has anyone had any experience with this? or even other blind livestock youve had to deal with? How do you raise a blind goat? Any tips on keeping her safe and happy?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Gray Farms]

I've had blind goats in the past. I buy them every time I see one at an auction. In hopes to give them longer life rather than ending up at the slaughterhouse. I've found they do best in separate pens with a "seeing eye goat" buddy. They learn to follow their buddy around to food, water, and shelter.

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

I've had blind goats in the past. I buy them every time I see one at an auction. In hopes to give them longer life rather than ending up at the slaughterhouse. I've found they do best in separate pens with a "seeing eye goat" buddy. They learn to follow their buddy around to food, water, and shelter.

Thank you for replying! My goodness. If I ever went to an auction I would come home with way too many animals. I'm a total sucker for injured, sick, or helpless animals. Good job helping those guys out!

That would make sense having them in a separate pen. I'm guessing that she probably won't do good going out to pasture? Too much of a changing environment to learn their way around.
How would I go about finding her a buddy? I only have 3 other goats. I do have one older one that is bullied by my other two. Maybe once she is older I can try to keep them together? Or do you think it would be better to find another one that is closer to her age?

 

[Gray Farms]

Out to pasture would be bad. A separate pen for just the two about a 1/4 acre or so would be good. And as level of terrain as possible. No ditches or large holes. I'd find another goat about the same age or size "once she is weaned off momma". Preferably the same breed, just so you know they will mature to the same size mostly.

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

Out to pasture would be bad. A separate pen for just the two about a 1/4 acre or so would be good. And as level of terrain as possible. No ditches or large holes. I'd find another goat about the same age or size "once she is weaned off momma". Preferably the same breed, just so you know they will mature to the same size mostly.

That's what I thought. Guess I'll just have to go and get food from the pasture and bring it right to her!
So, I suppose the same breed would be best? Space is a bit of an issue, so I was wondering if maybe a mini goat would work? or you think they would have trouble bonding?

 

[cassie]

I once had a kid that was blind. When you shone a flashlight into her eyes you could see that several structures were missing. I gave her to someone for a pet. They had her in a pen about 25' X 25' and she learned where the boundaries were and where the food and water were in very short order. I had a friend who owned a blind steer. This steer got along just fine in a small pasture. He followed the other cattle around. You might find this of interest. In the 1870's there was a very famous pacing horse named Sleepy Tom. He won many races in spite of the fact that he was stone blind. You can look him up on google if want to know more.

 

[Gray Farms]

That's what I thought. Guess I'll just have to go and get food from the pasture and bring it right to her!
So, I suppose the same breed would be best? Space is a bit of an issue, so I was wondering if maybe a mini goat would work? or you think they would have trouble bonding?

Goats are very social animals so they will bond with just about anything. Breed doesn't really matter I was just thinking something about the same size. But it doesn't really matter to much.

 

[anna-newhampshire]

I bought five quails as pets last month. One of them pecks at air non-stop and is rather uncoordinated. I soon realized she is actually blind. Very resourceful, finds the food listening where the others peck, does perimeter checks when moved to a new place etc. All the pecking at air is to orient herself, like a blind person with a walking stick. She only needs minimal additional care, like hand-feeding occasionally.
Very likely your little goat is gonna be ok with minor precautions on your part.
All the best.

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

I once had a kid that was blind. When you shone a flashlight into her eyes you could see that several structures were missing. I gave her to someone for a pet. They had her in a pen about 25' X 25' and she learned where the boundaries were and where the food and water were in very short order. I had a friend who owned a blind steer. This steer got along just fine in a small pasture. He followed the other cattle around. You might find this of interest. In the 1870's there was a very famous pacing horse named Sleepy Tom. He won many races in spite of the fact that he was stone blind. You can look him up on google if want to know more.

Wow! That is pretty interesting about the race horse. Pretty amazing really. Good to know! Thanks for the input!

Goats are very social animals so they will bond with just about anything. Breed doesn't really matter I was just thinking something about the same size. But it doesn't really matter to much.

Awesome, thanks!

I bought five quails as pets last month. One of them pecks at air non-stop and is rather uncoordinated. I soon realized she is actually blind. Very resourceful, finds the food listening where the others peck, does perimeter checks when moved to a new place etc. All the pecking at air is to orient herself, like a blind person with a walking stick. She only needs minimal additional care, like hand-feeding occasionally.
Very likely your little goat is gonna be ok with minor precautions on your part.
All the best.

That's interesting, smart little girl! Thanks for the encouragement! Good luck with your little quail too!