Goat-Info.com

 

Disclaimer : I am not a vet. Although I may suggest medications, dosages, and treatments for animals, you should always have a vet, use a vet, and consult a vet.

 

HOME

Goat 101 - Time Line

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2011

This is a down and dirty time line from birth to post kidding.  This is what we do here, we have had great success with this process and hope it might help you as well.  It has taken us many years to develop a routine that seems to work with minimal issues(although there are always some issues regardless of what you do).

Birth
- immediately after birth - check genitalia [1 vulva or 2 descended testicles, 2 teats(yes for bucks too)], be sure doe has colostrum(clear teat plug), be sure kid has suckling reflex, be sure kid finds teat and latches on)
- 24 hrs old - pull from dam
- bottle feed
- administer BoSe if needed
- Disbud @ 3-10 days old
- creep feed (medicated pellet with AC)
- 3 wks be on look out for cocci
- 4 wks first deworming
- CD&T shots @ 3 wks and booster @ 6wks

8 Weeks
- wean
- separate boys and girls
- continue creep feed
- trim hooves (check hooves every time you handle goat from now on)
-move girls to "nursery pen" with adult does/ move boys to "baby buck pen"
-deworm

Once a month (until 1 yr old)
- deworm
- trim hooves if needed
-continue creep feed (until 6-8 months)

6 months
- enter into copper and selenium (BoSe) rotational bolus program

8-10 months
-evaluate does for breeding (size, condition, confirmation, etc..)
- begin determining what buck to breed to doe
- start giving buck a doe or two to play with (adult doe/ test crop)

1 yr old
- deworm
- evaluate size, condition, confirmation, ect...
- determine if animal fits into your breeding goals
- yearling enters hoof trimming rotation (at least quarterly)

30 days pre-kidding
- dose BoSe
- dose CD&T

13-17 months
- evaluation of bucks "test crop"
- evaluation of does kids, birthing performance, udder, condition, milk production, etc...
- determine if animal still fits into breeding goals

Post kidding
- deworm (stomach worms & tape worms)
- move to "nursery pen" for milking and reconditioning for rebreeding
- trim hooves
- by this time the bucks will be in a "breeding pen" or "buck pen"
- 2-7 months later rebreed


Other notes:
- check hooves regularly
- watch for "dog logs"
- become familiar with signs of imminent kidding
- check for lice, mites, fly bites, stings, etc...
- put your hands on your goats. know their body condition
- loose minerals!
- loose minerals! (did I already say that?)
- good pelleted GOAT feed (with AC for boys)
- know your herd, is someone not acting right?
  All of these things are very helpful in keeping small issues from becoming emergencies or deaths!

HOME