Consumption and Real Estate
New goat owner… list items necessary before bringing kids home?
Question : New goat owner… list items necessary before bringing kids home?
I recently moved into my first home in Pearl River La. We have 1.5 acres, and are quite the animal lovers with 3 adopted rat terriers and a cat. We have always liked goats, and been interested in providing our own dairy products for our small family. Now that we have some land this has become a real possibility. With research done we have decided to purchase two Nigerian Dwarf Doelings to begin.
Aside from toys, shelter fence and food what supplies would you consider mandatory to all new goat owners bringing home their first kids? And what if anything can you buy little by little as they are growing. Keep in mind we will not be breeding them until they are 1 year old.
new home owner list
Best answer:
Answer by Sheri W
for kids you just need the basics unless they get sick or something. It is always nice to have Nutra drench and penicillon and peptobismal on hand jsut in case. Other then that if you are going to milk them after you breed them you will want to start thinking of a milk stand ..you can make or buy them. You will also want to think about what you are doing about dehorning. Most people with dairy goats disbud the kids which you can do your self or pay a vet or someone to do.
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Okay, aside from actual housing/fencing/feeders and food (hay and grain) some things you will need:
[I am assuming these will be pets, but I will add some stuff for showing and breeding]
Collars and leads (if there is a pet store that advertises pets allowed in, near by you might have fun bringing your kids in and try on collars) I recommend 2 collars for each goat, one which will break away if they get caught (if your yard has a lot of brush you could skip the collar altogether) and a “choke chain” type collar which you can fasten together with a plastic clip or zip tie (don’t wear it like a choke chain!) for showing or when you need to secure them. these can be the same thing if you use a break away clip on the chain. Just a dog lead will work fine
Bowls for feeding. It seems simple, but it is something which is always forgotten until you get to that point. You want sturdy plastic/metal bowls for feed them grain in.
Mineral Salt block with holder
Hoof trimmers – for trimming hooves
Clippers – won’t need for a while but you will need them if you show and to clip them in the summer to cool them off and reduce parasites
Milkstand – at some point if you are milking you will want this. you can build a simple one yourself but they are invaluable for keeping animals still for treatments/clipping/etc
Brush: nothing is a better bonding activity than brushing (at least I think)
Basic Medical Supplies:
Needles and syringes
If you are getting them from a good breeder they should have vaccinations but if not they will need CD&T shots and should be dewormed. possible selenium but depends on area.
Pro-biotics (if they go off feed)
Electrolytes
Peptobismal
Biomyocin/Exanel/some other wide spectrum antibiotic
Blue kote – this is like antibiotic ointment but its for animals and can be sprayed on any wound (or even umbilical cords on newborns). Also is antifungal
Betadine (need a vet prescription in some states) to clean wounds and sort.
Udder spray/dip if you are milking at some point
Vet wrap – emergency bandages or making splints
Small Drenches can be handy, but turkey basters work in a pinch
For breeding you will need (and these can often be borrowed from a breeder) tatooing supplies, disbudding iron, extra pop bottle nipples and tubing device for emergencys, lots of towels
That should get you by, and some of the things can be picked up along the way (I don’t know what your support is like out there of other goat breeders).
Oh and give lots of hugs
Feel free to email ifyou have any questions.