It can be so challenging to choose a breed of goat to raise. But you should not choose your goats like you choose pets, which is often based on appearance, color, or size. If you want your goats to serve a purpose, such as dairy or meat, you really
Read more…So I'm a newbie, and I'm trying to learn about the coat patterns and colors. My doeling is light gold, and I noticed a darker gold spot on her back... could it be a moonspot? I can take better pictures tomorrow if this isn't a good enough one to tell
Read more…Hi guys. So our two bottle fed weathers which are being weaned refuse to drink water on their own. They’re down to 4 ounces twice a day of milk replacer. Tried molasses in the water. Tried the sucking finger trick. Any ideas? Were just worried to sto
Read more…https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-names/
Need some help thinking of good goat names?
Once or twice a year on the Thrifty Homesteader Facebook page, I ask people for their favorite goat names, and like the post on chicken names, I realized I shoul
Read more…I am new to raising goats and have 3 kids ranging from 10-14 weeks. I usually refill the hay trough about 3 times per day. I have noticed that their bellies are looking really big and when they see me reach for the pitch fork they come running (they
Read more…Does anyone have experience using a mesh hay feeder for their goats?
I'd appreciate feedback on waste reduction, size of holes in feeder, and unintended consequences (goats injured or stuck). Also usability--how annoying is it to load? How durable?
Th
Read more…Hi Friends,
A feeding question...the 4 wethers came last week and took to the hay and the medicated feed well. I am feeding Kalmbach medicated meat goat feed and was planning on feeding for a couple more months or until the 50 pound bag is finished
Read more…Hi all,
At what age do most kids normally begin licking from the free choice mineral feeders? Mine 4 wethers are about 10 weeks old and I brought them home from the breeder two days ago. They are on Kalmbach medicated meat goat feed and free choic
Read more…Hi. I have 2 ND wethers that have been on straight grass hay and Timothy or Orchard grass pellets. I have only been able to find a 50/50 alfalfa/orchard and Timothy hay mix to get through winter and spring. I know they shouldn't have straight alfalfa
Read more…Both our girls had twins, and r doing great. But, wanted to make sure, we r feeding them enough. They r getting Purina goat chow, alfalfa pellets, and BOSS with all grass hay. Have been wormed, regular, But they act they r starving to death. Again, w
Read more…Hi everyone,
Could someone please explain exactly what dry lot is? I've read about them over and over but still haven't seen what that means exactly. Our 4 wethers are coming this week and I've fenced a 20X22 area lot off the barn to give them
Read more…We are getting our first goats in a week and I've been reading alot about different bedding. The seller uses pine shavings for all of their paddocks and I use to use pine shavings for our chicken coop but they get everywhere and I found that we did
Read more…Is this a fine tattoo kit for the nigerian dwarfs? I didn't add a link, but here is the description.
My husband and I live on an acreage and are going to be starting our first NDG verture. I have done a lot of reading up on them and am learning all I can. We will be getting them for their milk to drink and make soap and such with. We only want 2 o
Read more…I've been trying to find an answer to this question, and with all my research can't seem to get one! How long are Nigerian Dwarf bucks in rut, and how often?
Thanks!
Lily
Read more…I've been thinking a lot about getting a livestock guardian dog, and I'd really like to. I currently have just two doelings that live in a nice big pen, with a little barn. Right now I'm locking them in the barn at night (for about 8-9 hours) and let
Read more…We have at least two members here from Australia growing their herds, one being Michael Garwood.
I've been thinking a lot about them and wondering if they have managed to escape the fires so far.
So, our Aussie friends, how are you doing?
Whereas I am moving to AL soon, and I'll be buying goats there eventually, I've started to wonder what people do with them during tornado's? So I'd welcome any advice!
Read more…This morning my husband found what looks like a string of the back teeth from one of our 8 NDs. Their front teeth are much taller than the ones he found on the ground, when he was cleaning their area. So we suspect they came from the back of one's go
Read more…Hi... I'm getting ready to disbud female kid. she is 13 days old. My previous disbudding has always left small scurs. This time I want to make sure. I've been waiting for the "prick" to feel on the top but it's almost but not quite there. Do I ha
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