Hello everyone, my name is Dee and I am the human for 3 unregistered Nigerians for the past 2 1/2 weeks. Ta Tanka is my blue eyed white billy, who is just my little white buffalo, and Butterscotch has blue eyes and Cocoa is the smallest with brown eyes. I also have Muscovy ducks, Guinea hens, Brahmas, Australorps, and a Red Ranger rooster, who has quite the attitude. I have been wanting to expand to goats for a while, as I would like to make my own cheese and have my own little mowers, and had fond memories from childhood regarding goats. Of course then, I wasn't responsible for their health and happiness and so I am now feeling the seriousness of my dive into their care.
I discovered this site when I was trying to research Nigerians to make sure they were the breed for me. I have since realized that this site is a wealth of information, and am happy to be accepted and hope all of you experienced owners will be able to help me with your opinions as I received my nuggets sooner than I anticipated.
I purchased my 3 from an elderly man who stated to me that "it just got away from me". They were originally in a small pen with approximately 30 goats, male, female, various ages, and are quite wild. I am trying to get them to trust me, and hope they will let me get more than the small pettings I have been allowed this week so that I can take care of them properly. When we had chosen them and were catching them to take home, he stated that he was "pretty sure they are pregnant". They are less than a year old. I know this isn't ideal, but the last 6 were going to slaughter. I just couldn't walk away.
So I am going to attempt to give them the best life I possibly can, and am going to be asking you all many questions to help guide me to the safest and healthiest path. Thank you for allowing me to join, and I will post my concerns and what I have already began to correct in the correct forum locations.
Replies
Do they build a resistance at all to lespedeza? Or is it something I will be able to give them in the future also? If I can maintain without chemicals, I plan on doing it. The shipping is worth it if I can keep them naturally healthy.
Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:
Getting some lespedeza sounds like a great idea, especially right after kidding, which is when resistance is lowest in does.
Thank you for answering my questions, I appreciate it. I was also wondering about worm issues - do we have that problem here in Wyoming with our arid environment? My goats were dewormed this summer by their previous owner, they came from Nebraska. I was thinking maybe of getting the organic Lespedeza pellets to have on hand just in case.
We are not in a selenium deficient area but I do supplement copper. I give my herd a copper bolus every fall and use either Purina Wind and Rain mineral or Purina Vitamin and Mineral supplement (labeled for horses). They can both be found at Murdochs.
We live east, about 3 miles from Hillsdale.. it's great to meet someone on here from our area with experience! Have you had any issues with the copper/selenium? I was wondering about that with all the discussion regarding it on this site.
Amy Bell said:
Dee, I have had this breed for over 7 years now. We raise them for milk production mainly but we do some showing during the spring and summer with the kids. I live northwest of town off of Horsecreek.
That's what I was doing when I found my nuggets... too early and not quite ready! I guess it's like people having babies - no matter how prepared you try to be there's still a ton to learn!
Sharon Johnson said:
Thanks - how long have you had yours? Seeing that you live in the area, I'd like to ask you questions about care if you are willing to offer some advice. I've learned so much just from surfing around on here!
Amy Bell said:
Congratulations ! So glad you have a good support team here. I know I will need one. I hope to buy my first three goats next spring/summer. Right now I am trying to get the property ready and learn all I can.
Hi Dee, welcome to the site. I too live in Cheyenne. Good of you to give these guys a home!
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