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Started a Herd

After 4 years of reading and learning I started my herd with 2 bucklings one to be a wether and a doeling. I opted to not go registered but did purchase from milking herds.

Here is my doeling that is from a heard in NE Arkansas, this is Yolanda and her parents

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The boys, from Central Arkansas

This is Patches, a soon to be wether

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and this is Goldie. Though I don't have papers, i believe his sir is Flat Rocks Buckwheat, and sir's dam is Flat Rocks CP Bedazzled 4*D

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The buckling are being bottlefed and the doeling is about a month older the the boys and dam raised so not as friendly at the moment. I am working on making her much more friendly.

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Yay! Hay!

I finally found some really good hay today. I've been having a heck of a time finding decent hay at a fair price. But I found a family that raises Nubians and grows their own custom hay. Not only that, but they were really nice people who were ok with me buying a smaller amount. They also said that they'd be happy to be my hay supplier going forward. What a relief!

Juniper and Pokey came to blows today over their treat of peanuts. I get so worried when he head-butts her on her side. Granted,  he's hardly a huge guy and he has no horns, but I'm still so paranoid about something going wrong with Juni's kids. Better feed peanuts separately from now on. 

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blue cigars?

Lately I've been wondering if the adage about being able to tell if your pregnant doe is going to have boys because she acts "bucky" while she's pregnant is true. Juniper is being such a bossy girl lately! Her previously shy temperament is going away, and she is bossing Pokey around all the time now. She mounts him, chases him and antagonizes him by nipping at his legs and sides. She also goes around stamping her hoof a lot, not something she used to do. It's so funny. I guess if she does have a buckling(s) it will give some credence to that old adage. 

But on the other hand, she's never been more affectionate with me than she is now. She always wants to be by my side and nuzzles and climbs in my lap all the time. Consequently I'm falling in love with this little creature more and more. I hope this means that if and when she does give birth, she will let me be near her to comfort her. I will  only intervene if absolutely necessary, but I would love the honor of being by her side when her kid(s) is born.

They are also starting to shed their heavy winter coats so I'm getting a better look at their overall condition now that we're coming out of the cold season. They look really good, Juni is probably a bit thinner than she was, but she might just look that way because she's getting taller and longer now. Pokey looks fine, that boy knows how to survive and has since the day I brought him home as a scrawny, weak runt. Now he's a strong, healthy specimen full of vitality. I put good food in front of him, but I give a lot of the credit to him because he knew what he had to do - eat! 

Now I need to bring my attention to solving the problem of neighborhood dogs straying on to my property and scaring the goats and chickens. I hope talking to the owners and asking them to be more responsible will work, but I rather doubt it will. They obviously don't care enough now to keep track of their dogs, so I don't expect them to suddenly become responsible owners. I really don't want to do anything drastic. It's not the dogs' fault their owners are idiots. Maybe animal control will help me. 

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Ouch!

Today was rainy so I didn't get to spend much time with the goats, which is a shame because that's usually my favorite time of day. But the time I did get with them was, um, challenging. That is to say that Pokey thought he could jump up on me and try to climb on me when I was sitting down. And that he'd attempt that coming from a full run! Wow did that hurt. I kept pushing him off and giving a firm "NO" but it still took 3 tries to get him to stop. He reminds me of an adolescent boy sometimes, which I suppose he is since he's a year old. I need to stay firm with him though, because he's small but mighty and could do some damage if he wanted to. 

Juniper was her usual sweet Mama's girl self. I did notice a tiny amount of a whitish discharge from her vulva, just like the weekend after she was bred. It's probably nothing, but of course I worry about every little thing. I hope she isn't absorbing any fetuses. 

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hairy issues

Yesterday I noticed that Juniper is growing a beard! She looks so cute with her whiskers. I wonder why Pokey isn't growing one, considering he's the boy. I guess it's hit and miss. He sure has the full neck and shoulders hair that intact bucks have, though. I just can't get over how soft and lush their coats are. I'd always imagined goats having coarse coats, probably because of my previous experience with those poor pitiful petting zoo goats. 

Juni is getting leggy now, finally. Just in time, too, if she is pregnant. Need to have room for the udder! 

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My two goats

I'd like to start jotting down all the cute and interesting things that are going on with my duo. It's mostly just for myself, so I can remember the things they do and stuff that happens in my ND goat adventure.

Today they were somewhat jumpy, especially Pokey. I wonder if something got close to their pen last night, or earlier today when I was out running errands. After the incidents with the stray dogs last weekend, I really worry. I'll have to take action if I see those dogs again. 

Juniper was extra clingy/affectionate today, maybe she needed extra Mama time. Her appetite has grown so much! I suppose it's because of most of her diet now being straight hay. She has to eat a lot more of it to feel full, unlike browse which is so rich in nutrients. Hang in there Juni, spring is  on its way and with it will come all your favorite leaves and weeds again. 

I wish I could decide whether to order minerals from Hoegger's, or just get Manna Pro. I better decide soon, before Juniper's pregnancy progresses much more. 

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New Milker

Hello!!

I was wondering what was the normal amount of milk from a Nigerian? My parents had full size Saanen goats I would milk and I knew my ladies wouldn't milk as much but I am receiving a little over a pint each. Is this normal? They have plenty of food and water left over every night so I know they are getting enough as well as I have a nutrition goat block and individual feedings with goat minerals.  

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new introduction

 hello, to all first off. I am new to this site , I have I full 3-4 yr old  nigi,whos's named pepper (my first,who's preg), then I bought her a friend Harley  , she's 1, who's 1/2 LaMancha, 1/2 Nubian, then I bought 2 preg pygmys pinky and the brain, who's about 3-4 yrs old. now I've had them a month or so now, i'm able to bring home my newest addition named sunny she is 6 weeks old mini nubi. I put her in with the nigi & the lamacha/Nubian and they keep butting her. I understand they have teach her the pecking order,but they are getting a little too aggressive than. she is now sleeping under their bed. what should I do any suggestions would be APPRECIATTED  thank you .

sorry so long for first post.

p.s. baby is eating and drinking fine pics coming soon

  thanks Dion

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Registered Nigerian Doe For Sale

Deer Ridge Farm Sweet Pea is for sale. She kids easy. This is her 2nd time kidding. 1st time had a single buckling. This time had a doeling and buckling. Gives alot of milk. Does good on milking stand getting better each day. Has a nice full udder. We have been milking her she is in milk but is starting to dry up. Have been milking her once a day. Was still working on shaving her in picture so not finished. She had never been shaved so was having to take it slow. Asking $375.00 in Dearing, Georgia

ADGA and AGS Registered

DOB: March 9, 2012

Sire: NC Promiseland Mystic Blue

SS: Caesar's Villa St Sharpie

SD: NC Promiseland  Pal Macarena

 

Dam:  Pecan Hollow Z Tierra

DS:  Pecan Hollow Ps Zuzak

DD:  Pecan Hollow Gl Rose

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Hi I am posting not knowing if this is the right way to do it as it's my first time posting. My question is that I am milking for the first time and I have a first freshener and I have only been milking her in the morning. I take the two doelings away from Mom at night as I have a stall separator that allows them to be beside mom but separate. I only milk her in the am and return her to her babies for the whole day. I noticed the amount I have been getting from her is decreasing. Should I be concerned that shes drying up? It started out at about 2 cups milking only in the morning now Its 6 days milking her and she is giving less milk. Its like less than 2 cups. For instance here's what I have gotten milking her in the morning so far and it is decreasing I have it in ml (milliliters) she is a first freshener and has two doelings.

08/05/14-    500 ml

08/06/14      525 ml

08/07/14      450ml

08/08/14      400ml

08/10/14      375ml

Should I even be concerned? I mean I am totally new at this. She is getting grain twice a day and also snacks of it during the day, chaffhaye at 2pm, oat hay free choice, minerals free choice. So I do not know if she could be drying up or if I should even be concerned. I read it's better to milk once a day in the morning and let the babies be with their Mom during the day separating them from her in the night. Milking in the morning and putting them back with their mom during the day and so on and so on until they are weaned. Then it said its ok to milk twice a day. Morning and night every 12 hours. Should I be concerned or am I over reacting? I appreciate any input. Thanks!

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Re-growth after disbudding

We have an 8 week old buckling who we neutered this morning using a Ritchey Nipper!  It went smoothly relatively speaking.  About a week ago though I noticed a different issue - a scur coming up.  Now they are in 3 places, about 1/2 inch tall and pretty thin (so they are kind of sharp).  What should I do?  I'm concerned about him hurting someone else when headbutting.  Do I have him re-burned by the vet? (I'm doing the burning next year)!   cut them myself somehow (how?)?  Any ideas.  Thanks, Ralph

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Cutting back

Recently a friend asked how much I feed my goats and how often. Well as of Monday I have cut back from twice a day to only am feeding. They have all the second cut they want and fresh water, minerals and baking soda . We built a 3 sided shelter for them as well, I now lock them out of the barn durning the day. This really will help to keep the barn cleaner longer. Hope this doesn't sound cruel . Curious to know what other people do.
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We got our babies today!

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We picked up our first two Nigerian Dwarf Goats today! They are so cute! One of them is already very loving but it will take some time with the other one but I know she'll come around! We are so excited! The darker one is Daisy and the white one is Sweet Pea.

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New Born Kids For Sale in 3-4 weeks

10603998859?profile=original10603999083?profile=originalHello, I have a small herd of 8 does.  They are all from Little Tots Estate in Georgia.  Their parents are having good records of showing and producing milk. (milk stars) Since we got our goats, we raise them all nature way, feeding them completed organic feeds, molasses, kelp, dewormers once a week.  The vet checked the entire herb in 12/6/2013, they are free from parricides and diseases.  

Two of them just gave birth last week or so.  4 bucks and one doe.  In order to keep our little herb healthy and affordable, we have to let these kids to good home.  

Anyone is interested in getting a good bloodline buck or doe to their existing herd?  Please let me know.  I also have one buck is about 5 months old, and he is also available. 

Thank you.  

Doe: $600 

Buck: $400-500

We are in Peotone, IL 

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

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Goats!!

I've got my goats!!!! I'm posting this from my mobile device. Were on our way home right now. They're cute and funny and they've already won my hubby over - or at least the does have and he's open to liking the bucks eventually too! :D of course I'm already quite smitten! I'm super excited!!!BTW do any do any of you ever feed orchard grass pellets? Just wondered if I could use it occasionally instead of hay?
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