It's official - I'm a goatkeeper

[Luath]

Finally took delivery of my new goats last night - two little nannies, about 3 months- ish old. British Saanen/Boer/Anglo -nubian cross. I'll eventually be milking them I hope. They seem to ahve settled in quite well so far.

Here they are: Marty and Fancy Day are the two on the right:

[Shirley]

They are gorgeous Luath...

I had a spooneristic read - I read it as Farty and Dancy Day LOL Sorry...

[Luath]

You realise that that will be what they are known as from now on, don't you? Thanks...............

(My smilies etc have stopped working btw)

[2steps]

congratulations, they are lovely

[Wombat]

Nice, mate! Well done!

nev

[PurpleDragon]

Oh, they're gorgeous! Congratulations :)

[Millymollymandy]

I like the one on the right - a sort of skewbald great dane! Really cute and congratulations!

[Chickpea]

Wow they're gorgeous. I'm so jealous.

[Boots]

Hey Luath,
Only just spotted this. Very nice!

Dunno if you care (they may be pets?) but looks like you have good form there, too. Nice square chests, straight legs, good colours and condition. Good chance they will throw back the nubian way if you intend to breed.

You know how to check your goats weight? Will tell you anyway, as others may be interested, and it is good to measure weight when you first get goats and they insist on eating 12 times their daily requirement every day for the rest of their lives.

Pinch the flesh at their tail. About 2 inches above it, between the blades. You want about a nice inch of firm flesh there. If it gets flabby, cut back on the feed and stop wasting money, if it gets sparse, check the feeds to ensure they are fuelling up efficiently.

If you ever notice anything amiss or just want to question something PM me and I will always help if I can. Happy to provide any help with hoof trimming, natural medicines (well, alternate as our natural environments are different) and general health care. I love goats and have a few of each of those breeds.

I hope you enjoy them and have good fences ready for them.

[Boots]

Oh, and that buck will be working now...

If he hasn't been nutted he will need his own fence or tether to let the girls get away. The girls are unlikely to stand for him for another few months.

You probably know that... Ah, sorry. I should never get started on goats!

[Luath]

I've only acquired the two nannies, the two on the right; the billy (castrated) is staying with his mum and their owner.
They are an Anglo-nubian/British Saanen cross with a Boer for a father. They won't grow too big, so I will be able to manage them by myself, I hope. They've settled in very well, and seem tohave made friends with the cows in the field next door, if a little vocally

Good tip about the weight check, will keep an eye on that. Thanks.

I won;t be breeding from them, at least I don;t think so, but will be wanting to milk in the future.

They are penned in a yard at the top of the garden with the chickens and ducks for nearby company, with a shed for living in:



When they've been here a while, they'll get let out under supervision.

Thanks for the offer of help, I'll certainly come back with any questions, so thanks for that too.

[maggie144]

just seen your post and the goats they are wonderful i understand you are wanting to milk them, well i have saanans/toggenburgs and alpines and all mine had to have kids before we could milk them.

not sure if it standard, but might be worth checking with the previous owners or the goat society.

good luck maggie

[Luath]

Yes, the goats will have to kid before I can milk, but that's for the future. they're only about 4 months or so at the moment, so at least another almost 2 years. No hurry.