After we read about the goat, we made contact with the folks that had him. These folks are very privacy oriented, as are we, so we met them at a big box hardware store a couple of hours away from our house. It sounds like something out of a spy novel, doesn't it? But, we respect people's privacy, and we're glad when people respect ours. They were nice folks and we appreciate their willingness to meet us and save us a few miles.
When we bring a new animal to our place they spend the first week in isolation. This is accomplished in our stock trailer, which is very convenient. We pull it into the barn to provide shade, protection from weather and have the new animal in close proximity to the herd.
Bill was not very happy to be alone for the first two nights. The second day he was here we wormed him with Cydectin, then the third day we used Safeguard which is fenbendazole. At this time, we are still using chemical wormers for the goats. We don't use them very often, usually no more than twice a year, and some day we hope to eliminate them altogether. We have honeysuckle, wormwood and garlic growing which will deter or cause worms to expel from the goats, but haven't learned enough to use them effectively yet. The key word there is yet. That will come in time.
The third evening Bill was joined in the stock trailer by One Stripe's two adopted nine week old boys, which began their weaning process. Now we had three crying babies in the trailer. But at least Bill had company now. We continued to watch Bill for any signs of ill health. The previous owners provided us with a bag of feed for him. We gradually used this up while getting him accustomed to our feed ration. He had a good appetite for the hay, grain and water we gave him and appears to be a strong, healthy animal.
One week later, Bill and the boys joined the older wethers out in the 'boys' pasture. Bill seems small now, but we expect him to grow and fill out quickly since he is already four months old. We will feed him, and the other boys, everyday for a while. Bill's first breeding duties will come about mid June when we plan to breed One Stripe. We would like for her to have babies about Thanksgiving to keep us in milk through the winter. We will breed the other does around November 1st for April babies next spring. So Bill will not be full grown before he will be put to work. He still calls for his mom and his old herd sometimes, but he is enjoying all of the new growth of the pasture. He should work out just fine.
Until next time - Fern
Nice looking buck. We need to get a new one this year. I like them young, when they don"t stink :)
ReplyDeleteI think this one will be stinky soon enough, Sandra. He is already exhibiting all of the signs of increasing his perfume! I hope you find a good one.
DeleteFern
Bill E Goat, great name. My grandmother had a cat named Thomas A. Cat - Tom Cat of course. Hope your little guy settles in well!
ReplyDeleteHe seems to be doing great, Kathi. He comes over to the gate and says hello every time I go to the barn. I'm glad you like the name.
DeleteFern
He looks like a well bred young buck. There is much relying on good quality stock isn't there. He looks like he will do well. I love the name!
ReplyDeleteWe do hope he produces good, strong babies, Fiona. It's a funny name, but we sure like it.
DeleteFern
Hi Fern! What a pretty boy! Love the colors! His name is cute! About goat worming: do you give them Ivomec or any other de-wormer at other times? We give ours Ivomec once every six weeks and an herbal de-wormer once every six weeks. Is this a good routine? Thanks for all your helpful advice! Blessings from Bama!
ReplyDeleteFelecia we used Ivomec for many years, but when we discovered Cydectin works better, we switched. They both cover the same spectrum of worms. The fenbendazole covers another set of worms.
DeleteWe don't worm routinely anymore. Well, we do usually worm in the spring when the dormant worms become active in the goat's bodies, as well as hatch out from the ground. I guess that is our one routine worming. Otherwise, I just watch their health. It took me a number of years to get a good eye for healthy vs. a little off or lethargic. There are a number of ways to check for worms including pale gums. If you have a good goat book it will cover the symptoms and what to look for.
You will have to learn your ground and your weather to see when you have the highest flush of worms and the most effective way to deal with them. We are farther south now than we were with our first goat herd, and it's just different here. There is a bigger problem with lung worms, which we weren't used to, so we lost some babies before we learned the best way to deal with them. It's all a matter of learning what works best in your situation. Other local folks with goats will definitely be your best resource.
Best of luck!
Fern
Ivomec is a very STRONG wormer and has a residual effect. My livestock, when I bred cattle, did much better with the Cydectin. I had recurrence of lice issues with Ivomec and it often seemed to make the calves and smaller cows lethargic after treatment.
DeleteThank you so much for informing me about Ivomec, Fern and Fiona! I will definitely be switching to Cydectin! I was told by the lady we got our goats from that you need to worm them very regulalry, like once a month or so. I guess here in the South the worms must be more aggressive or something! The guy we bought our buck from just gave them pieces of a pine tree for worming! I don't know if that works; and I didn't want to take a chance on loosing them to worms. Thanks again for your response! Blessings from Bama!
ReplyDeleteIt's great you have some local folks to talk to, Felecia. In time you will know what works well for you. Have fun!
DeleteFern