**These pages are made only for our farm to go and remind ourselves what we need to do.
We have been collecting these files over the years.
We are always learning new information. We add and edit these files almost daily.
There are many more problems with goat keeping. These are most common illnesses and problems that we often see while our goat keeping. If in doubt, call your vet.
We have been collecting these files over the years.
We are always learning new information. We add and edit these files almost daily.
There are many more problems with goat keeping. These are most common illnesses and problems that we often see while our goat keeping. If in doubt, call your vet.
For New Goat Owners
When you are purchasing new goats for the first time or even after many times, you may not know exactly what to ask breeders because each breeder is different. We assume that the breeders prepared things for you and we assume that they have all the documents hand them to you.
Unfortunately, quite often, we find this is not the case.
It's nice to have a good list of questions to ask to breeders before you make a final decision.
There are things that you need to prepare before purchasing goats.
Here are some lists that we came up with after 9 years of buying and selling goats.
This will help you to get all the information that you need.
When you are purchasing new goats for the first time or even after many times, you may not know exactly what to ask breeders because each breeder is different. We assume that the breeders prepared things for you and we assume that they have all the documents hand them to you.
Unfortunately, quite often, we find this is not the case.
It's nice to have a good list of questions to ask to breeders before you make a final decision.
There are things that you need to prepare before purchasing goats.
Here are some lists that we came up with after 9 years of buying and selling goats.
This will help you to get all the information that you need.
Goat book suggestions for beginners
What do you want to have in your herd?
What is your goal for your herd?
What is your goal for your herd?
It's important to think about what kind of goats you are actually wanting to have.
Lots of breeders would like to "sell" you goats because that is the breeder's business.
Important part is what do YOU want to have in your herd.
Here are some examples for you to think about.
For example, Mini Nubian is a Nigerian Dwarf x Nubian goat breeds hybrid.
So there are lots of kind of Mini Nubians out there.
Some are taller, some are shorter.
Some have pointy ears, some have very long ears.
Some have long ears but very controlled ears
Some have very distinguished roman nose, some have dished nose
Some have terrible diseases that breeders don't even know.
Some have bouncy personality
Some have very noisy voice
Some are very quiet
Some have trouble kidding histories.
Some have amazing conformation.
Some have amazing milk production.
Some have terrible mammary attachment.
Some have very tiny orifice for milking
Some have very hard texture of teats
Some do not have any herd testing histories.
Some do not have any immunizations histories.
Some have milking records (including official or barn records)
Some have amazing show awards
Some are very friendly
Some have never been milked before
Some have no milking stand manners
Some have blue eyes
Some have moonspots
Some are polled (genetically no horns)
Some are not registered
Some are registered
Some are dual registered
Some have milk stars
Some are holistically raised
Some have only organic, GMO free, Corn free feed
Some are over dewormed
Some have never been wormed
(I will add more lists if I can think more...)
**These examples can help you what you are looking for in your farm & ranch.
When you reach out to breeders, have some ideas what you are looking for. What kind would work for your family and your place. If you have any questions for guidance, ask around until the right kind of breeders help you find the best match.
Lists to ask & what to get from breeders
Preparation at home for bringing new goats
For all goats
It is very important to have one or two goat vets lined up before bringing your goats to your place. "Livestock vet" does not mean that they are knowledgable about goats. You must try to find "goat" vets as best as you can before emergency happens.
Unfortunately, emergency happens more than you wish...
Unlike with pet dogs or cats, with livestock such as goats, you can become the person to give most of the medications and draw blood from them. It is a great experience to learn along with goat vets and other informations that you could gather.
There are a couple of FB pages that specifically made for goat emergencies. Those groups are very supportive and knowledgable. I highly recommend to join those groups and look through their amazing files before anything happens to your precious goats.
Unfortunately, emergency happens more than you wish...
Unlike with pet dogs or cats, with livestock such as goats, you can become the person to give most of the medications and draw blood from them. It is a great experience to learn along with goat vets and other informations that you could gather.
There are a couple of FB pages that specifically made for goat emergencies. Those groups are very supportive and knowledgable. I highly recommend to join those groups and look through their amazing files before anything happens to your precious goats.
Female goats
**In order to have milk, like us, human and other mammals, goats need to have babies first.
It sounds odd to mention this but we get this question A LOT.
To have milk, they need to be bred, then kid (give birth) usually once a year.
**In order to have milk, like us, human and other mammals, goats need to have babies first.
It sounds odd to mention this but we get this question A LOT.
To have milk, they need to be bred, then kid (give birth) usually once a year.
For babies |
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About Mini Nubians
After bringing new goats to your place
This page explains pretty well about Sr. Does
(Scroll down to the bottom of the page)
This page explains pretty well about Sr. Does
(Scroll down to the bottom of the page)
This page explains well about wethers
(Scroll down to the bottom of the page)
This page explains well about baby goats
(Scroll down to the bottom of the page)
Registrations & transfers @ MDGA & TMGR
At Opus 7 Farm, in order to make things go smoothly for the buyer, seller, & the registries, we take care of all registrations & transfer with the goats that are purchased from our herd.
But lots of breeders don't do this practice. So here is the information how to do.