We just jumped into goats (probably foolishly quickly). We have just bought two bred does (Nubian/Alpine cross). They are both young and this will be their first kidding. The guy we bought from has two Billys in with all the does and couldn't give a firm "delivery date". He thinks they are due in January. Now I'm in a wilderness of conflicting advice on vaccinations, wormings, ect. Any one have any first hand expertise here?

No! But I'm so excited for you! I've always wanted goats, believe it or not. Goats and chickens.

I worked at a goat dairy during college. Fun times and learned a lot and got pretty good at animal midwifing.

With the goats we mixed DE in with the grain. We also alternated two other wormers and put on a lice powder during warm weather. You manage worms in goats, you never really get rid of them.

As far as vaccine schedule we followed whatever the ADGA recommended. I wish I could remember what it was. They might have it on their website?

OH! if this guy didn't test for CAE I'd do a blood draw on one or both of them and send it in.

Also I would start looking for a horn iron for when your kids are born and a rubber bander for the buck kids you don't want intact. The horn iron is the absolute worst part about having goats but IMO its so necessary to prevent serious injuries to animals, fences, and people.

 Quote: becky shilling

We just jumped into goats (probably foolishly quickly). We have just bought two bred does (Nubian/Alpine cross). They are both young and this will be their first kidding. The guy we bought from has two Billys in with all the does and couldn't give a firm "delivery date". He thinks they are due in January. Now I'm in a wilderness of conflicting advice on vaccinations, wormings, ect. Any one have any first hand expertise here?

No first-hand experience (although goats and ducks have always been my wanna-haves!), but I proofread and/or copyedit Storey's classic Guide to Raising series, and the Dairy Goats 4th edition (completely revised) just came out. Kidding and raising kids are both fully covered (and housing and everything else).

No, I do not get a commission. I do think it's a terrific and comprehensive book, for the brand-new goatherd as well as the long-experienced one who wants the latest health info.

http://www.storey.com/book_detail.php?isbn=9781603425803&cat=Animals

(It's everywhere, including Amazon.)

Thanks guys. I have lots of vet exp.(was a tech for 25+ years) but the large animal experience I have mostly centered on horses first, then some bovine. I feel pretty comfortable with watching for any signs of an ill animal and birthing is birthing (pretty much) whatever the species. My lack of knowledge mainly centers around vaccines (or not). Obviously tetanus is pretty much a must, but the CL and CAE I keep reading conflicting opinions about. Of course, the vets at OSU and Redlands CC recommend every vacc known to man, but most vets do, IME.

 Quote: Becky Shilling

Thanks guys. I have lots of vet exp.(was a tech for 25+ years) but the large animal experience I have mostly centered on horses first, then some bovine. I feel pretty comfortable with watching for any signs of an ill animal and birthing is birthing (pretty much) whatever the species. My lack of knowledge mainly centers around vaccines (or not). Obviously tetanus is pretty much a must, but the CL and CAE I keep reading conflicting opinions about. Of course, the vets at OSU and Redlands CC recommend every vacc known to man, but most vets do, IME.

There's a vaccine for CAE in the US?

About CL: the sheep CL vaccine from Colorado? I remember reading some anecdotal stuff about severe milk drop, fever, depression, limping, and I forget what else when used with goats.

I think there is an Australian CL vaccine for goats but not approved here yet (although it is being used in many other countries).

One author's conclusion on the CL vaccine was that if possible, it should be formulated for your facility and your goats. (I don't know anything about autogenous vaccines, and I am just parroting what I have read on the whole CL topic.)

I remember coming across this when checking resources, etc.: http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/U/UNP-0090/UNP-0090.pdf



eta
PS
I am jealous. Every time I work on one of these Guide to Raising books, I end up wanting the animals in it.

But goats and ducks really stuck with me, with donkeys a strong third.


Edited by Connie Sutherland (11/16/2010 04:31 PM)
Edit reason: eta

Goats are terrific, IMO. Sweet, emotional. Nubians can be so dramatic!
They must be immunized on schedule for the clostridial illnesses ( commonly called 7 way Blackleg+tetanus).
The vaccines that they need are super cheap. NOBODY is getting rich vaccinating goats! Do whatever your local guys recommend.
Melissa is dead on IME. You don't want any intact bucks. They smell and have gross behaviors beginning at about 4 mos of age.
Babies after Christmas! How fun!

Oh yeah, no bucks, thanks!
The clostridium seems like a must give, as well as the tetanus. It's the CL (caseous lymphadenitis) that is giving me pause. It sounds like you almost NEVER give it without some after-effect at the injection site, ranging from mild swelling to huge skin-sloughing holes. Colorado serum is the only one that makes it and it is off-label use in goats (only licensed in sheep BECAUSE of the bad reactions in goats). I'm wondering if the "cure" may not be worse than the disease here.

I vaccinated pregnant does with CDT, twice during pregnancy. Really the only vaccine I worried about. If the does are vaccinated properly, the kids will have immunity from the colostrum for 1-2 months. Kids get their first CDT between 6-8 weeks, booster 3 weeks later, some give the first at about 2-3 weeks if mumma wasn't vaccinated. If you retain a buck, hopefully not, they would need this yearly for immunity.

No horns here, bucks become wethers.

Fun, enjoy!

Both of our girls are horned; not much to be done about it now, except maybe tipping them so the ends are blunt like they do Brahmas.
They are quickly becoming tame to us. We got little goat halters for them so we can lead them to the areas of the place we want them to browse and then tie them out. We give them thier grain/pellet rations by hand only right now to help get them looking forward to being close to us.
I guess we are going to need to build us a little milking stand and get them used to that as well. From what I have read, we can actually share milk with the kids. Leave babies with them 24/7 for the first two weeks, then start putting the kids up by themselves at night. Milk first thing in the morning, then let the kids back with mom.
Gouda is the shyer one, Brie is a little piglet and pushy for the grain. They are lots of fun. The dogs are still trying to figure out what they are I think. They don't bark at them, but they are extremely curious. Bitsa has actually tried to get them to play with her - her kennel is right next to the goat pen. (2" x 4" welded wire and cattle panel between)