For all you goat experts -- UPDATE: Pic of Tripod

[Buster]

When is it too early to sell mama goat?

A friend is coming by to purchase most of my goats, but I want to keep a few of the doe kids. They range between 7 and 11 weeks old.

So, where would you put the cutoff for the keepers? I'm keeping the three legged mama and her triplets, but the other two kids will either go with their moms or stay by themselves. This would obviously be cold turkey weaning.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

I'm keeping the three legged mama

Brother, if you make a statement like this you gotta include a picture

what happened? got hungry for a leg-o-goat and couldnt wait? HA! (just kidding!)
;-)

(and i have no useful info for your question, sorry!)

 

[Bubblingbrooks]

Which babies are the youngest?

 

[Buster]

I have one who is 7 weeks. Based on replies from some of you over at BY Herds, I've decided she stays with mama. They will be either sold or kept together.

OFG, Tripod is the best mother of the lot. I had considered getting rid of her early on, but she is just great with her babies. It's her right rear leg that is missing (birth defect, not dinner), and it hadn't occurred to me earlier that this actually makes for easier access for her kids. Everything's just right out there in the open!

I'll post pics later.

 

[Wannabefree]

If you can wait till the 18th instead the Farmer's Almanac says that is a good day for weaning animals. I dunno if it works some folks swear by it though. I'm gardening by the moon phases this year as a trial run to see if the waxing and waning actually has any effect on the way my garden grows. I'm even tilling by the signs I know the moon affects water, and plants are mostly water so.....eh it's worth a shot I spose. So I would wait till the 18th just out of curiosity. Goats scream bloody murder when the mom is taken away from my experience...wonder if it'd be any different this way? If you wait, let me know how it goes

 

[FarmerChick]

2 1/2 mos. is earliest I pull kids from the doe

so 10 weeks is earliest and I usually sold all kids by 12-14 weeks at the latest

cold turkey at or over 2 1/2 mos. is fine....they got all the best of the mom at that point and can easily do well on their own


Tripod hahaha

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

OFG, Tripod is the best mother of the lot. I had considered getting rid of her early on, but she is just great with her babies. It's her right rear leg that is missing (birth defect, not dinner), and it hadn't occurred to me earlier that this actually makes for easier access for her kids. Everything's just right out there in the open! lol

Tripod.... *snort* hee hee hee hee hee....

 

[Buster]

I'm keeping the three legged mama

Brother, if you make a statement like this you gotta include a picture

Your wish is my command, m'lady. Sorry for taking so long.

Tripod, her triplets, and a couple of friends.

 

[TanksHill]

Wow!! I bet she gets around just fine.

g

 

[freemotion]

Wowza! And do I see six, count 'em, six goats all eating grain together peacefully? How on earth to you manage that? Are they eating Xanax?