MISCHIEF MANAGED FARM
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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WHAT DO BABY GOATS EAT?
Baby goats for sale from us are typically under 2 months old and require bottle feeding. All you need is whole cow's milk from your local grocery store and a human baby bottle to bottle feed. If you can afford to purchase whole goat's milk (also available in most grocery stores) that is even better! The price is generally why we use cow's milk instead. I don't recommend milk replacer.... but if you read online, there is a huge debate about milk replacer vs cow's milk.... it is up to you to decide, ultimately. I've just always personally raised mine on cow's milk.
HOW SOON CAN THEY LEAVE THEIR MOM?
After 24 hours a kid is no longer able to absorb the antibodies in their mother's colostrum and they can leave for a bottle feeding home at this time. However, we like to give ours at least 48 hours with their mothers to give them a good start. The decision on when to let the leave is really down to each individual mom and babies and their situation.
HOW OFTEN DO THEY NEED TO BE FED?
The minimum for bottle feeding is 3x per day (for example: before you go to work, once you get home, then before bedtime). However, if you can do 4x a day that's even better. Smaller amounts more frequently is great!
HOW BIG DO THEY GET?
All goats are individuals so sizes and shapes vary from goat to goat. But in general, Nigerian Dwarf goats will be under 23" at the shoulder. Mixed-breed goats will be bigger.
HAVE THEY BEEN VACCINATED AND DISBUDDED?
No, but sort of... the parents have received CD&T vaccinations. However, we do not vaccinate the baby goats themselves unless needed (i.e. tetanus if injured).
We do not disbud. However, our buck is polled meaning he naturally does not have horns. His kids have a 50% chance of also being naturally polled.
ARE THEY REGISTERED?
As a general rule - no. Some goats in our herd are registered but *both* parents must be registered for the kids to be registered. We rarely have kids from two registered parents. If we ever do have some it will be noted on their ad or photo. As of 2021, we have no registered does, so registered kids are not possible.
HAVE THEY BEEN DEWORMED?
It depends. Recently born bottle babies will not need deworming. However, older, weaned kids are always dewormed before leaving the farm.