I just bought a 10 week old pygmy doe. The breeder told me this plenty old enough to be weaned & taken to a new home. However, she seems to be trying to nurse my adult dry Nubian doe. Luckily the Nubian has been very sweet to her, but obviously can't feed her. Can anyone tell me if 10 weeks is too young? If so I would have to bottle feed her with formula.

Also, this breeder does not dehorn any of her goats because of coyotes. My new kid has horns about 3/4 inch long. What is the best way to dehorn her? Is it too late to band them? My other goat is dehorned.

Elle

-- elle (eagle-quest@juno.com), June 29, 2001

Answers

Hi,

10 weeks is usually a good time to wean kids. I prefer to wait until 16 weeks myself, like to give them a good start. If you tried to bottle feed her or pan feed her she may not want to drink it since she is used to the teat... or milk fountain as I call it. If you decided to go with formula I'd use plain ole' milk from the store, replacers don't always work with good success. at least that has been our experience and the experiences of my friends who raise goats.

As for dehorning, how big are the horns? you might be able to snip off the ends with hoof nippers and then burn with a iron. Hard to say without knowing. I disbud at a week old so i haven't ventured into dehorning after. the only time we did was last yr when hubby messed up on a job because we got a iron with too small of a circle base. We had the vet come out and do it. Hope this helps. Now.... if only i can find the graphic picture website on dehorning. I lost it when my computer died a few months ago.

Hope this helps. Have a blessed day!

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), June 29, 2001.