Normal Goat
Health
Information
. Temperature 102.5 -104- This varies depending on the temperature of the
goat's surroundings.
. Pulse rate 70 - 80 beats per minute
.Respiration 15 to 30 per minute
Puberty 7 weeks - 8 months (separate bucks from does at 2 month)
. Estrus/Heat Cycle 17 to 23 days
. Gestation 142 to 155 days
. Life span:
Does 11 to 12 years average age, but... usually the death in does is
kidding related. Does that are "retired" from breeding around age 10 live
longer; 16 to 18 years ( and I just recently found a doe who was 24 she was
retired from kidding at age 10)
. Wehter's 11 to 16 years average age
Bucks 8 to 10 average age - bucks usually live shorter lives than does
and wehters due to the stresses of going into rut each year.
.Full growth size: Most goats do not reach their full size until they are about three
years of age. (They keep growing for about three years )
Bottle Feeding Nigerian Dwarfs
As for feeding I don't think there is anything better than goat milk to
feed them but if you don't have it, cow milk can be used. Use Pritc hard
nipples ( yellow screw cap and red nipple ) on water or soda bottles.
If you have goat milk use it. Put the milk in a bottle and heat it in a
container with hot water until warm.
This works for my herd:
Newborn - 1 week: Up to 4oz 4 times per day.
Weeks 1 - 4: Up to 6 - 8 oz 3 times per day.
Weeks 4 - 8: Up to 8 - 10 oz 2 times per day.
Weeks 8 - 12: Up to 10 oz 1 time per day.
Wean between 8 and 12 weeks depending on how much the babies are eating.
Feed: Alfalfa Hay, Water, Sweetlix Loose Minerals for Goats or Purina
Miscellaneous
A wonderful source of information for goats is:
I sincerely hope you enjoy your family member.
