r/goats • u/Britanniafox • 1d ago
General Husbandry Question Weight question
I have 2 Nubian doelings I brought into my herd this year from the same breeder. One is 7 months and one is 8 months. The blonde pictured is the only one of my goats not growing in her undercoat for winter, so I started researching why, which led me to reading about the weight she should be at by her age. The 7 month old registered spotted doeling in 46lbs and the 8 month old blond doeling is 57lbs. From what I've read, they are very underweight for their age-- should be closer to 70/80lbs. But their body condition looks fine to me, they have access to quality hay all day along with lush pasture, eat 1/2 of grain at night, free minerals, and they recently had FECs done and counts were under 50 e/g. I would like others opinions if they are truly small/underweight for their age. Im used to ND, which have very different bodies and growth rates. Thank you in advance!
2
u/katdog369 20h ago
Condition can be a little hard in pictures, but they seem fine to me in that regard. How big they should be at this age has a lot of factors though - how growthy are the lines they come from? When were they weaned? And are you 100% certain they are full Nubians? I ask the last question because the tan one in particular doesn’t seem to have the ear carriage I expect of a full Nubian, is it possible they are Nubian x Nigerian crosses?
3
u/Britanniafox 16h ago
I was told they are both purebred, but the blonde isn't registered. So maybe not? Thank you for insight! I think I'll up the grain and remember they aren't going to be as plump as my other goats.
1
u/yamshortbread Dairy Farmer and Cheesemaker 20h ago
I'm assuming that's half a pound of grain? At their age and size they can have at least a pound a day. Ask their breeder what their dams weighed their first fall and if it's less than 80 pounds I would be very surprised.
Have you had them on an anticoccidia regimen at all? In the feed, a periodic preventive med, or something like Calf Pro? While technically they're past the worst danger window (6 mos and under), if they've been struggling with subclinical loads that can impede weight gain too. Did the fecal you do check a cocci count?
1
u/Britanniafox 16h ago
1/2 cup of grain. They've been on a kid med pellet with decoxx. Im actually just starting to mix with their new adult pelleted grain. Their FEC also checked for Coccidia as well. Egg counts were very low, less than 100.
Great idea to contact their breeder to see what their dams were around the same age!
5
u/spilt_milk_213 22h ago
These females look healthy for their age and how they are not in milk. I prefer a heavier goat, because a heavy goat is an alive goat. Do expect weight "loss" from an in milk doe, as their main fats are in their milk. So far these little girls look healthy if you are uncomfortable with how they look, push a little more feed. Remember, dairy goats are not going to be as well rounded as your Boer goats.