A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT CARING FOR WETHERS

A wether is a male that the breeder has decided not to use as a breeding sire.  He has been castrated between the ages of 4 weeks to 6 months with 3 months being the average age.  His purpose is primarily as a pet but also makes an excellent first show goat for a 4H project.  They are very easily bonded to their young trainer and with careful attention to training are a joy to show in the ring.  Other uses of wethers may be as companion to other animals such as another buck, a horse and also may be used as a heat detector for does in your herd.

The effect of castration changes the appearance of the wether.  He will not develop the long mane or beard of the buck and his hair will stay shorter than a buck.  He also may grow a bit more in size.  One adverse side effect of castration causes the wether to be more apt to develop urinary stones if a careful watch of his diet is not maintained.  He needs a constant supply of high quality hay each day with plenty of cool clean water.  Loose trace minerals and salt fed free will is also necessary.  Grain is not thought to be a good idea by most.

The National Pygmy Goat Association has some excellent basic health care guidelines in their Pygmy Goat Basic Owner's Manual.  Also you can find many helpful articles on the internet about wethers. We have two wethers in our current herd and we feed them a combination of high quality alfalfa and grass hay along with loose mineral salt and baking soda.  They have the same scheduled vaccinations and health care as the does and bucks. We do indulge their craving for grain with a wheat thin type cracker occasionally, especially when training and during a show. The boys also enjoy a treat of untreated rose bushes when we are trimming them.  The plants are grown organically without any chemicals applied ever so that they are safe for the goats to nibble. We also grow sunflowers and pull up a stalk for them to nibble on once in a while.  Other than that their care is simple, just lots of love and attention each day and plenty of exercise and room to romp and play will keep them healthy and thriving.

Blue Hill Patch Underfoot

Currently a Silver Certificate Best Wether

at age 2