Just got some skinny goats

JenniferDuBay

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That is one reason we are moving. We need more land. We have just around 50 goats.. I think :hide

How much land do you have? 0_0 I just bought this place and it's paid off, so I am not moving for nothing! *squats like a hen*
 

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Ohhhhh.... <sigh> If you'd only been introduced to the goats first.... :confused:
 

JenniferDuBay

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@Latestarter So I'm thinking myrtle is pregnant. I compared her udders in pictures from last week to what I saw today, and they seem much bigger. This is what they look like: http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y299/kritter11/Ittybittyfront-1.jpg I'm not too thrilled about this since I still can't touch her. That being said, she's not a first time mother, and they were field goats, she kidded out in the field no assistance last time around, which gives me some assurance, but I still have no idea what I'm doing.

And if this is to be believed: https://edenhills.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/stages-of-goat-pregnancy/ She also has indented sides. When I went to pick her out, they weren't there. I was looking for a nice fat goat, I thought something was affecting her, but it doesn't seem like losing weight in less than a week would be possible from worms like that, but I don't know.
 
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babsbag

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I can't fine an older picture if you posted it but that picture sure looks suspect. That udder looks tight, and that is usually an indicator that there are pretty close. You can't catch her at all? You may notice her standing off by herself when labor starts. If you can't catch her all you can do is watch and chances are she'll be fine. You can take the babies as she has them and put them in a separate pen if you have one, she should follow. You need to dip their umbilical cords in iodine, and if all goes well that is all you should need to do.
 

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<snickering totally unobtrusively :lol:> Goat math I tell ya! Oh my... Wouldn't that just be the frosting on the cake? :duc So I'm hoping the only reason you're "not too thrilled" is because she isn't completely tamed yet? Based on what you shared, she should be OK. Oh, and from what I understand, some does get very lovey-dovey and needy right as they're about to go into labor, so maybe she'll bond with you then? Man, for a newbie, you're covering about every base there is! :clap

There are lots of kidding threads on here. Wouldn't hurt to peruse a few in your copious amounts of free time :D =D I know... :smack But it IS exciting!!
 

JenniferDuBay

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<snickering totally unobtrusively :lol:> Goat math I tell ya! Oh my... Wouldn't that just be the frosting on the cake? :duc So I'm hoping the only reason you're "not too thrilled" is because she isn't completely tamed yet? Based on what you shared, she should be OK. Oh, and from what I understand, some does get very lovey-dovey and needy right as they're about to go into labor, so maybe she'll bond with you then? Man, for a newbie, you're covering about every base there is! :clap

There are lots of kidding threads on here. Wouldn't hurt to peruse a few in your copious amounts of free time :D =D I know... :smack But it IS exciting!!

Yes! The only reason I'm not thrilled is because I haven't friendlied her up, yet. That, and I don't have a separate pen for mom and babies... I love babies! But if she has them before getting friendly, I might just make them bottle babies because I don't need an entire herd of goats scared of me.

I can't fine an older picture if you posted it but that picture sure looks suspect. That udder looks tight, and that is usually an indicator that there are pretty close. You can't catch her at all? You may notice her standing off by herself when labor starts. If you can't catch her all you can do is watch and chances are she'll be fine. You can take the babies as she has them and put them in a separate pen if you have one, she should follow. You need to dip their umbilical cords in iodine, and if all goes well that is all you should need to do.

I didn't post the picture of her from behind (the only one I have, and it was pretty crappy) But her teat in relation to her leg is totally different. I wish I had a separate pen for her, but all I have is a dog crate, and that's not okay for giving birth. I'm hoping I'm just being paranoid, but her teats are just huge. I haven't seen any discharge, or anything like that.

Additionally, what does it mean when a goat raises their tail every time you're near them?
 

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The udder pic looks to me like there is definitely fill.

As far as her not being friendly...

We had a doe we brought in at 3-4 months... we waited for this breeding and this doe. Her dam is a jerk! Her dam was handled etc but it is just her.. her personality and her offspring take after that.
This is a Nigerian Dwarf BTW.
Anyway, despite the handling she had from the breeder and then by us she remained, like her mom, a snot. A VERY unenjoyable goat.
Winter of last year she was bred. Kidded in March.
This goat never wants you too touch her or anything- a toatl brat.
Have I emphasized how much of a snot she was? :p
Notice I said WAS! ;)
The day she went into labor ( very fast BTW) we put her in a stall she pushed out came kid we pulled kid immediately. 2nd kid same thing.
By pulled I mean whisked away- she never cleaned or saw the kids.
Took kids to house cleaned them up, I stayed with the doe and waited for afterbirth etc. After that passed, walked her to the milkstand cleaned her up and then she got milked out for colostrum.

She had never been milked, a first freshener, she stood there perfect. Often in their mind they just know "something" should be milking.

That was the end of the jerky snotty goat!
She thought WE were the babies. She became loving and affectionate and is no longer a brat.

Her kids were bottle raised. This is where it gets interesting as far as how much genetics and temperament play a role.

NEVER out of all the kids we have raised on our farm, whether dam raised or bottle raised, have we had kids we didn't like.
:hide:hide:hide

Her twins BOTTLE RAISED mind you- were jerks!
First time I ever thought I can't stand these goats!
Friends would come and visit, many come to see our babies and love them... this was the first time ever that across the board each person said... they are awful. :eek::eek::eek:
I would say- I KNOW :(

They are 5 months now and MUCH MUCH better. Still hope :D
Their mom is a lovey now. We are her "babies". She is a great milker and a beautiful doe...

I said all that to say pulling the kids MAY help with the bond with you.

One of our other goats was always a love but we pulled her first kid as well... she thinks we are her kids too!
 

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Be a "REAL" goat mom and let her have the kid(s) in your living room! Isn't that why it's named such? :hide:rant:smack:gig
 
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