LHF kidding 2012 PHOTOS AFTER THE STORM

[20kidsonhill]

Checking ligaments

I have never checked the does ligaments, but have read about it on this forum, so this year I thought I would practice my ligament checking skills.

What I have learned so far as a beginner ligament checker........

-It is surprising how firm across the hip they feel, if their ligaments are not soft. But when their ligaments are soft you can put your fingers around their back bone near the base of the tail.

-Many of my goats don't appreciate my attempts of checking ligaments, hence the reason I have never attempted this in the past. They look at my like I have clearly lost my mind.

-Snowball's ligaments appear to be gone.

-I think checking ligaments will come in handy with Lorily the doe that prolapsed, since I will need to cut out her stitches when she goes into labor. Although I don't think Lorily is going to apprecate it as much as I will.

 

[Mamaboid]

Checking ligaments

I have never checked the does ligaments, but have read about it on this forum, so this year I thought I would practice my ligament checking skills.

What I have learned so far as a beginner ligament checker........

-It is surprising how firm across the hip they feel, if their ligaments are not soft. But when their ligaments are soft you can put your fingers around their back bone near the base of the tail.

-Many of my goats don't appreciate my attempts of checking ligaments, hence the reason I have never attempted this in the past. They look at my like I have clearly lost my mind.

-Snowball's ligaments appear to be gone.

-I think checking ligaments will come in handy with Lorily the doe that prolapsed, since I will need to cut out her stitches when she goes into labor. Although I don't think Lorily is going to apprecate it as much as I will.

I have learned a little trick with Elsie. She likes good hard deep muscle rubs up and down her back and legs, so I start with that and kinda sneaky like I work my way to the ligs and can usually get a good check in before she figures out that something went "south" with the massage. Come on Snowball. Good luck.

 

[autumnprairie]

Good Morning, I hope you have a great Saturday

 

[20kidsonhill]

No babies this morning, girls went up to pasture to take a walk. It is a beautiful day her, with sun, and I am planning on taking some pictures of the girls outside, if they will cooperate.

We have been putting a couple of the younger does and less dominant does in stalls at night, and last night most of them were in their stall waiting for us to close them in. Love it when it gets easier. We have also found that this can help near kidding time, gives them a sense of a certain area in the barn is theirs so if they go into labor during the day when we are busy, they may go lay back in their night time pen. Sometimes it works, sometimes the big does force them to stay outside.

Dancer is getting huge, but holding up well, her udder hasn't plumped up yet, but her ligaments are softening.

Galloway doe is walking stiff and her bag is getting plump.

Nova looks to me to maybe only be carrying a single, but the younger does can fool you.

OH, I noticed my young doe, Classy Lady, actually had a small bag hanging, Yah, I am feeling better about her being pregnant. Although her due date is a myster to me, End of February or later for sure.

Aunt B, who I haven't been posting about, was sick about 6 weeks after she was bred and aborted, she was rebred December 31, She has an odd discharge today, clearish, but tinged with a bit of blood. NOt the right timing for being in heat. Unless her cycle is 28 days, and not 21 like a normal goat, she isn't acting like she is in heat. Not sure what to think, other than it isn't normal and not looking too hopeful for babies from her. This is my hornless doe and she is so timid, I have to put her in with the 6 month olds, even though she is 6 years old and weighs atleast 150 to 170lbs depending on the condition she is carrying.

So the totals in the barn that is for sure bred is 20, and if you count Classy lady, then there is 21. Was expecting 23, but daisy and Aunt B are for sure out of the game. I also have two February does that were bred Nov 18th, by accident, But I am not positive they actually are pregnant. I feel like since they are 2 months pregnant, I should beable to tell, but not positive yet.

Fuzzball is also, bred but we will be lutalysing her today to abort her since the wrong buck got in with her, and she is only 80lbs.

I am a little frustrated about loosing two of my best does out of the count, Daisy is a full-blood, and even though Aunt B isn't full=blood she is great commercial doe and I was really looking forward to seeing kids from her, so far I have kept one doeling from aunt B, her name is Little B and she is one of the feb. Doelings that may be bred.

Okay, Sorry for babbling. if you actually read all of that you win a prize.

 

[ksj0225]

When the kids hit the ground I will drive up to redeem my prize!!! I'll even let you pick the doe... LOL

 

[20kidsonhill]

When the kids hit the ground I will drive up to redeem my prize!!! I'll even let you pick the doe... LOL

You actually, read all of that. Let's hope for lots of does then.

 

[daisychick]

I want my prize to be a cute little doe. . I love reading All of your journal, I am learning a lot. It is great info for a newbie to breeding, like me.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

Good luck w/ the prolapsed doe! One of my ewes prolapsed last year, and the vet had to stitch her up. I checked her every 2 hours round the clock every day I could. I work full time, so I would find ways to leave work at lunch and come home to check on her. The ONE day I absolutely could not get home she lambed. :/ She pushed so hard to get the lambs out the area to the side of her vulva tore and that's how she had them. It broke my heart. I felt like the worst human being on the planet! The vet came out and stitched her back up, and after a round of antibiotics and a week wearing a prolapse harness she was fine. The lambs were fine too, luckily. She is now living on a friend's farm as their pet and doing well. Hopefully you'll have better luck with your doe! But I agree she probably should be culled. It really stinks, doesn't it?!

 

[RPC]

What kind of prize do I get??????? I love this thread so I read all of your posts at the way LOL. Good luck sorry Daisy and Aunt B are out for this year but hopefully you get lots of kids with the other 21 does.

 

[Mamaboid]

Ok, by my count you need about 6 does for prizes. Good luck on getting lots of nice babies, hopefully mostly does.