Misfitmorgan's - Babies 2020

[misfitmorgan]

We have now talked to a couple more producers up here, seems we actually did better then most sadly. The other producers numbers 6 of 7, 3 of 5 and 14 of 17 died/DOA for lambs at three other local places. For goats reporting around 75% loss on kids. Piglets at least two other producers had 100% loss on multiple litters, total 5 farrows. Havn't talked to anyone with calves.

Seems everyone has a combo of freak weather(super cold/flooding), weak lambs, rejections and cocci/parasite issues. The only close local producer I know who had 85% success on lambing locks all of his ewes up inside on January 1st, shears them all, worms them all, and puts close ewes in jugs with heat barrels. He has however lost 3 adult ewes to cocci(he didnt treat for it because it was winter) and several others are still recovering. As a result livestock prices this year are up and available livestock is slim. 4-h lambs/kids are now pushing $300 each and piglets $200 each which is not normal for this area.

It's a bit comforting to know it wasnt just us but I still feel a lot of it could have been avoided if we had better facilities/not been busy with family medical issues.

One of the local producers was so mad at his livestock he had ever single pig and sheep sold/butchered and bought all new stock. After talking to some other producers locally he kind of feels like a moron which he should

 

[misfitmorgan]

Almost forgot...in other news.

Phoebe should be due the 26th and her back end is swelling up, she has about half a bag made. She has labored breathing and it makes me wonder if she has pneumonia or she is just that pregnant. Phoebe usually starts to make a bag about a month before kidding so she seems on schedule.

 

[Baymule]

In your defense, you had just moved to a new place right before winter set in. You didn't know how winter treated your place, on top of that, you had horrible weather.

 

[misfitmorgan]

In your defense, you had just moved to a new place right before winter set in. You didn't know how winter treated your place, on top of that, you had horrible weather.

We did have a year Bay...we just didnt get enough done. More things are already getting marked off the to do list. Despite having 6" of snow dumped on us we have been making progress.

 

[Baymule]

You will be better prepared for winter this year.

 

[misfitmorgan]

I really hope so!

 

[Bruce]

Yeah what Bay said! You've got all summer to work things the way you need them. And it is nice to know that you weren't alone in your troubles. Hopefully next season will be better for everyone around.

 

[misfitmorgan]

Well Phoebe has been Doe coding us to death. She has looked like she is ready to start labor any second since friday afternoon

Still no babies of course but she doesn't seem to be at all in stress, and she is happily eating like a pig.

 

[misfitmorgan]

Well Phoebe has done it again. Every year she does this to us. All the signs of going into labor any minute...and nothing. Pigging out on feed without seemingly a care in the world. I put her in with Big boy on 11/24 and saw him mount her on 11/26 which should mean babies done cooking on 4/25 but it seems she had her own ideas. Last year she did this for 2 weeks...doe code

It doesn't really help that she never fully dries off and she starts making a bag a month or more before kidding. I've tried drying her off repeatedly with no success which seems odd to me for Boer but she is 25% Nubian.

In other news, Charlotte has decided she doesn't really like people Which is weird because her mom and dad are both the friendliest goats we own, charlotte used to like me just fine. She sees her parents all over the people but will stand just out of reach and if you reach to touch her she runs away i'm hoping once she goes in the weaning pen she will friendly up.

 

[Mike CHS]

I quit trying to figure out some of the personalities. We have a bunch that are as tame as our house dogs and a few that will run if you just look at them.