newton's the goats journal

[Bruce]

Good luck! It worked for me with a broody 2 years ago. All set with another broody this year but she wouldn't stay on the nest in the brooding area in the coop even though she was glued in the nest boxes and screaming at me when I got near.

I let her out a couple of days before the chicks arrived (last Tuesday). Instead of going back to the nest box as I expected, she rejoined the flock. Hoping to move the chicks out in the coop tomorrow but I have a couple of things to do so the Mama Heating Pad cave can be moved out there. Like drilling a hole in the wall for the power cord, no outlets in the coop. Wasn't a problem last time, Zorra doesn't need electricity to stay warm I also have to make a cover for the chick portal so they don't start venturing into the coop too soon. Today I have other things I need to do so I won't be able to stay out with the chicks to see how things are going. Should be able to tomorrow.

 

[newton the goat]

Right now I have her "hatching" some plastic easter eggs funny thing is she happily accepted them and turns them like she would with normal eggs, the chicks come on the 9th

 

[Bruce]

My broodies do that too, they'll even try to hatch nothing but the shavings in the nest box. When I moved Clemence to the brooding area last week she had a green plastic egg gripped tightly under her wing. Zorra had a "miracle" hatch 2 years ago - 3 plastic eggs yielded 7 chicks. Guess her math skills aren't very good.

 

[newton the goat]

My broodies do that too, they'll even try to hatch nothing but the shavings in the nest box. When I moved Clemence to the brooding area last week she had a green plastic egg gripped tightly under her wing. Zorra had a "miracle" hatch 2 years ago - 3 plastic eggs yielded 7 chicks. Guess her math skills aren't very good.

One of my friends broody hens hatched 6 chicks from a crab apple chicken math is amazing

 

[luvmypets]

Sorry you're having trouble with newton. I know your dad is set on "going natural" but you really don't want tetanus. Although I have never had to deal with it I have had a couple close calls that have given me enough insight on how bad it could be. I just gave our herd CDT shots last week, 12 in total. You can buy a vial of CDT at TSC, or you can order it online. Its super easy to give as well. You should try persuading your dad

 

[newton the goat]

Sorry you're having trouble with newton. I know your dad is set on "going natural" but you really don't want tetanus. Although I have never had to deal with it I have had a couple close calls that have given me enough insight on how bad it could be. I just gave our herd CDT shots last week, 12 in total. You can buy a vial of CDT at TSC, or you can order it online. Its super easy to give as well. You should try persuading your dad

I'm definitly going to... I don't want sick animals. Hope since he's going to be home more often that we need to get the shots done and over with. I don't want to risk anything serious

 

[purplequeenvt]

Even if you don't do anything else (which I don't recommend), absolutely give CDT.

Tetanus is NOT something that you want to deal with. Ever. I have lost a handful of animals to tetanus and it is excruciating for the animal and ugly to watch.

Worming is also extremely important (also important that it is done correctly). There is absolutely no point in raising animals if you are going to sit back and watch them die of things that could have easily been prevented.

Your dad needs to figure out if he is wanting to do things "natural" or if he's just being cheap. Keeping animals comes with a cost attached and if he's not willing to pay that, he needs to reconsider raising livestock.

Sorry if my bluntness comes across as rude, but I have sat back and watched too many people (not on here necessarily) do bare minimum of medical care because they are doing things naturally/organically or they are just too cheap and as a result, the animals suffered and some died.

 

[newton the goat]

Even if you don't do anything else (which I don't recommend), absolutely give CDT.

Tetanus is NOT something that you want to deal with. Ever. I have lost a handful of animals to tetanus and it is excruciating for the animal and ugly to watch.

Worming is also extremely important (also important that it is done correctly). There is absolutely no point in raising animals if you are going to sit back and watch them die of things that could have easily been prevented.

Your dad needs to figure out if he is wanting to do things "natural" or if he's just being cheap. Keeping animals comes with a cost attached and if he's not willing to pay that, he needs to reconsider raising livestock.

Sorry if my bluntness comes across as rude, but I have sat back and watched too many people (not on here necessarily) do bare minimum of medical care because they are doing things naturally/organically or they are just too cheap and as a result, the animals suffered and some died.

I agree completely with what you said (don't worry it wasn't rude at all ) I am getting on my dad's case about worming and he's kinda a little annoyed at me right now because I keep bringing it up when he tells me we will talk about it later. I'm going to look into finding a vile of ctd, luvmypets says I can get it at tsc so I'll go take a look there. Trust me I'm not letting my dad get away with doing thw bare minimum. Where would I get the needles? And how do I inject it? Any instructions would be happily taken to mind

 

[samssimonsays]

I was told giving the CDT under the armpit keeps the lump it leaves from being visible on the shoulder where it is usually given. But that is for show goats.... so I guess it is up to you lol.

Also, I wouldn't be keeping Newton if she were that mean. We just got rid of a doe for that reason. And we loved that girl. The health and safety of the entire herd must come over one in my mind. Sorry, just my opinion.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I second that opinion. I just sold a goat who kept everything in turmoil....much nicer without her around. She was an easy milker and gave loads of milk - but it wasn't worth the fight...