Samssimonsays: Blazing Acres journal

OneFineAcre · Jun 22, 2015

Samantha drawz said:
I'm so glad he took it in stride! That is so important. I am shocked at how many people just don't at the shows... and they are adults!

I tried Champaign D'Argents and it was a nightmare my first show. So I sold them. I just didn't want to deal with anyone who couldn't compete fairly.

When people talk to me who are interested in showing goats I always tell them that if they will get upset or down on their animal if it comes in last then they shouldn't do it
It will surely happen

samssimonsays · Jun 23, 2015

OneFineAcre said:
When people talk to me who are interested in showing goats I always tell them that if they will get upset or down on their animal if it comes in last then they shouldn't do it
It will surely happen

I totally agree with you OneFineAcre!

I share with people My first show experience as a kid so that they know it doesn't mean you're a failure because someone doesn't like your animal. Everyone's opinion is sooo different and everyone is looking at something a little differently. I was told that I should eat what I had for rabbits and get "real" rabbits all because she didn't like the mini lop breed I had, thought they were a useless pet breed. That made me even more driven to get even better stock and continue to improve and show her I was determined to stick with the breed. Since it was county fair and she was nasty to so many other kids she never was asked back :weee

But the next year I rocked it with even better rabbits

Been hooked ever since. So as much as it sucked and was a bad memory she IS a big reason behind my drive and persistence. LOVE the constant struggle to improve lines, improve areas of weakness, and improve the breed in general. When I get negative feedback it does really suck but it also makes you aware of the areas to improve on and once you know strengths and weaknesses of your animals you can accurately cross them to one who is the perfect counter part or play around with different ones to find the best mix. :clap

My favorite part is that there is no "perfect" animal and you are always striving to get better. I have probably hooked more people that way than anything. And if I see a kid who is down on themselves due to a comment I will remind them that NO ONE who has the top animals got there in a day or even a year. They had to work hard and go through everything they are going through.

There are several judges who have no table side manners though and are way more rough than they need to be while judging. For us adults it is not a big deal but when we hear the things they tell kids and the kids leave in tears it really bothers me. One told a kid they should be ashamed for putting an animal up and not catching its fault. I probably wouldn't have caught a broken toe that happened in the carrier at the show either. At my home before loading them, yes. But not once they are loaded. :smack

Since then I have joined my local club and have learned which judges to request not to come back... Sounds horrible but with 3 years in a row of the same judge being rude to the youth and causing them to not come back, I had had it. :barnie

samssimonsays · Jun 25, 2015

At the moment, all babies have deflated and are recovering well from the bloat outbreak. We only lost 3 of the 20 which, compared to how bad it could have been, is pretty good IMO! It still sucks that two of my favorites and one that was sold didn't make it but the other 17 are on the road to recovery now and I am thrilled! Still not at ease yet, but happy to see NORMAL BELLIED BABIES!

I continued the supplements through it and only pulled the hay. I firmly believe the hay was just too green for them to handle. I purchased two more bales last night from the store and they were the normal hay I had usually been getting. The other stuff was waaaay too much alfalfa most likely for their little systems to handle it. Now I know! Of course the GOATS loved it more than the normal stuff :barnie

They look at me like I am being mean now that they have the regular hay back. Ya win some, ya lose some I guess. :gig

Hens and Roos · Jun 25, 2015

Glad that they are starting to feel better :hugs

. Could you possible mix the more alfalfa hay in with your other hay for the goats.....that way they get a little at a time?

samssimonsays · Jun 25, 2015

I would but I finished the bale last night after only feeding it to the goats. Now they are all back to regular what they are used to.

animalmom · Jun 25, 2015

Samantha drawz said:
We can't buy or order anything online thanks to Minnesota laws... I will try to remember to take a picture of it for you.

@Samantha drawz, do you mean you can't order over-the-counter animal items, or just items that need a prescription? vetapprovedrx.com has a probiotic called florentero - dial a dose paste 15 ml that I've used with my rabbits. This does not need a RX. It must taste good to them because once they realize you aren't murdering them, they will eat it right out of the tube.

Glad to here the babies are doing better and hope for a full recovery for the rest.

samssimonsays · Jun 25, 2015

Thank you @animalmom For not being able to buy anything over the counter I was meaning about certain meds and prescriptions lol Sorry for the confusion. I will be looking into the availability of these in my area thank you so much for all of the awesome advice!