Updated 3/29/12 Melissa Farm Picture Journal *New Pictures Pg 10*

[Melissa'sDreamFarm]

BioTracking confirmed none pregnant. Of course I have no clue what to look for, I just hate to lock Cerina in with Hershey, I was feeding Hershey and Dell alfalfa pellets and hay. They were looking good. I still feed Cerina grain as she is still growing. Do you see where I'm getting at? Cerina would have to separated from Dell, she is still too young. But Dell needs to go in with the girls to breed them. I just hate "apple cart turnover". My feeding times had gotten so much better with the boys separated out. Dang it.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

If it were me I'd keep the boys where they are and hand breed the does. Do they share a fenceline? It makes it easy to tell who's cycling because the doe will be over at the fence mooning over the buck.

 

[Melissa'sDreamFarm]

Yep they share a fence line and the only time they go over there is when I feed the boys first, lol. I'll give it another try.

 

[Melissa'sDreamFarm]

Just a picture update of AB. I like to keep them here so I can see progression, which I do. I know SEE the difference in under-weight versus a little padding. To me AB looks just about right. Thanks Kate!!!

You see her filled in more around the spine and upper tail head. I can actually squish a little flesh above the tail head. She doesn't care for "said squishing", but I love to give her a little scratch now and then, lol.

Millie and Cerina

Sky, who is a little fat, she has an udder forming, but BioTracking said none of my does were pregnant. Do does who are over-weight get a little udder, like women who are overweight have more fat stored in their chest? The only reason I have a chest is because I'm a little fluffy, lol.

She was bred again to Dell on August 26, when he showed interest, but she was also put back with him again on 9/23 when she showed interest. I just may end up with pet goats, this breeding thing is not easy. Dell, Hershey and my boar goat Jenny have been "put to pasture" as in my friend 5 miles down the road got rid of all his boars and the pasture started growing all kinds of weeds. So they have been put to work cleaning it up. I might have to let a couple of my other girls "go to pasture" so they can be with Dell if I see any more signs of heat.

I found a Nubian breeder 10 miles from me, I plan on buying a spring buckling to bred Cerina to next fall. She has several color combinations and even spotted nubians. But I'm not sure I like those spots too much. I like the solids more.

 

[Melissa'sDreamFarm]

I should correct myself, these are 2 month progress photos.

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Yes, doelings will develop a little pad of adipose tissue- it's particularly noticeable when they're well conditioned.

 

[Goatmasta]

My 2 cents...

With dairy does in particular, you want them almost too fat when you breed them. They will put a lot of that condition into their babies, and you want to do your best to keep them that way during the pregnancy if you can. When they kid and lactation begins (provided you have a fairly good doe) they will milk the condition away quickly. If they are not at proper weight at the beginning of lactation, you will rarely be able to catch up, you most likely will have to dry them off early and end up with a bag of bones instead of a slightly thin good conditioned doe.

 

[Melissa'sDreamFarm]

Things have changed a lot since I last posed. I tried my hand at shaving girlie parts and I do not have the talent you guys have. Don't laugh at their hair cuts, it was my first time.

Millie, I first noticed her udder filling up Christmas Eve.

I noticed Skye's udder forming January 13th

So how much longer do you guys think I have to go? I've tried and tried to find those pencil ligaments, but I can't say I've found them to know if they have softened.

 

[Melissa'sDreamFarm]

September, when I'm guessing she was bred

Yesterday, January 25th

September

Yesterday, January 25th

 

[SmallFarmGirl]

The first doe looks like she'll kid alot earlier then the second one.