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Original poster

help...does anyone have GOATS??

20 replies

malodorantemelly · 20/05/2006 17:56

we have 3 pygmy goats (which are the cutest things in the world!)

One gave birth last night, and babe is ok, but when she tries to feed from mum, she just gets a couple of sucks before mum moves her back leg over her and walks off. Does this mean the baby is not getting enough? How long before we panic, I know that the colostrum is needed essentially in the 1st 24 hours, and then preferably to feed at least 2 weeks or so. We do not want to milk the mum, we want baby to feed naturally, so I need to know how long we wait?
Mum is 1 year old and I presume this is her first baby. But she is protective of her, and they are always close together, so are the signs good or bad?

OP posts:
2ndtime · 21/05/2006 00:11

I only have experience of cows and sheep, but if the kid is hungry, i.e.looking to feed frequently, I would hold mum still while it got a belly full. If this is a first baby it may take a while for mum to get the hang of things, but once she realises that feeding her baby makes her feel much more comfortable she will oblige and stand still. You are right re. colostrum, and if she wont feed baby at all milking mum may be the best thing as without the vital nutrients in colostrum your kid is left open to all sorts of problems. Even if you give an expressed bottle for the first time or two it shouldnt stop mum from feeding when the penny drops. Good luck.xx

Original poster
malodorantemelly · 23/05/2006 09:31

Thanks, both seem to be getting the hang of it now, mum is staying more still and babe is trying when she wants to. Still only feeding for very short times, but is bright and alert.

New problem now.... Both mum and baby have diarrhea (ahh spelling!), do I call the vet?

OP posts:
cod · 23/05/2006 09:33

i SO wnat someone to have goats

Original poster
malodorantemelly · 23/05/2006 09:49

it is a serious bloody question cod, so unless you have something of any importance to add, piss off my thread!

OP posts:
Tutter · 23/05/2006 09:51

i thought it said coats Blush

expatinscotland · 23/05/2006 09:57

i think i'd at least phone the vet. it's possible it's just a postpartum thing.

handlemecarefully · 30/05/2006 21:57

Hi,

How is the kid doing now?

And when things have settled a bit, can I pick your brains about pigmy goats?

LadyCodofCOdford · 30/05/2006 21:57

i want goats

LadyCodofCOdford · 30/05/2006 21:58

i was being srious last time :(

handlemecarefully · 30/05/2006 21:59

Hmmmmm - do you?

Actually, in all seriousness I do.

Have had the chickens for over a year now, dog is now 5 months old and very easy to look after. I need a new challenge.

brimfull · 30/05/2006 22:01

think this should be in the breastfeeding section.
nct for goats?

expatinscotland · 30/05/2006 22:02

My sister now has a goat.

She's got a mini-farm, actually.

handlemecarefully · 30/05/2006 22:06

Ummm - Expat any chance she might exchange a few emails with some random wierdy from mumsnet(me) Grin who is hoping to acquire a couple of goats (pigmy goats) and wants to ask a few questions about it?

expatinscotland · 30/05/2006 22:08

she's in the US, HMC. she sort of happened upon this goat, although she had been wanting one for a while and her husband didnt b/c they've already got: 3 hens, 3 cats, 2 dogs, 3 rabbits, 4 guinae pigs and 2 hamsters.

Oh, and a HUGE garden and chicken run.

But they live out in the boonies and a farmer friend of theirs offered her a female kid. Her name is Dakota and she's VERY cute.

But she chews. A lot.

It's a good thing their garden is surrounded by a chain link fence and they live on 3 acres.

handlemecarefully · 30/05/2006 22:12

I've got similar pet owning aspirations to your sister (minus the cats - allergic!)

expatinscotland · 30/05/2006 22:22

she's a nut about animals, HMC. she's a teacher, too. her husband keeps telling her 'no more animals', but it never works.

that's why when they moved last year they bought a bigger plot of land. he busted his ass building a sort of shed/house/coop for them all from a kit, complete w/concrete foundation, and now she's saying she wants a cockrel, too!

all of her animals are from rescue shelters and they're well loved by her and her two girls.

BIL won't admit it, but he loves 'em, too.

handlemecarefully · 30/05/2006 22:26

I think - if you are lucky enough to have the space to house them, owning a variety of pets is quite good for children too...

expatinscotland · 30/05/2006 22:29

land is dirt cheap where they live - outside houston, TX.

BILs dad died last year and left them a fair amount of money, so they were able to trade suburbia for a bit of space, which they'd always wanted.

BIL grew up on a farm, so he likes being out in the boonies.

southeastastra · 30/05/2006 22:52

i want a goat too!

southeastastra · 30/05/2006 22:59

no sorry i dont want a goat,

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