As we get closer to April and new goat kids, I have been keeping a closer eye on the pregnant does. Everyone seemed to be just fine until a couple of days ago when I noticed that Loretta did not seem to be interested in food. She is the thinnest of the girls and last year I had trouble determining if she was pregnant up until she started developing an udder prior to giving birth to her single baby.
I got concerned after about 2 days of not seeing her eat and I called the Vet. I also did some online “research” and according to what I found, the symptoms were consistent with ketosis. When I described what I was seeing to the Vet. I was told to take her temperature and report back. Her temperature was normal but the Vet. told me to bring her in. So I loaded her into the truck and got the six million dollar dog loaded up and off to the Animal Hospital we go. When the vet examined her she said ” I thought so”, told me she as too skinny and asked if she was bottom of the pecking order in the herd. She is, by the way and she has been bullied by Rosie for the past few weeks, but Rosie has been belligerent with all of the other goats as well.
I was told that Loretta has a touch of pneumonia. She got two antibiotic shots, and I was told to keep her isolated from the herd and bring her and Skeeter back on Saturday for re-examination. I also have another antibiotic shot to give her today. I wasn’t sure how to isolate her since I don’t have that much living space for goats. I finally decided to take Abby out of her new place, put Rascal on a tie out and place Loretta and Skeeter “in isolation” until Saturday. Abby went back in with the big girls until this gets sorted out.
Loretta seems to be doing much better today. When I got her by herself and gave her hay and currant bush clippings she started eating again. She can escape Rascal by moving beyond the reach of his tie-out and he can still reach food, water and shelter. Everyone may not be happy with this arrangement, but it is only temporary.
Now the hard part. I have had Rosie since the beginning, but I did not breed her this season due to the complications last year. If I look at the base cause of Loretta’s illness, and the potential harm Rosie could do to newborn kids, I can only see one solution. I have to get rid of her. I’m not sure I could have her butchered. I may be able to eventually overcome the thought of eating a valued herd member (almost a pet). I’m sure my wife would not. So I will have to sell her. I also have one buck too many and I can’t afford to just feed goats that I don’t need. I have to sell Buck-O as well. I know that Al’s cows ended up in their freezer when they no longer produced. I’m not there yet.
In other news, I bought replacement chickens since I know that the current flock will only produce eggs well for the next year. I went wild and bought a pair of runner ducks too. I was talking to someone at church last Sunday and she commented that I was “just like a REAL farmer!”. I take that as a good sign. I don’t have the same issues with butchering chickens that don’t produce. I guess I’m just not as attached to them as I am to the goats.
To end on a positive note, NEW CHICKEN (and DUCK) pictures:
