The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: ScotsGirl on February 22, 2013, 08:45:03 am
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My little doeling died in the night. She wasn't very lively from birth but did seem to feed. Always half lying down and cried when picked up. I only have lambs to compare to and as this is my first kid I don't know what I should be seeing regards vigor and alertness.
What do I do about mum who is crying? I have taken milk out to relieve udder for now but how long should I do this for? Would she adopt a kid if others have multiples?
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:'( :'( OMG I am so very sorry. I can only offer sympathy as know nothing at all about goats, but I really feel for you and especially for the distraught mum. :bouquet:
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Oh no, that's unexpected?
Don't think you did anything wrong, sudden death at this young age would probably point to some kind of heart problem? And she was quite a bit overdue. You could ask the vet to open her up to see if that was the case, or anything else internally not being as it should be. If that#s the case you wouldn't want to repeat the mating with that specific sire.
RE her milk: I have no idea how easíly she would accept another kid to suckle, but you could try to suppplementary feed (by bottle or tube) another kid (triplet) and once her milk comes out at the end of that kid she may accept it. In the early stages it would probably need two of you to hold the nanny(one person) and latch on a kid (second person, until kid is confident, when only one person needed to hold the nanny). Tying the nanny up might help as well. BUT I have never had to do this. The nanny may try to sit down.
If she lets you milk her I would continue to milk and probably bottle feed any kids that need it.
I am so sorry, losing a kid this suddenly is just devastating. :bouquet:
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How long will the milk keep in fridge? Can I combine a days worth of milk in one bottle then is it better to freeze as other kids not due for a few days?
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Oh that is so sad I know just how you feel :hug:
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How long will the milk keep in fridge? Can I combine a days worth of milk in one bottle then is it better to freeze as other kids not due for a few days?
If you haven't got any other kids due for a few days I would freeze the milk. You can keep that in reserve and if/when the need arises for a spare kid you can first use fresh milk from her and keep the current stuff in reserve. Also very good to keep for any lambs that need topping, especially if you only have a little milk and plan to foster the lamb onto another ewe in a few days.
Healthy goat kids can be slow to start with, but within a day or two they will play and investigate their pen. Sometimes not as much if they are a single though, as no playmate.
I honestly think there wasn't much you could have done, she was feeding and externally alll looked fine. She probably had an internal fault. Still heartbreaking I know.
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So sorry to hear about this. :(
If it's still colostrum freeze it in small bottles in case needed for other kids or lambs.
Sounds like some internal problem especially if she cried when you picked her up.
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So sorry for you and mum Scotsgirl, devastated.
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Oh no! So sorry to read this. :hug:
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So sorry, Scotsgirl, but I agree you don't need to blame yourself. It happens. :bouquet:
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Oh that's just terrible -so sorry to read this. Not so sure on the crying on picking up thing, I find my more outgoing kids rarely cry when picked up but where mum is a bit over protective they sometimes scream the house down.
Good luck with your next kidding.
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Poor you - just nature I think probably correcting a mistake. So hard to lose a kid, it seems such a waste of a little life.
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I am so sorry :( Cant even imagine how your feeling
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SO sorry Scotsgirl - nature seems so cruel sometimes, poor you and poor Mum. xx
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I milked her yesterday and one side this morning but couldn't get milk out the side used by the kid. I'm not brilliant at milking as new to it and couldn't get much out today so wonder if that was part of the problem and she maybe didn't get enough.
I will just have to be a bit more careful with the others. Mum seems fine and gives me a good groom while I try to get milk. Nature is cruel
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Does the udder feel full? hot? lumpy? can you see a blockage over the teat that you are finding harder to milk?
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The trouble with us humans is that we think that because we're cleverer than the other species (well, there is a rumour to that effect) then we should be able to fix everything. But we can't. With a young animal of any sort it's very often the case that if something seems wrong on the outside then there's also something wrong on the inside.
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Her udder has never been as full as the others. It doesn't feel hard or burning hot although it is warm. No lumps and teats feel rubbery but that may be normal, as I said I am a complete novice!
I will freeze what I have taken and leave her now but just check her each day.
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Oh this is horrible to read about. Your poor Mummy goat pining for her baby. I feel really sad now. A big cuddle on its way to both of you! :hug: :hug:
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Sorry to hear this Scotsgirl, poor little baby. Hope mum is OK, please make sure you are milking that quarter out.
But just remember, many goat keepers take the baby away anyway, how are the others doing?
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I am so sorry to hear your news. I am sure that Mum appreciates what you are doing more than ever :bouquet:
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Mum got over it remarkably well and her udder seems ok. She has sore feet but inside so I don't understand why. I gave her ABs last night And will give them a wash at weekend when I can see.
I have two due from today but nothing so far and hoping all goes well. Having better luck with lambs, 11 so far and 5 left to lamb.
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A sad start but sounds like you are going strong now, long may it continue. Please when you can see :excited: I am getting itchy feet to get somewhere I can have livestock when I read about all you guys having newborns bouncing about :love:
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Sad start for you, were you there when kid was born ? just wondering if kid was maybe injured at birth.
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Unfortunately I wasn't there but didn't miss it by much. I have just had vet out for triplets which were tangled and I couldn't deliver. Judging by size of them there was definitely something wrong with other as only half the size and a single.
I remember the breeder having a few last year that were 'dwarfed' and I wonder if it is something in the breeding.
Two out of three triplets survived so not too bad.
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Something to look into before breeding from her again.
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I think it must be in Billy's side as it affected several does but not mine.
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He should be going on the long one way walk then :innocent: