The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Penninehillbilly on March 27, 2013, 01:02:42 pm
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Due to various circumstances last year, I didn't see the 2 yearlings in season, or any activity from Billyboy, so I haven't been expecting anything from them until after 18th April, when I ran them with him from Nov 19th. Yesterday morning, 10am all eating and happy, had to go out 3pm, went to top hay up before I went out - 2 little white babies, just about cleaned and dry. They seem too small, but I have to remind myself they have to be carried inside her and then come out, so small is normal and best. Because I wasn't expecting anything yet I hadn't increased her ration as soon as maybe I should have done.
Tried to milk 'mum' last night to make sure they had colostrum, but she doesn't have teats, she has pimples! no way can I milk them ::) . babes seem to be feeding OK anyway, she seems to have plenty of milk, that must have come on quick as well.
Both boys but at least that saves me worrying what to do with them. :yum:
About 10 days ago there was a dog in the field, the goats panicked and barged through a narrow gateway, just wondering if
a, this could have affected her to kid early (she was with the billy on 7th Novmbr, so that would be 10 days early, though I didn't see any action that day
b, are kids fully formed at 10 days early?
Of course she could be just on time and I just didn't see the sneaky pair, but I can't help wondering if the dog caused a problem.
Haven't got any photos yet, but they are just little white saanen type, though 75% Togg, 25% BS.
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wee half pints, lovely, well done you and mum :goat: :goat: :goat:
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Hope they do well and mum is fine :thumbsup:
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If they are suckling they sound well :thumbsup: look forward to piccies :eyelashes:
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With no udder it does sound as if they might be early but if they are getting colostrum and then milk, they should be ok.
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Tonight I noticed she wouldn't let them feed from her right side, i tried to milk her out a little but the teats are so small I couldn't milk her (literally the width of my thumb), though her udder is full, the kid latched on while I held her leg back, and seemed to feed OK but noisy, then the other had some, milk was flowing OK.
Can kids suck OK on such small teats?
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Yes they can. One of my BT line has very small teats, I was worried the milking machine cluster wouldn't stay on... but it did. Teats should get a bit bigger with tiime/suckling, but probably not by much...
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Apple one of our BTs has tiny teats aswell, its a case of using a finger and thumb untill you get her softened off a bit. She has also been milked on the machine without any problems . Her foster kid is feeding well off her
hope yours continue to thrive :fc:
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mum had a goat kid 10 days early 1 dead billy & 1 live female she had breathing problems for the first few days we think due to poor lung function but after lots of tlc she is now doing really well and looks like she has a life as a show goat :fc: she follows her mothers records.
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Thanks, kids are normal and breathing OK.
let the kids have a feed off that side again this morning then tried the udderly EZ thing, IT WORKS! (couldn't get it to work on a goat last year, I think her teats were just too big and fat).
Anyway Abi should be a bit more comfortable now, teat looks a bit sore, I wonder if the little tykes have been catching her with their teeth.
Next question please, is it worth freezing colostrum 48hrs after kidding? frozen it in ice'cube' bags for easy thawing small amounts.
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I usualy only freeze any Colostrum that I take within the first day that they kid
48 hrs after kidding our milk is back to the normal colour