The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: heidih on April 30, 2013, 04:47:04 pm
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OK . i know carl has asked for advice but our willow is bleating..ALOT! she got gawjus home , food , hay , water and company .! she eats well and has loads of love and attention,? im so confused wat else cud it be!??
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I would have thought that (same as human mums) she may need "adult" company...
Also keeping occupied by having to chew the bark off branches (large ones) may calm her down a bit...
I have never kept only one adult goat (even with kid) for any length of time. When I first started out my GG nanny came first with her kid and the BT goatling arrived a couple of weeks later. Those first two weeks were NOISY, and the minute Skyee arrived in the pen next door to the GG's peace and quiet was restored.
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Looking back, Puffin was desperate for adult company from Vanna and Reggie too. I think like all animals, they need a bit of respite from mum duties at times and maybe would feel a bit vulnerable as the only adult responsible for young when they are prey animals in the wild, maybe she feels stressed?
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My young goat who didn't go to billy is a bit noisy and goes quiet when I go out aNd give her a cuddle. Usually they either want something different to eat or some affection and a chat.
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None of ours like to be away from the other adults even if they have kids with them so it could well be lack of company.
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honestly i and carl are with her so much , i feel worried now?! wat if she stressed out and the kids arent adult yet? :'( .. she gets sooo much love tho . :love: . id hate to think she was unhappy.. :goat:
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Stuck a big log in there from a willow tree that I cut down..see if that makes and difference :fc:
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You might just have to face the fact she is a noisy girl! I have a Wiltshire Horn ewe that I hand reared and you would not believe the racket she makes. If she gets a whiff of me anywhere close she screams non stop at the top of her voice. Must drive my neighbours mad when she is home for lambing
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can you get another one to keep her company? Lots of people are getting rid of billy's now - and if wethered, they make great pets and don't smell like billy's at all!
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honestly i and carl are with her so much , i feel worried now?! wat if she stressed out and the kids arent adult yet? :'( .. she gets sooo much love tho . :love: . id hate to think she was unhappy.. :goat:
Exactly - she knows if she makes enough of a racket you will come and spend time with her. She is lonely. However I would bet she will calm down if she had adult/goatling company. Sorry, goats are herd animals and need at least one of their own kind to keep them happy.
Unlike sheep goats do not have their kids with them at all times (in the wiild), they hide the kids somewhere safe and come back periodically to check on them and feed. My adults go out with the herd from the day after kidding, and then come back inside every so often to feed their kids (who happily sleep in the pens while mum is outside). From day 4 or 5 kids are on the bottle and nannies are milked.
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i know wat u are all saying and it true she loved company but another adult when we keeping thd kids too? they 7 weeks old now so soon will be big ? plus where do we "loan" a billy from?
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Was Willow with other goats before she came to you? I assume you just have Willow and her kids? I have alot of goats, so obviously my situation is different ....but the adults are always kept in pairs. Even when they have kids, they stay together. The only ones who live on their own are the intact males, because of fighting. But even they live alongside each other, and therefore have company.
It sounds like Willow has come to rely on you for company, and knows if she bleats you will be there to make a fuss of her. She sounds to be well cared for, and has food and water, so no worries there!!
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You will either have to put up with the bleating, or try another goat (castrated male will be ok), Perhaps if you could have one on trial to see how they get on with each other, and if the bleating stops, before you committed to having another goat, that would be an idea.
Goats are herd animals, and like to be with other goats. I think if I took away my goats companion and just let her with kids, I would get alot of bleating :)
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plus where do we "loan" a billy from?
An intact billy? are you thinking of mating her again later this year
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No Plums.. Heidi meant loan a companion.
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I Know you have fallen head over heels for the babbies, but you could when they are old enough sell them as a pair? They will make a lovely friendly pair for someone not wanting breeding goats and will allow you the space to keep an adult companion?
If you did this, I would get another female, then put them in kid alternate years. Milk one through whilst the other is in kid then swap them over ;)
You are devoting so much time to you goats you might just as well fill your fridge with delicious mil and cheese :thumbsup:
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No Plums.. Heidi meant loan a companion.
ahhh got you now! quite a few wethers (castrated boys) for sale around or I'd probably be inclined to do what CW says with having 2 females if you are interested in having milk for home use :)
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I Know you have fallen head over heels for the babbies, but you could when they are old enough sell them as a pair? They will make a lovely friendly pair for someone not wanting breeding goats and will allow you the space to keep an adult companion?
If you did this, I would get another female, then put them in kid alternate years. Milk one through whilst the other is in kid then swap them over ;)
You are devoting so much time to you goats you might just as well fill your fridge with delicious mil and cheese :thumbsup:
That was the plan but got boys :roflanim:
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If it was me in your situation I would probably think seriously about doing as CW suggests, Rehome the 2 boys into a pet home together but get an adult Nanny in advance so that they get used to each other before the boys leave
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If it was me in your situation I would probably think seriously about doing as CW suggests, Rehome the 2 boys into a pet home together but get an adult Nanny in advance so that they get used to each other before the boys leave
This is a good idea I think we will go this way...thanks for all the advice
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You both are so good with the goats, I know you want the best for them :bouquet: at least at this time of year you will probably find more goats for sale than at any other :fc:
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Bit of a dilemma will willow go quiet when the kids got older?? Get another nanny and sell kids?? Don't really know what to do..been searching for a local nanny without any luck at the moment :(
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Cant remember where you are Carl ?
Is there no rescues near you or even comercial dairy herds ?
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West Midlands.. Will search for goat sanctuary
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I'll ask the worcestershire goat club people if any of them are selling nannies. will let you know Carl.
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Thanks Lisa :thumbsup:
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Just found a 12 month old British saanen local to me .. Awaiting reply from a petting farm :fc: