The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: plumseverywhere on January 11, 2012, 08:31:05 am

Title: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: plumseverywhere on January 11, 2012, 08:31:05 am
Ok, this is going to sound daft (like many of my questions!) but savannah, my 2 year old maiden milker is acting a bit strange.
Its fairly non-descript but I just feel something isn't 'right'.  She is eating, drinking, has access to her lick, she has mineral supplements added to her feed, has been wormed within the past month, droppings are normal, temp normal but she's lying down more often, seems less interested in her little herd and their movements and her tail is droopier.
told you it sounds daft!! she has recently dried off from milking and her milk did start to taste like grass at the end (we did change hay supplier and it coincided with that ) not sure if its connected. there is nothing to suggest mastitis - did the washing up test and it was fine, udder pale pink, soft and not hot or bumpy.
 ???
do goats just have off day's like we do? its been 2 days now. And I am paranoid... 
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: Anke on January 11, 2012, 08:59:16 pm
Not sure, I would watch her. I think they do have "off-days", I would tempt her with some special treats, bananas are always a hit. Also she may just sulk if you recently reduced her feed intake as she was dried off?

Keep an eye on it, but I couldn't answer any more specific....

She is not been to the billy has she?
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: plumseverywhere on January 11, 2012, 09:02:11 pm
Hi Anke

thanks for your reply. No not been to billy. But...we have a new goat dont' we, puffin. I wonder if she's sulking a bit about that?  Its been a few weeks or so since Puffin arrived and I've made sure that any fuss directed at Puffin has been equalled towards reg and vanna too and have told the children to do the same. Her feed has been reduced too so perhaps a double whammy of sulking?
she is eating banana skins, some willow twigs, rich tea biscuit treats and today I did catch a glimpse of her giving reggie a butt up the bum (playfully) so I think she's feeling a bit better but last night I admit to going up there in my pj's and wellies with a torch to check on her!
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: jaykay on January 11, 2012, 09:13:34 pm
Awww, sounds like she was fed-up  :-* I'm glad to hear she's eating treats and being a bit of a pain with Reggie  :D
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: Brucklay on January 11, 2012, 09:21:41 pm
I would be just like you Plums - I watch in the morning and evening for any unusual activity - either munching, butting, fusing etc and I guess there's always a reason and it's for us to work it out - at the end of the day if Savannah is eating fine and taking treats then I think it'll be a bit of a huff - keep an eye and I'm sure all will be well xx
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: plumseverywhere on January 11, 2012, 09:41:33 pm
Another thought I had was that Puffin arrived smelling of billy at the time that savannah was in season, that might have given her the hump too!
Thanks for all your reassurance - I know I can come here and say when I'm worried and I am more paranoid than I should be because of having the 2 die as they did when we got them. All it takes now is for a goat to sneeze and I have the books out and am worried  ::)
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: Anke on January 11, 2012, 10:05:58 pm
All it takes now is for a goat to sneeze and I have the books out and am worried  ::)

Yes my goat books often don't live on the bookshelf.... If someone on here posts something I get the books out and check...

my GG girl often only gets up in the morning when I go into the pen and tell her "in person" to get on that milking stand.... now .....and she definitely knows how to be in a "huff"! But she will always come for a piece of banana (but not the skin!)

Hope your girl perks up a bit - maybe Reggie was making eyes for the new one????
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: Lesley Silvester on January 12, 2012, 12:40:37 am
We all have off days.  Maybe this was hers.  If she was really poorly she wouldn't want treats.  Hope she's back to normal soon.
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: plumseverywhere on January 12, 2012, 09:53:35 am
Savannah is currently running about the paddock with Reggie giving him head butts and skipping in the air.  Really pleased to see her feeling better and wishing I could lose the ability to worry lol!!
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: Cinderhills on January 12, 2012, 09:56:05 am
Am so pleased for you!  They really are a worry sometimes.  :)
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: salopman on January 12, 2012, 10:26:14 am
Lisa
Daft idea, but wonder if she can tell that Puffins preggers?? and a bit of jealousy crept in?? They are more intelligent than we think arnt they?

Have you any inclination to put her in kid this season??
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: Old Shep on January 12, 2012, 11:59:25 am
presume you've checked her feet? Mine don't always seem to limp when they have scald - just look proper fed up and a bit poorly.
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: plumseverywhere on January 12, 2012, 12:36:33 pm
You could be onto something salopman! maybe she's broody. I don't want to get her in kid this time round as last year she was a maiden milker which was quite a blessing and if she does that every year, I get the milk but don't have to have the worry of finding homes etc for kids. I have also found myself in a situation where an entire ram lamb was left in with the ewe lambs we were letting graze here so we have unplanned sheep pregnancies (quite possibly) so I may be lambing as I'm keeping 2 of them while the sheep group take the other few to slaughter.

I did check her feet a week or so ago Shep, but its a good thought - I will do that again.

the 3 of them are running together today and playing so all seems happier!
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: Blinkers on January 12, 2012, 01:16:33 pm
Awww....brilliant news that all seems OK.   They are such a worry aren't they  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: little blue on January 12, 2012, 08:52:51 pm
just Savannah having a mardy day ... we all do!  ;)
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: jaykay on January 12, 2012, 09:08:02 pm
Quote
mardy
It's ages since I've heard that, that's what we used to say at school (N.E. Lincolnshire) - so where're you from 'Blue?
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: little blue on January 13, 2012, 08:32:39 pm
Derbyshire born and bred .... with Lincolnshire great- and grandparents!
definitely a word used round here still :) 
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: jaykay on January 13, 2012, 09:07:56 pm
 ;D I've moved further north so don't hear it anymore. It made me smile  :)
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: little blue on January 13, 2012, 09:25:47 pm
I'll try and use it more often in my replies!
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: plumseverywhere on January 14, 2012, 08:05:51 am
 ;D  hubby uses the term 'mardy' a lot here! He's Worcester born though. I have to say he directs it at out 'tweenager' mostly  ;)
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: Cinderhills on January 14, 2012, 10:02:37 am
My OH is from Leeds and calls me "food mardy" if I get too hungry and in a mood!! ;D
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: plumseverywhere on January 14, 2012, 10:06:35 am
food mardy really exists though doesn't it? and water mardy.  my children have taught me about those 2 conditions.  and today I have a mardy wether - he's in disgrace for diving under the electric tape (he times the clicks that only he can hear  ::)  )
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: little blue on January 14, 2012, 06:23:04 pm
I :love: Reggie, he's such a character!
  perhaps if he had a little radio or a tv, it would drown out the clicks?!  ;)
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: jaykay on January 14, 2012, 06:35:36 pm
Oh, food mardy most certainly exists. My ex used to say he would look at me and try to decide if I needed pushing off a bridge, or just feeding!

Since we're using the word, Ellie, my milking goat is being seriously mardy today. She bashed me when I went to speak to her as i came in from shopping (I had my bright, clean- smelling coat on which she really doesn't like  ::)) and she keeps bashing Rowan (her goatling). Grumpy guts  :P
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: little blue on January 14, 2012, 07:35:20 pm
whereas my goat has had me going today .... I was convinced she was kidding, no such luck!!
Just having me on!
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: katie on January 14, 2012, 07:41:33 pm
We use mardy too - I'm a Warwickshire girl originally. Southern husband had never heard of it but now uses it often - such a useful word!

Do other people use donnies for hands?
Title: Re: 'fed up' goat?
Post by: Lesley Silvester on January 14, 2012, 09:46:36 pm
Plums, glad to hear Savannah is better.  Perhaps it was PMT.   ;)

I've heard the term mardy.  In Scotland it was crabbit.  I used to leave pictures of crabs on OH's pillow when he got too bad.