The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Lesley Silvester on June 06, 2018, 12:25:34 am

Title: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on June 06, 2018, 12:25:34 am
My older goat was 10 in April. Early this evening I saw that my younger goat was pawing the ground, then charging at Pom, the old one. I kept an eye on them and saw that Pom was lying down and trying to get up. As soon as she had made it but before she could get her balance, Caldi butted her and kcocked her down again. I called my OH to come and help as I wanted to get her back in the shed but she managed to get up again and into the shed. Meanwhile, Caldi had her hackles up and was threatening to butt, first Pom then me.


Pom flopped back down in the shed. I've put hurdles out to separate the shed so Pom can get some peace from being butted. I stroked her and realised that she is incredibly thin. I noticed that she was thinner but she suddenly seemed to be so much thinner. I gave her some ivy, hawthorn and jostaberry twigs which she loved. Then made up some concentrates, which they only get as an occasional treat now. She quickly polished it off. She's been eating normally up til now and has ad lib hay and a daily bucket of chopped carrots, cabbage and any other veggies I have around.


What worries me is that her mum died at the same age and suddenly lost a lot of weight and had trouble standing. Is this likely to be Pom's time?I wondered if Caldi's behaviour meant that she knows Pom is close to death and is staking her claim to become top goat.


Any ideas?
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: pharnorth on June 06, 2018, 01:04:54 am
I am sorry to hear that. I once had the experience of two goats who typically got on alright when the dominant one started behaving in this way, and like you I suddenly realised how poor the weaker one was looking. So I suspect it was a fast loss of condition. It was never quite clear on the sequence of events, worms,  a shock from a fox or dog killing a chicken, or fly strike, all came at once. It was a young goat and it did pull through with a lot of care and is still doing well 5 years later. So I agree the aggressive behaviour is the effect of seeing the weakness in the other goat, not the cause.  Maybe it is Nature's way of reducing the suffering time of weak members of a herd. In my case it wasn't about claim to be top goat as the aggressor already was top goat. 
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Anke on June 06, 2018, 06:36:11 am

Yes I think you are right ... Not sure what you do in that situation if you only have two goats though…


Has the older goat lost some or all of her front teeth?
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: bj_cardiff on June 06, 2018, 06:42:21 am
I've had a few elderly goats that the younger ones did pick on the older goats as they got weaker. The older goats were usually the dominant ones and the younger ones just saw their moment to take over I think..

I've just had to PTS a 14yr old goat, she couldn't hold any weight and had trouble getting up and down.. If she looks frail I think it might be her time? Obviously, I assume she's been wormed regularly, you could ask the vet to take a look at her? 
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on June 06, 2018, 02:02:08 pm
She looks a bit better today. I gave them both concentrates again - just a small amount for Caldi but twice as much for Pom and kept them separate overnight. Pom managed to get up today and has been in the yard. Caldi is still being a bit of a bully even when I spent time sitting in the yard with them. I've had a good look and she is all bones with a bit of skin over the top. It doesn't look as bad as it is because she still has her winter coat. I gave her a brush and she has hardly any loose hair.


Anke, she has all her teeth at the front. She eats more slowly than Caldi so it's possible she has lost some back ones. There's nothing wrong with her appetite either and she is peeing normally. Not sure about poo but I assume she would be bloated rather than look skinnier.


Pharnorth and bj, I don't worm my goats on the advice of the vet because they are zero-grazed. The only time they have been on grass was for a week over Christmas when they stayed with Beeducked's goats so we could go away. The grass was very sparse, being winter. Surely having worms would have shown signs after this time. The vet was out to them a few weeks ago as Caldi had developed scald and he examined both goats. He didn't comment on her condition then but, as I said, she seems to have lost condition very quickly.She's always been the dominant goat even when I had Caldi's mum who was very aggressive with people but not with other goats.


I suppose I am particularly anxious because once she has gone, I will rehome Caldi and that is the end of my time as a goatkeeper. This is totally due to my poor health not because I want to stop.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Anke on June 06, 2018, 02:47:05 pm

If you can keep them separate and feed her well, she should be fine, as long as she can get up and isn't in pain. You could also add molasses/glucose to her water (and give her warm water rather than cold) to increase her energy intake.


Have you got a home for the younger girl sorted for when the time comes, you may have to make a decision at very short notice?
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: pharnorth on June 06, 2018, 04:12:14 pm
Oh dear MGM!  The inevitable is the inevitable I suppose but I do hope you have a bit longer with them as you clearly enjoy and love them so much. I wasn't particularly suggesting she may have worms, it was more a comment on my goat being weak and that was a cause. Having said that, even a week on sparce grass grazed previously by other may have caused an issue as it is more likely that she has low resistance to the having not been previously exposed, and possibly was already weakening.  Also, I don't know but suspect sparce grass would harbour more concentrated populations or at least be more likely to be eaten than lush grass. Anyway may be putting past your Vet whether a FEC is worth doing.

If you feed them individually it isn't a factor but my two weren't milking goats so we're fed together. With the benefit of hindsight the slower eating less dominant goat was getting a lot less and that was possibly where my problems started.

Anaemia was also a factor. Dare I say a good multivitamin tonic with iron made quite a difference over a few weeks.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: mart6 on June 06, 2018, 08:07:40 pm
Agree re could be Anaemia a contributing factor check eyelids
(https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://edenhills.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/goat-eye-collage.jpg&imgrefurl=https://edenhills.wordpress.com/2012/07/22/anemia-in-goats-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/&h=600&w=825&tbnid=8tN77efQBQdq6M:&q=signs+of+goat+anemia&tbnh=160&tbnw=220&usg=__Z5EvDkIS-mvfpyMjIQPEgEe80Wc%3D&vet=10ahUKEwjIk9m_3b_bAhWLJsAKHQkLBY8Q9QEILjAA..i&docid=AhrKB_xLQB11SM&client=firefox-b&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjIk9m_3b_bAhWLJsAKHQkLBY8Q9QEILjAA)
Could well be internal parasites i would worm/fluke treat her if anaemic
https://edenhills.wordpress.com/2012/07/22/anemia-in-goats-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/ (https://edenhills.wordpress.com/2012/07/22/anemia-in-goats-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/)
https://edenhills.wordpress.com/2011/04/15/anemic-goats/ (https://edenhills.wordpress.com/2011/04/15/anemic-goats/)
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on June 07, 2018, 12:00:53 am
I was thinking about getting an FEC done. I'll also check her eyelids and back end. Thanks for the links, mart6.


Pharnorth you are not wrong on the one goat getting less. I gave them their vegetables in two buckets this evening, one in each side of the shed. Caldi kept rushing me to get to Pom's bucket even though there was food left in hers. Twice I dragged her back to her own side after which I put a hurdle across the doorway. I wonder if cutting out concentrates was the right thing to do. I did it on the advice of experienced goat keepers but I do wonder now. I'm going to give them daily, with Pom getting more (and shutting her in with her bucket.


Anke, molasses is a good idea. I think that would help if she is anaemic as well. I have some in the cupboard left from kidding times. Yes, I have a home lined up for Caldi so she won't have to be on her own for long.


Thanks for the help, folks.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Beeducked on June 17, 2018, 09:56:35 pm
Sorry to hear Pom is so poorly. Hope she picks up quickly.


Certainly think that is is worth at least getting a FEC done if not pre-emptively worming. I know she was only on the ground for a short while and it was 6 months ago but possibly contributing even if not the primary source of illness. If she was carrying a low worm burden and is now under stress it may have allowed it to get out of control.


Happy to give you a couple of doses of eprinex multi. Licenced for goats and is a pour on but wickedly expensive for just a couple of doses and even with my 10 don't think I will finish the bottle before it expires!


Give me a bell if you want some. Will be over your way on Tuesday.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Beeducked on June 17, 2018, 09:57:33 pm
Just noticed this is 10 days ago! Hope she is getting better.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on June 17, 2018, 11:02:53 pm
Thanks, Kate. She looks a lot happier in herself but is still very thin and her coat is very dull. Might be worth worming her just in case. I've been trying to get some poo for a FEC but they never do it when I'm with them so I don't know whose any of it is. I'm around Tuesday if you are in Telford, and I'd like to take you up on the offer of eprinex. Thanks. It would be good to get a second opinion as well.

Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Beeducked on June 18, 2018, 12:07:46 am
Glad she is feeling a bit better.


Will bring a couple of doses of eprinex so you can do both of them.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on June 19, 2018, 12:33:48 am


Will bring a couple of doses of eprinex so you can do both of them.


Thanks, Kate. See you tomorrow.



You could do a pooled sample if you're confident you've got some from both of them... bag piles separately and then put them in to your vet for checking...  I think the pooling normally covers up to 10 goats so if you can get several samples you should be confident that you've got some from each of them.

As for being shaggy coated - it's that time of year with the moult.  A good bath on a nice day may loosen some of the scurfy detritus from the winter and freshen her up.  You could also look at maybe giving her some of the horse build up mashes to put a bit of extra weight on.  Really hoping she picks up for you through the next couple of weeks so you can enjoy the summer together!



Thanks SD. A pooled sample sounds like a good idea. Never having done it before, I thought it would need to be two separate lots[size=78%].[/size]


I've given her a good brushing and not a lot came out. My other goat has got rid of her winter coat and is looking quite sleek. She's having sugar beet in with her coarse mix. I could have a look at the horse build up mash to have as well.

Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Anke on June 19, 2018, 03:30:30 pm
Tbh, at her age I wouldn't introduce brand-new feeds to her, and also not bathe her if she hasn't been done in a while - the stress it can cause them is just not worth it. A good brush is probably more appreciated, some greenery, bananas or other things she gets as a treat.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on June 19, 2018, 11:44:38 pm
Goats are now dosed with wormer so I'll soon she a result, hopefully. Beeducked very kindly showed me how to prune my plum tree and the goats (also kindly) ate all the leaves and most of the branches. Pom is looking anaemic so I'm going to order some more Caprivite. I ran out and didn't re order, which was silly of me, and that should help. She's looking decidedly more cheerful than she was and, apart from being very thin, is far more like she was before the weight suddenly fell off her.


I really thought it was the end for her (which means the end of goat-keeping for me. I have been preparing myself by making plans for what I am going to do with the area and thought I was fine about it but, when I thought Pom was at the end of her life, I realised that I am not ready to give up goats. It's going to have to happen though so I'll keep on with brainwashing.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on June 20, 2018, 11:43:03 pm
Update today is that I really thought she was dying. I looked out of the window to see both goats in the yard. Pom was lying down with her head on the ground. I thought it looked strange as she usually sleeps inside the shed. When I went to prepare their feed about half an hour later, she hadn't moved so I watched for breathing. She moved her back legs slightly so I could see she was alive. I took the buckets of feed out expecting to be met at the gate with both of them but she still lay there, moving her legs occasionally. Then she tried to get up and was thrashing with all four legs. Finally managed to half stand then flopped back down. With some encouragement she stood and tottered into the shed and lay back down.


It was then that I saw her right eye, which had been the side she was lying on, was closed and swollen with some bruising and broken skin. I rang the vet's surgery but had just missed the usual vet who is 'the goat vet' who was on his half day so I was promised a call from another farm vet. By the time he rang, I had cleaned the eye up a bit. It was clearly very tender and one cut started to bleed again.


The vet suggested putting a cold compress on it. He said it sounded as if she was a bit concussed. I left her shut in her pen with her bucket of feed and she did eat most of it. Every time I checked on her the eye was showing a bit more. The cold compress certainly helped with getting the swelling down. She spent the afternoon standing with her head hanging. but perked up when I took the evening buckets of chopped veg and managed a bleat. I've opened the door so she can get out.


I can only assume that Caldi has kicked or butted her hard. She is trying to take over as herd leader and has tried to butt me a few times but I make it clear that I'm not standing for it. TBH, I don't think Pom cares about being herd leader any more and is happy to let Caldi have the job. I just wish Pom could have a bit of peace from her.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Flump74 on June 21, 2018, 06:47:20 am
Oh goodness MGM  :( poor Pom and you  :hug:

I do hope that today brings a brighter day for you x
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Anke on June 21, 2018, 01:20:06 pm
I have had to graze the old (disposed) herd queen separately when this happened here a few years ago, she went out with the youngstock and the milkers were in the next field along. That worked well, but she would continue to fight with the milkers (all of them) whenever they were together… She was the oldest and a GG, the next one in line was a big BT type AOV milker...
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on June 21, 2018, 05:17:44 pm
Today she was lying flat in the shed and hard kicked all the hay up where she'd been trying to get up so I called the vet. Managed to get her to her feet and she then ate some coarse mix and sugar beet and then some vegetables and looked a bit better. When the vet arrived ( and it was the goat vet) he confirmed what I suspected, that she is being bullied and, because she's in poor condition, she can't stand up for herself. He's given her an antibiotic and a pain killer in case the eye is still painful. He's not worried about it though. He suggested I double the concentrates I am given her and that I add a small quantity of corn oil to give her more protein. She's shut in her pen atm but tomorrow when my goatkeeper/gardener comes, we can get the yard divided as well so she can come and go.


He said to keep them separate for a month and that, if she seems to be stronger, they can go in together again. He doesn't want to see her again unless she is still in poor condition by autumn. I'm feeling very relieved and more positive about her. I know I am going to lose her at some time but it looks like I'll have a bit longer as a goat keeper.  :relief:
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Anke on June 21, 2018, 05:27:06 pm
Fingers crossed she gets better - but you will probably find that the division of the yard has to be permanent, the younger goat will not give up so quickly...
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on June 21, 2018, 11:05:27 pm
Anke, the vet's thinking is that once she's stronger she can stand up for herself. At the moment she is too weak. I'll see what I think once the months up but if it's necessary the hurdles can stay up.


SD, thanks for the link. I'll see if my food supplier has any in. You weren't the only one dreading the next installment. We are going to be away from Saturday for a week and I was dreading leaving a poorly goat behind. Now I've had the vet out, I feel more reassured that the people who are goat-sitting will not have any problems. (apart from the struggle to get through a sheep hurdle/gate).


Just goes to show that even though I thought I was ready to give up goats, I'm not that ready.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Penninehillbilly on June 23, 2018, 12:40:53 am
Just caught up with this Mgm, sorry to hear you are having such problems, but good to hear things are looking positive.
Have you tried her  with chopped alfalfa? Easy to eat and apparently very good for them, mine love a handful or so, they'll eat that when they wont eat hay.


BTW, I don't think 10 is old, my oldest is 10, she's kidded this year, I'd decided it would be her last year, she fooled me with triplets. I am giving tnem extra milk from the others, but the mum is doing OK.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on July 10, 2018, 10:16:58 pm
PHB, I've only just seen this. I was giving them apple chaff until they both decided they didn't like it. Is alfalfa different? I'll get some if it's likely to help. I know 10 isn't old but it's the age I lost my first goat, Pom's mum and she went very thin first.


She looks happier although she still in incredibly thin. She's been a bit off her food while it's been so hot but still eating a good bucket of fruit and veg from my friendly local shopkeeper and most of her concentrates. I'm also adding molasses to try to give her some more energy and yesterday I saw the two of them play fighting through the hurdles, which cheered me up.Her eye is almost back to normal although still looks a bit puffy. It'll probably look better once she has hair round it again.


My only worry with her now is that she is getting bald patches on her body although still has most of her winter coat. The patches are covered in what looks to me like cradle cap for anyone who has had babies. It scrapes off very easily. I was looking at it today and the hair comes out with very little pulling so it seems to be off at the roots. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: fsmnutter on July 11, 2018, 07:53:24 am
I've had similar in two of my BS nannies (mother and daughter, submissive low in pecking order goats that tend to stay thin too) when they've moulted, but it doesn't seem to happen if I give them cosecure boluses, it could be a mineral deficiency.
I've also seen similar in "wool slip" in sheep following a stressful event such as an infection. Given what she's been through, that is likely what is going on, though mineral supplementation is unlikely to hurt either.
Hope that helps and she keeps improving
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Penninehillbilly on July 11, 2018, 01:04:19 pm
PHB, I've only just seen this. I was giving them apple chaff until they both decided they didn't like it. Is alfalfa different? I'll get some if it's likely to help.

She looks happier although she still in incredibly thin. She's been a bit off her food while it's been so hot but still eating a good bucket of fruit and veg from my friendly local shopkeeper and most of her concentrates. I'm also adding molasses to try to give her some more energy and yesterday I saw the two of them play fighting through the hurdles, which cheered me up.Her eye is almost back to normal although still looks a bit puffy. It'll probably look better once she has hair round it again.


My only worry with her now is that she is getting bald patches on her body although still has most of her winter coat. The patches are covered in what looks to me like cradle cap for anyone who has had babies. It scrapes off very easily. I was looking at it today and the hair comes out with very little pulling so it seems to be off at the roots. Any ideas?


Hi MGM, It would be easier for you to Google 'chopped alfalfa than me try to explain ?
Good to hear she's feeling better,
She has been quite ill, so not surprised it's affecting her coat, I'd second minerals apart from maybe a wash with a suitable shampoo I can't think what else to suggest.
Maybe watch out for sunburn as well? Esp. The bald/thin areas will be susceptible?
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on July 11, 2018, 04:28:27 pm
Thanks, everyone, you've reassured me. I did wonder if it was stress related and that seems more likely. A friend came and looked at her today. She (the friend) used to keep goats but many years ago. Her opinion was that after all Pom had been through lately, it seemed likely to be stress-related. She was puzzled by the 'cradle cap' but we can't find any mites on her and, being white, they should show up. She's going to hate me but I'm going to get some dandruff shampoo for her and some alfalfa, and also reorder some Caprivite. They ran out a few weeks ago and I haven't got round to ordering any more.


I'll let you know how it all goes.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: landroverroy on July 11, 2018, 09:05:13 pm
AS I recall you have wormed her with pour on wormer, so that would have got rid of any mites. However, it is possible she had some which have been killed off and the bare patches are where the mites had damaged the hair follicles. In some animals you find that pour on wormer causes dandruff, and that could be the "cradle cap" that you are now seeing.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on July 11, 2018, 10:00:36 pm
AS I recall you have wormed her with pour on wormer, so that would have got rid of any mites. However, it is possible she had some which have been killed off and the bare patches are where the mites had damaged the hair follicles. In some animals you find that pour on wormer causes dandruff, and that could be the "cradle cap" that you are now seeing.


That makes sense. I did wonder if it was dandruff but it's very greasy. It doesn't seem to bother her.


For good measure. she's now started limping. She had her hooves trimmed today after quite a long gap, mainly due to not wanting to make her stand on three legs when she was pretty run down. He knee is warm to the touch. It's possible that it was wrenched a bit during the trimming, I suppose. I'll keep an eye on it. She had a spell of limping a few months back and the other one had scald so I called the vet out and he gave me terramycin and a big bill. He did say that if she continued to limp that he could let me have some painkillers but they were very expensive although 1 bottle would last a very long time. I'll try putting a compress on it tomorrow.


I've got to the stage where I'm wondering what next (while sorting out the bill for the other week).
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on August 20, 2018, 10:53:47 pm
At last I can feel signs of increased weight in that Pom's spine is not so knobbly. I've increased her feed until she is almost at a level that she was on when she was producing milk. She won't east more than that but it's working. I was beginning to think I would be calling the vet as he said he wanted to see her again if she hadn't gained weight by autumn.


She still has the bald patches which look worse because she never did lose her winter coat. I guess she needed it for warmth with so little flesh. I'm going to bathe her with dandruff shampoo again when we have a warm day. I thought it would be very difficult but I think she enjoyed it - even being hosed down to rinse her.


Thanks for all the support. So glad I'm on TAS and have all you lovely goat-keeping TASers.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on August 21, 2018, 10:32:50 pm
Thanks, SD. I'd drink to that if there was anything left.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: mart6 on August 22, 2018, 02:14:25 pm
Great news all that care and attention ended well
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on September 26, 2018, 02:40:48 pm
Took the goat food down this morning and my beautiful girl had died in the night. I’m not that surprised because, although she was only ten, she looked very old. She had put on some weight (not enough) and was eating well, but she had a bit of a wheeze for a couple of days, it seemed to have got better then started again last night. I had decided if it was no better this morning, I would call the vet out again but it seems she had decided enough was enough.


Caldi is going to a new home as soon as I can arrange it, and I won’t be a goat keeper any more. I’ve loved the past fifteen or so years of having goats but I just can’t manage them any more.


RIP Pom.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: pharnorth on September 26, 2018, 02:56:11 pm
So sorry to hear it.  But you will forever be The Mad Goatwoman of Madeley.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Rupert the bear on September 26, 2018, 06:49:44 pm
Thats sad, but take heart that you did the best for Pom, :hug:
Still the Mad Goatwoman of Madeley and will always be
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Anke on September 26, 2018, 09:32:05 pm

Oh, I am sorry to read this. 10 years is a good age for a goat! You have done all you could and from what you say she didn't suffer very long. Probably pneumonia, now that the nights are cooler again.


If you ever come up this far north, you are welcome to come for a session with my girls! I can't even imagine that at some point I will have to give up my girls (and boys!).
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on September 26, 2018, 11:09:13 pm
Thanks, everyone. I don't think it's sunk in yet but it will.  I had actually knocked a year off her life. She was 11 last April. She was the first goat kid I had had and her mum was the very first goat so she was rather special. Her mum, the vet thought, of tumours in her lungs so I wonder if Pom had the same problem.  Going to miss her muchly.


I'm glad I can still be the Mad Goatwoman. I didn't fancy being the Mad Woman of Madeley.  ;D
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Dogwalker on September 27, 2018, 07:25:23 am
 :hug:
Sorry to hear your news.   Be kind to yourself, it's a big change to get used to.
You can always come here for a goat fix if you need it.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Beeducked on September 27, 2018, 07:22:18 pm
You will be able to visit Caldi whenever you like. So sorry about Pom, I know how much she meant to you.


See you at the weekend.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Penninehillbilly on September 27, 2018, 08:50:41 pm
So sorry MGM, sometimes things are meant to be.
Now take care of your own health.
RIP Pom
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on September 27, 2018, 11:15:45 pm
A very nice many came to collect Pom this morning. I showed him where she was and left him to it. He clearly realised I was very upset.


I'm now dreading Saturday, when Caldi goes to live with Beeducked's goats and there'll just be an empty shed. Thank you, Anke and Debbie. I may just take you up on it.


It's good to be able to come on here and talk to people who really understand.  :hug:
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on September 28, 2018, 02:53:12 pm
Thanks, SD. I started making plans months back when I accepted that my body wasn't going to let me look after them any more. I have spoken to a friend who does a lot of work for us and he is going to remove the shed completely and the area will be made into more raised beds so I can continue to grow vegetables but on a bigger scale. After tomorrow I will get in touch with him and arrange for him to come as soon as possible. We are going away next Friday to France to meet our newest grandchildren are are nearly two months old and I think that will do me good as well.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Penninehillbilly on September 28, 2018, 03:26:03 pm
What a brilliant idea MGM, hopefully you will come back from your visit to a completely different view. And will keep you busy, sounds like it will be a great veg area, raised beds make life so much easier ?.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: pharnorth on September 28, 2018, 08:26:48 pm
Enjoy your family time and your long and happy memories of time spent with your goats. To be continued under 'growing'.........
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Backinwellies on September 29, 2018, 05:39:45 pm
Nantygroes and  Milly Molly Mandy ... And Milly's kid Eira  will always welcome you MGM   HUGS!
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on September 30, 2018, 01:03:37 am
Caldi is now in her new home. She gave me a long look as I left and I nearly went and got her but I know it's best for her and, in the long run, best for me. I just need my heart to synchronize with my [size=78%] head.[/size]

I'll get there.


Today hasn't be helped by being told yesterday that my elderly mother was in hospital with a possible aortic bleed, which could prove fatal. Fortunately, a CT showed no sign of a bleed and she's be sent home. Staying with my brother over the weekend as she still doesn't feel well. I have spoken to her on the phone and told her about the goats. She was quite good about it because she's been telling me to get rid of them for ages.


Thank you so much everyone for all your support. It really has meant a lot and helped me get through.  :bouquet: :hug:
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Beeducked on October 08, 2018, 10:15:14 pm
Well Caldi is settling in very well. She has already sussed out that anyone hedging is the place to be and is always one of the first into the field. Jac (the lad) is very interested in her!
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on October 09, 2018, 03:12:31 pm
Thanks, Kate. I have been wondering how she is. With Caldi, though, home is definitely where the food is. I'm glad she's settled though.


With all the baby cuddling, feeding and changing, and with a three year old's questions to answer, I've been too busy to miss the goats. It'll be when we get home on Friday that it'll hit me, I expect.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on October 16, 2018, 12:44:47 am
And I was right. I didn't manage to arrange for the shed to be taken down so it's still there but cleaned out. I keep looking out the window and expected to see a head appear in the doorway. The fence round the yard is due to come down tomorrow so it will soon start looking more like a garden.
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Dogwalker on October 16, 2018, 06:12:27 am
 :hug:
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Beeducked on October 23, 2018, 08:19:21 pm
Well anytime you want to visit, she will be here.


Have you decided what you are going to do with the area? Be a lovely area for a bench etc or even a coop and a few hens!  ;) ;D
Title: Re: Poorly goat
Post by: Lesley Silvester on October 23, 2018, 10:55:54 pm
I will visit but not for a bit in case she thinks I've come to take her home.


The shed was taken down today. I'm having a narrow low raised bed along the fence that I can grow flowers up and a couple of raised beds for growing whatever I feel like growing next year (probably scented flowers). I have an Adam and Ever seat that just needs assembling that will sit in that area. Bought it two years ago. I did mention hens and  him indoors said absolutely no more livestock.  :'( [size=78%]I'd love to have hens again but he was put off after we lost the lot to a fox. It really upset him and he just didn't want to face it again. He used to look after them and loved to go and just listen to them.[/size]