[ScotsGirl]

I have just acquired some new girlies all in kid and about 3 years old.  They are used to being housed most of the time with just field access occasionally.

My 4 youngsters have the run of a paddock and field shelter which they usually tuck themselves up in at bedtime.  However since the new girls arrived I noticed the other night (and it was very frosty) that they were all lying out in the field together.  I think they may spend some nights under the pig tin.  SHould I be worried if they are not using the shelter or will they go in there if wet and cold enough?

The second question is my boys are booked in to the abattoir for Thursday but one has been lame with I think scald.  Trimmed, washed and sprayed today but should I keep him back until sound or will it not matter?

[Anke]

If the youngsters are seemingly being pushed out of their shelter I would worry, especially if they are used to sleeping under cover. Is there a way where you can divide the shelter and once the older girls are in, shut them in their half and them shoo the youngsters in too?
If the one for slaughter has only scald, keep spraying it and he should be fine in a few days.

[ScotsGirl]

The youngsters don't seem to be pushed out, I think they are just keeping with the herd and as the older does are either not happy going in the shelter or prefer to be out then they are staying with them.  The new ones have shown the little ones how to jump the hurdles so not sure how easy it will be to shut them in.

It is raining lightly now and I can see a head poking out of the tin shelter.  Hopefully next week I can get the other shelter up.

[plumseverywhere]

I've got one goat in particular, Reggie, who will stand out in the snow (tongue out eating it). I was really worried the first winter but he's continued doing it. Heavy rain sees all 4 scuttle into their shelters but my Toggs seem to love the cold.

[sokel]

We must have serious wimps for goats
If its cold they won't stay out.if its wet they won't go out and if its snowing you can't even chase them out!
As for being out at night you don't stand a chance lol
3.30 even on warm sunner days and they scream the place down to be in even though they have shelter in the field

[Lesley Silvester]

Mine don't like going out in the rain but when it's warm they'll often be outside in the middle of the night.

[ScotsGirl]

It has been really frosty here and all mine have moved into the open ended tin shelter. After breakfast though I found them in the field shelter. They also seem quite happy out when drizzling.


Guess I must have some big butch goats! I believe the Boer crosses can be more resilient. Oh well as long as they are happy.


By the way, does anyone else find it hard to take to slaughter? I don't have such a problem with the sheep but I am quite attached to my goats and not looking forward to Thursday

[Lesley Silvester]

My boer cross also doesn't seem so bothered about getting wet.  could be that she's greedy and when there's food around, she's oblivious to the weather.   

As far as not liuking taking them for slaughter, why do you think Curry is still here at 19 months old?  I will do it.  Eventually.   

[sokel]

Tbh I am dreading doing it next year. I have done pigs and another pig going today. I have built up to the lambs going. But the goats are so hands on and a big part of my life.

[kja]

i find talking the meat goats through easier than sending off some of the pigs (the ones that dont make the show ring but have been worked on in preperation) i get more attached to the pigs but having said that any destined for meat day dot makes it easier i dont think its a journey anyone enjoys but its all part of the circle.

years ago alot of these meat billys would have been destroyed soon after birth so you are giving them some life and a purpose so that has to be good.

[Lesley Silvester]

Just realised that Curry is only 17 months so he can have another couple.      

TBH one thing that is putting me off is the thought of driving at 6am to the abbatoir when I can't move very easily until an hour and a half after taking my meds at 7am.  Especially when the roads could be icy.

[Anke]

Just realised that Curry is only 17 months so he can have another couple.      

TBH one thing that is putting me off is the thought of driving at 6am to the abbatoir when I can't move very easily until an hour and a half after taking my meds at 7am.  Especially when the roads could be icy.

Speak to the abattoir, ours always wanted the goat kids later in the day as they were done after the sheep. But it is probably too late to do until the new year now.... but he will be eating quite a bit of hay and NOT putting on any more weight at his age....

[kja]

some slaughterhouses also offer to take them in the afternoon prior to slaughter date.

as anke says he will just be costing money for no extra meat once he is booked in you will have a date to work towards.

[Dogwalker]

Which abbatoir do you use?  Maybe one of us can help out.

[sokel]

Our regular one for the pigs slaughter monday mornings and always let us drop off on a sunday afternoon
Our local one that now only does sheep always takes in on an afternoon any day