[HelenVF]

My favourite goat, Ben died last night     Not sure what happened but we found him dead in the stable.  I am not sure if Dusty (section a) had squashed him, but never had a problem and I've been in there with them all and they are all so careful.  She seemed unsure about it as she did nuzzle him this morning when I went to check he was dead.  Really upset about it.
 
Now, practicalities.....We now only have one goat left.  Do I need to rush out and get a companion for him, or do you think he will be ok for a bit with Dusty.  They are incredibly close and he did follow her out of the stable this morning, although did look back to see where his mate was     Funds are a bit tight at the moment so could do with waiting a while, but, if absolutely necessary, I can find some.  Secondly, I'm guessing I need to contact someone about it, and do I need to pay for disposal of him, or can I just bury him?
 
Can't believe how much it's affected me 
 
Helen

[fiestyredhead331]

sorry for your loss Helen 

it can be very upsetting, we had our first loss recently too so I feel your pain:)

On the practical side, we logged the death in our holding register and as for disposal, we have an exemption due to our remote location so we buried her on the croft which was far nicer but there's a minimum depth and distance from water courses etc, I'm sure someone will be able to give you the exact requirements, if you don't have an exemption then you need to look up your local knacker etc. have posted the link below for further:

http://animalhealth.defra.gov.uk/managing-disease/animalbyproducts/fallen-stock-faq.htm

[goosepimple]

Oh Helen that's bad luck, so sorry for you, we all get so used to the same wee faces in the shed and it's very sad when one isn't there.
 
We have a fallen stock pickup, defra or your vets will tell you, it cost us £14 for a sheep, they come to you but then your isolated I think (?)
 
If you have a wee photo of him perhaps pinning it up in the shed (above nibbling height) might be nice. 

[HelenVF]

Thanks.  Will have a chat with the neighbour to see who he uses.  Shame I can't just bury him in the "graveyard" I have for my dogs

Helen

[Anke]

Oh that's sad.
 
Whereabouts are you? and what kind of goat (pygmy or dairy or angora) would you be looking for as a replacement? Just saying that loads of us are going to be kidding in the next few months and if you can bottle rear a castrated male I would probably let you have one for free (maybe cost of disbudding) if they were spare so to speak on our holding. I am kidding five nannies this year....

[HelenVF]

Oh that's sad.
 
Whereabouts are you? and what kind of goat (pygmy or dairy or angora) would you be looking for as a replacement? Just saying that loads of us are going to be kidding in the next few months and if you can bottle rear a castrated male I would probably let you have one for free (maybe cost of disbudding) if they were spare so to speak on our holding. I am kidding five nannies this year....

Wow, that would be fab, and so kind!  We are in North Lancashire.  I would want a pygmy as i think the size of them is suitable for us as they are only pets/companions for our pony.


Helen

[Anke]

Helen, I have dairy goats here, but my Golden Guernsey goatling will be kidding (to a GG male) end of April and if she has a male I will definitely not want to keep him, as she is a first kidder. GG's aren't massive and quite sweet natured.
 
Both my BT's will have quite large kids I am sure...
 
Actually if you know someone with Angoras, they are also not that big. Unfortunately they are usually left with their horns intact.

[Old Shep]

so sorry Helen.  I have PM'd you.

[Brucklay]

Sorry Helen - not nice time - hope your other week fella stays fine with Dusty till any newcomers come along 

[ballingall]

Sorry to hear Helen. I lost one of mine the first week in December, and I still miss her a lot.


I would have suggested the same thing as Anke- people often don't have an outlet for dairy kids and would love to find a good home for a castrated boy. More difficult to get a Pygmy as even castrated boys can command a higher price as pets.


Beth

[goosepimple]

The going rate for pygmies, believe it or not, is £250 for a lassy and £150 for laddy.
Wee bodies, big price. 

[ballingall]

I know it's mad isn't it. I think I breed the wrong kind of goats.


In recent years we have charged £40-£50 pounds for a castrated male to cover disbudding/ vaccination etc etc.


Beth

[jaykay]

Sorry you've lost Ben 
A wether kid would be good for him to hang around with, if you can find one.

My old English don't grow so big but I'm not kidding til April and nor will most other OE breeders, so not much use 

[Mammyshaz]

  so sad to lose Ben so suddenly. Hope you get sorted forca companion for your other boy.

[Lesley Silvester]

Sorry to hear about Ben