Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[NH Homesteader]

Well she couldn't be in better hands! I wish she was doing better but you got this! How's the buckling?

 

[frustratedearthmother]

The buckling is just puny, lol. He's eating good and moving around, but he's just itty, bitty and all of his feet seem to go in a different direction. I'm not sure these babies aren't a couple days early. Could barely feel his little teeth starting to break through his gums... The doeling however, is stunning! Love her!

Buckling:

Doeling:

 

[sumi]

I hope the buckling and mom will feel better soon! Gosh, they are all beautiful animals.

 

[NH Homesteader]

I've got room for that feeling in my barn, feel free to send her up. Lol! She is gorgeous, just like her mama! I'm kind of jealous of your spots!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

feel free to send her up

Isn't she gorgeous? It was starting to get dark when I took that pic so not sure all of her darker type moonspots show up very well. But, she is really nice. Conformation is nice too. The little guy? Ehhh, not so much, lol. Makes it easier to eat them, right?

I'm loving the spots. I know that color isn't supposed to be the defining factor - but I love them. Why not have eye-candy? I've always had it in the back of my mind to have a herd of moon-spotted kiko crosses. DH asked me last night if I was planning on getting a kiko doe. When I told him I didn't think so - he's like WHY NOT? I don't want to spend the money....but...it would get me further down the road toward higher percentage Kiko's a lot faster. I dunno… I've always enjoyed trying to create my own goat instead of just buying them.

And, along those lines... most of the Nubians have got to go. It's going to take a while, but my goal is to have them moved on before next winter. It's Red's line that is so susceptible. I have another line of Nubians that originated from a different doe that seem to have more resistance. Dusty's resistance is pretty good too - his feet are not though. Always something, huh?

Cameo's spotted buckling that I love so much has a fault that I'm still deciding on. He has a tiny bit of a split scrotum. I don't like it - but I think I've got to get my head wrapped around "meat" goats and not show goats. I guess I'll make my decision after all the kids are here.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Pretty kids sell better! There's a reason to enjoy spots! There is a pretty spotted nubian for sale near me right now.... yeah a yearling for $550 and her conformation is meh, ok... someone's definitely charging for spots lol.

Can you breed any of these babies this year? I'm dying to see how they turn out! I always wait for year 2 but I'm over careful.

 

[sumi]

I'm loving the spots. I know that color isn't supposed to be the defining factor - but I love them. Why not have eye-candy? I've always had it in the back of my mind to have a herd of moon-spotted kiko crosses. DH asked me last night if I was planning on getting a kiko doe. When I told him I didn't think so - he's like WHY NOT? I don't want to spend the money....but...it would get me further down the road toward higher percentage Kiko's a lot faster. I dunno… I've always enjoyed trying to create my own goat instead of just buying them.

Do it

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Can you breed any of these babies this year?

Likely! If they have good growth I have no problems breeding them by 9 months or so. I know some people breed as early as 7 months. I think that's pushing it...

My doe is not doing well and by this evening I may have bottle babies. In fact, I'm bottle feeding them right now because I took the doe to the clinic this morning. Her temp was up this morning and she was shivering and it just wasn't looking good. He's running some antibiotics into her and if she doesn't turn around by this evening she will be euthanized. Hoping the antibiotics kick in - but she will likely not breed again if he's correct in thinking she has a uterine tear and infection.

I have two more deliveries coming up and then should get a break for awhile. Not a happy goat farmer this morning...

 

[NH Homesteader]

Poor girl, and poor babies, and poor farmer! How are the babies doing? Hope mom does ok

 

[Lazy Gardener]