Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[CrealCritter]

Got about a half-gallon each from the two girls. Kinder Lucy gave about 1/2 cup less than Nubian Cameo. Crazy what these Kinders can do! Part of it might be that she's further along in her lactation and is naturally making more milk for her big ol' babies. But, I don't care why - just glad to have some white gold!

Extra fridge in the breezeway is making a disturbing noise this morning....hope it's not about to roll-over and be dead. I would be so annoyed if I had to go buy a new fridge... Gonna cross my fingers and hope it's nothing...gonna ignore it until I can't ignore it anymore, lol.

Time to go feed the out-back goats. I feel bad that I'm running waaaaay behind - but that time change has got me an hour off.

Hope your freezer doesn't give up the ghost, that would not be good at all.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Nice! I can't wait for my kinder!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I can't wait for your kinder! I hope they do as well for you as they do for me.

Thanks CC - I hope it hangs in there - I really don't feel like dealing with that right now....

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I’ve been keeping an eye on Not Patch for a couple of days. I’ve been penning her in the red barn at night and turning her out with the rest of the goats during daylight hours. I had a “feeling” today was the day so I’ve just been checking on her frequently. Udder larger but ligs soft but still and low a couple hours ago. Came out for a check and found her in the barn with the other goats but it was apparent that she’d given birth. I start franticly searching and there are no babies in the barn everywhere. At that point I know she must’ve had them out for in the loafing area that the goats and pigs both hang out in. I’m thinking I’m not even going to find a body....but I did! Thought they were dead at first but they were both breathing. I snatched em up and brought them in the barn and tried to put them near her and this crazy goat practically ran from them. Grrrrrr! I finally got them in a pen and she wants nothing to do with them...won’t look at them, hasn’t cleaned them, doesn’t respond to their cries. I am beyond ticked off!! I got colostrum into both of them and they’re resting now. I’m going to move all of them into the trailer later where they will be more manageable if I have to bottle feed. Really hope her attitude changes when she passes the placenta....

 

[sumi]

Oh my word, FEM. What a drama and such a stupid goat! I hope she changes her attitude and decides to take care of them soon. You really do NOT need this stress and hassle now. What gender(s) are they?

 

[NH Homesteader]

And there's someone for your cull list! I hope she chills out, and the babies do well!

 

[tortoise]

I think she just put herself on your sale/freezer list? I have little patience for a mom that rejects babies.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

First - I cannot type on my phone so I went back and edited my other post, lol.

Ok - I'm kinda giving her a tiny break because she was "off" last week. I had penned her up and was treating her for ketosis because she literally stopped eating and was just spacy. After a few days of B-complex, molasses drenches and probiotics she got better so I turned her back with the herd. I'm going to let her use that as an excuse - for now.

I got her and the babies moved to the trailer. She wasn't being mean to them - just ignoring them and of course not letting them nurse. I tied her up in the trailer and I milked her again and gave the babies a good feeding of colostrum. I really wanted to get her milked because milking helps them pass the placenta. And it did - she slipped the placenta about 10 minutes later and at that point she started at least smelling the babies. After that - I became her baby, lol. I had colostrum on my hands and she started licking me and talking to me so I took my hand down close to the babies and put a touch of colostrum on their heads and their tails. At that point she's cleaning them up finally. Not overly motherly - but making all the right moves. And, as long as I'm standing there letting her lick me - she's letting the babies nurse. It's not all hearts, flowers and a happy ending yet - but I think we'll get there.

So - she gets a reprieve for now. She's the 4th FF to go and the only one that had an issue - so far...

Noir is next. Thank goodness she's an experienced mom.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Almost forgot - buck/doe twins. And for once the girl is flashier than the boy! She's black with dark gray moon spots, and he's beige with a white spot. I'll get pics tomorrow.

 

[NH Homesteader]

Yay! Hope she chills out, glad the babies are doing well. Can't wait to see pics!