Rebecca's journal-may be time to restart this

[Wannabefree]

Congrats on the find! I would be a bit leary though. That's a GOOD price for a Nubian with papers AND her buckling. Check udders, and make sure of the age, as is you're buying one close to retirement age and they can live well past breeding age and just be a feed vacuum.

 

[rebecca100]

I asked specifically about her age on the phone because like you said it is a really good price on a registered Nubian in milk especially. She just e mailed me back. She said according to her papers she is 3 years old. She said that they are moving is the reason she is getting rid of her. She hasn't had her long. She said she bought her bred and the baby is only a couple weeks old. That is a good idea to check udders, I hadn't thought of that. Need to check for any signs of CL lumps too I guess.

 

[Wannabefree]

I asked specifically about her age on the phone because like you said it is a really good price on a registered Nubian in milk especially. She just e mailed me back. She said according to her papers she is 3 years old. She said that they are moving is the reason she is getting rid of her. She hasn't had her long. She said she bought her bred and the baby is only a couple weeks old. That is a good idea to check udders, I hadn't thought of that. Need to check for any signs of CL lumps too I guess.

Wow, yeah sounds like a good deal then so long as udders are decent, and they both look healthy. Nice find!

 

[Farmfresh]

My sis had a gelding with whacky legs and knees that sounded like that for a while. He was a walk trot horse that she used for lessons. She had a vet check him out complete with x rays (to make sure that he was sound to do his job). The vet told my sister that her horse was probably suffering from prenatal rickets. A condition that occurs when a pregnant mare is extremely mal-nourished. Probably that was the problem with the gelding that you saw. Good genetics - poor nutrition.

 

[rebecca100]

That poor horse really freaked me out. It's legs were really bad crooked. There was no way it could ever have been ridden. It could walk, but I don't think it would be able to trot at all.
It was REALLY HOT today. On the way to get the goat the thermometer in the truck read 108. A sign read 107. Our house thermometer read 105. I was worried about the long ride for the doe and her baby in the back of the truck. We covered the cage with a tarp and left the sides open so that the air could circulate. When we got there the first thing I saw was a chicken tractor in her yard! Good sign! The doe was beautiful and looks for the world like Momma goat that died last winter giving birth. So of course all that worry about this one birthing next year came. Now I am kinda having second thoughts. It would break my heart if that ever happened again, and this one is almost her twin. But at least right now she is healthy and giving milk. I aged her by her teeth at close to four since she had all adult teeth without much wear. She has an excellent udder and a beautiful healthy spotted baby. I invited the woman to join us at this forum since she seemed to be interested in the same stuff we are. Dh was going to buy the other two younger ones that she thought were doelings. I had the money in my hand to give her when I noticed one of the doelings had a "bump" on it belly. Then I realized that the other did too. They were both whethers! I was glad I noticed that before I paid for them. In her defense she bought the place with them already there and she wasn't very familiar with them and thought they were both doelings. It was too bad because they were pretty alpine Nubian crosses. After we got home I got a call from the delivery guy and the sheep shears are going to be delivered tomorrow! We sheared the sheep ourselves with hand shears, but it didn't turn out real well. Since we had the money this month I ordered electric shears. I paid like $80 for them plus shipping. I ordered the cheapest ones I could find off eBay that still had a warranty and from a seller with 5 stars. Hopefully they will be good, but since I've never ordered off eBay before I am a little worried.
So in a couple of days maybe we can clean up the haggle job we did this spring and bring them a little more relief from this heat.

 

[rebecca100]

I forgot to mention that my sunflowers are blooming!!! They are attracting the first bees Ive seen all year. I saw a couple honeybees and some other kind of bee going from flower to flower. I will definitely grow some more next year. I only planted about 20 this year. Next year I will plant way more. They are so pretty-and useful!

 

[FarmerDenise]

 

[dragonlaurel]

Congrats on the doe! I'd love to see pics- hint .

 

[rebecca100]

As soon as I can figure out how from my phone I'll post pics of her and the baby. Right now the real Internet has been not wanting to stay connected.

 

[freemotion]

Now I am kinda having second thoughts. It would break my heart if that ever happened again, and this one is almost her twin. But at least right now she is healthy and giving milk.

I hear ya. I've had more than my share of difficult deliveries with my goats.....however, after losing the very first one (Mya's first buckling with us, born in Feb two months after we rescued her and her health was still rather down) to pneumonia after a difficult delivery, I've been on pins and needles ever since for each and every delivery. Then Plum was stuck in Mya the following year and I came very close to losing them both. Couldn't get a vet to come help. The forum helped me and saved them. Then this year.....two more difficult deliveries....I knew what to do with Mya but needed help with Peach. You'd better believe I'll be getting a baby monitor by next spring!

My point is, you will learn as you go and loss is part of owning livestock. You will have fewer losses as you gain more experience and skill, but always remember that even experienced people and VETS have losses. So move forward with life (as you are) and have a glass of wine (if you imbibe) and come here for a hug!