How it all started.....

My two oldest daughters asked their dad if they could take meatgoats in 4-H. This is the man who told me soon after we were married that I could bring home all the animals I wanted to the farm as long as I didn't bring home any goats. He loves his dog, cattle, and horses.

Instead of directly saying "no", he told them to figure a breakeven on them, and if they did that he would support them. Let's just say he was surprised to come home and see the girl's "breakeven". They had spent the day hounding the managers at tractor supply and coop to get all their info. He is a man of his word, so two female goats came to live on the James farm.

Now these goats weren't supposed to be bred, but as it happens sometimes, one kidded out just before fair, and she was so cute I just lost my mind and we purchased another 26 does. Of course I justified my purchase as being necessary for me to be a good Kansas Agriculture Extension agent. In Kansas we were getting several questions regarding meatgoats, and I figured if I raised them myself I would become more knowledgable about the process and be of more help to others. I think my husband knew I just liked them though.

We have continued to expand, and we now own 60 does, 3 billies. I am in the process of kidding out 50 of the does now. You would think I would know better than to have them due in January, but unfortunately I didn't pay enough attention to the calendar when I placed the billies in with the does.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Thursday Morning

No babies as of 7:30 a.m. this morning. Yesterday I decided to get some more supplies ready just in case I need them. I try to have a small feeding tube and 60 cc syringe available to assist any babies that are born too weak to nurse or are born and get to cold to nurse. I have had them very lethargic and weak, tubed them with 60 cc's of their mom's milk, and had them jump back into life. It is like giving them a huge energy boost. I never tube a baby that will suck on your finger or nurse a bottle. I only tube the worse cases, and usually have pretty good success. I would caution anyone not to tube them too often as I think it irritates their esophagus if done too often. Other supplies I have ready are heat lamps, jugging pens, clean cloths, and plastic gloves in case I need to assist the doe.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)