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Tuesday, December 10, 2013
The Goat Stork Came Too Early
One Stripe had her babies last night (December 9th), one week too early. She had triplets that were all born alive. Each one lived about 10 minutes and did not have the strength to nurse. Other conditions appeared normal. They all died.
I have not had time to research about a possible cause. Weather was not a factor. We have not had this happen before, so I don't even have any theories yet. I will be very interested in hearing from other folks that may have had this experience.
So, with a heavy heart, this post is short. We will fill in the details later.
Thank you. I am sure you have lost lambs and kids before too. It's never easy, but part of being a shepherd. I'll let you know our theories before long.
Oh my gosh....My heart goes out to you. These are the events that are the hard part of livestock but it does happen as any livestock owner knows and deals with. God Bless you and know we are thinking of you.
One Stripe is okay, but she is crying for her babies. It is pretty sad. She should be better in a few days. I started milking her last night and will continue to do so twice a day. She is used to the routine, so I hope that helps her out some.
One more thing...do you save the colostrum? It is so good to have on hand. From my cow experience I used to milk one quarter from each of the gentler cows when they calved. I froze it in Ziplock bags, that after they were frozen flat, I wrapped in freezer paper. It kept well from one season to the next.
I am so, so sorry! It's heartbreaking to lose kids, and the mamas do mourn. It's often hard to figure out the why of it too. Praying you have success with that.
It is hard the first time and doesn't get easier with time. As a goat owner of many years, has your doe had triplets before? If not, this could be the reason. Her body was unable to handle three so aborted early. Sometimes, there is no real explanation.
It is the first time we have had one deliver early, but not the first kids we have lost. And you're right, it doesn't get easier with time. She has had triplets before, all were healthy and she had no problem raising all three. She is a great doe, good attitude, good mother, good milk producer and this incident doesn't appear to have affected her health at all. She is doing well and has lots of milk. We know we may or may not ever figure out why this happened, but will research all we can to see if we can prevent it happening with our other three does that are due in the spring.
Thank you very much for your comment. I appreciate all of the ideas I can get.
Oh, I'm so sorry. I've had it happen in the past too. One possible cause is a head-butt to the doe's side from another goat. One year we had an outbreak of chlamydia and all but one of the does delivered premature or stillborn kids. That was a really tough year. You may never know the cause. I am praying that the rest of your herd delivers healthy kids.
I am very sorry to hear!
ReplyDeleteWhite muscle disease?
It is hard to say. :(
Thank you. I am sure you have lost lambs and kids before too. It's never easy, but part of being a shepherd. I'll let you know our theories before long.
DeleteFern
Oh my gosh....My heart goes out to you. These are the events that are the hard part of livestock but it does happen as any livestock owner knows and deals with.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you and know we are thinking of you.
Thank you.
DeleteFern
Here is a very good goat site..I do not know if it will help and you may already have it but here goes.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/articles2/articlesMain.html
I think I have been there before, but it has been a while. Thanks for the information.
DeleteFern
Sorry for your loss - I hope Onestrpe is doing ok.
ReplyDeleteOne Stripe is okay, but she is crying for her babies. It is pretty sad. She should be better in a few days. I started milking her last night and will continue to do so twice a day. She is used to the routine, so I hope that helps her out some.
DeleteThank you,
Fern
Oh, I am so sorry. I hope you find the cause so you can prevent this from happening again. Take care of One Stripe and yourselves.
ReplyDeleteThank you and me too. We will be looking to see if we can prevent it. Our three other does are due in late February and early March.
DeleteFern
One more thing...do you save the colostrum? It is so good to have on hand. From my cow experience I used to milk one quarter from each of the gentler cows when they calved. I froze it in Ziplock bags, that after they were frozen flat, I wrapped in freezer paper. It kept well from one season to the next.
ReplyDeleteI am so, so sorry! It's heartbreaking to lose kids, and the mamas do mourn. It's often hard to figure out the why of it too. Praying you have success with that.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteFern
It is hard the first time and doesn't get easier with time. As a goat owner of many years,
ReplyDeletehas your doe had triplets before? If not, this could be the reason. Her body was unable to handle three so aborted early. Sometimes, there is no real explanation.
It is the first time we have had one deliver early, but not the first kids we have lost. And you're right, it doesn't get easier with time. She has had triplets before, all were healthy and she had no problem raising all three. She is a great doe, good attitude, good mother, good milk producer and this incident doesn't appear to have affected her health at all. She is doing well and has lots of milk. We know we may or may not ever figure out why this happened, but will research all we can to see if we can prevent it happening with our other three does that are due in the spring.
DeleteThank you very much for your comment. I appreciate all of the ideas I can get.
Take care,
Fern
Oh, I'm so sorry. I've had it happen in the past too. One possible cause is a head-butt to the doe's side from another goat. One year we had an outbreak of chlamydia and all but one of the does delivered premature or stillborn kids. That was a really tough year. You may never know the cause. I am praying that the rest of your herd delivers healthy kids.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathi. I don't know if we will ever figure it out. I just hope it doesn't happen again. Thanks for the prayers.
DeleteFern