Big step, a little shakey, sad

jBlaze · #1 09/10/08, 02:04 PM

The truck came today to do the pigs. This is our third batch of pigs and they are gross but so yummy, so I have never had a problem with them, Cows too, they are big and scarey and a bit dumb and the basic meat for so much.

Well, we have been thinking about a wether for a while, and have a friend that is interested. My Dh called and the truck will do the wether too. I was not quite ready for that today, so I feel a little creeped out. Sad and shaken. We are doing the wild Feb. wether, not the yearling semi-pet.

But still, this is our first goat as meat. I do not know if I will be able to eat any, probably, since it is the wild one, and our friend will buy most of it. I need to call the processing place to see what our options are, but I will be looking for recipes if I can get that far.

Thanks for listening.

Minelson · #2 09/10/08, 07:51 PM

I'm sad for you

it must really feel weird. Especially since it happened so fast....but maybe that's good so you didn't have to hem & haw about it.

Lada · #3 09/11/08, 06:36 AM

I know that eventually we will have to send some off on the truck as well. We just can't afford to keep a bunch of pet goats. But I am NOT looking forward to that. Even when I was in 4-H, I never knew how anyone could send a GOAT off. They're just so darn loveable. That was the only market animal I never took.

I'm sorry! I hope this feeling passes quickly for you!

cathleenc · #4 09/11/08, 07:20 AM

Uneasy feelings can teach us so much....

I HOPE that someday we can eat our own goats. It makes sense - we raise them organically and it is organic food I want to feed our family. I have eaten goat many times in other places and it is delicious! But this year I just could not eat my bottle babies and so sold them to fates unknown. In the end a safe life and clean, quick death all in the family might have been kinder but I lacked the ability this year.

I'm hoping next year when we have more than just 2 kids I might be up to the task.

ozark_jewels · #5 09/11/08, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cathleenc

But this year I just could not eat my bottle babies and so sold them to fates unknown. In the end a safe life and clean, quick death all in the family might have been kinder but I lacked the ability this year.

This is the reason I dam-raise all my meat bucklings. I know when they are born who will be meat and I just never let myself get attached. Its hard to get attached to a kid that I almost never touch and who doesn't like me.
I cannot butcher my bottle kids.....well, I *can*, but I certainly am not making butchering time any harder on me than it has to be!

bstuart29 · #6 09/11/08, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozark_jewels

This is the reason I dam-raise all my meat bucklings. I know when they are born who will be meat and I just never let myself get attached. Its hard to get attached to a kid that I almost never touch and who doesn't like me.
I cannot butcher my bottle kids.....well, I *can*, but I certainly am not making butchering time any harder on me than it has to be!

I don't have any goats or large livestock but I agree with Emily, if the animal is or might be butchered I think it's best to only touch/ handle them when necessary also I think getting them a cute name is a mistake especially if ya let your kids name them it will only make it harder on you and your kids. I only have chickens but I do understand how difficult it can be to butcher animals ya have raised and it was for me when I went to butcher the Barred Rocks I had almost four years, after the first time it does get a little easier. I am sorry that this so hard on you.

cathleenc · #7 09/11/08, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozark_jewels

This is the reason I dam-raise all my meat bucklings. I know when they are born who will be meat and I just never let myself get attached. Its hard to get attached to a kid that I almost never touch and who doesn't like me.
I cannot butcher my bottle kids.....well, I *can*, but I certainly am not making butchering time any harder on me than it has to be!

totally agree. Our problem is CAE+ doe in the herd - plus we've only dairy goats. So we want the milk! The CAE+ doe did not kid this last year, to our surprise, so this year is her last chance to produce or be culled. Might simplify things for the future years. Also talking with a neighbor about raising our goat kids for us post-weaning so we don't see them for months.

bstuart29 · #8 09/11/08, 10:21 AM

Oh NO I and Cathleenc better get to the doctor right away we both agreed with Emily we must be really sick

cathleenc · #9 09/11/08, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bstuart29

Oh NO I and Cathleenc better get to the doctor right away we both agreed with Emily we must be really sick

are we supposed to disagree with Emily? She is always so incredibly practical and I appreciate her lack of theatrics.

Jeanette · #10 09/11/08, 04:55 PM

Just my two cents worth.
We raised a bottle calf from the time he was three day old. We finally had to do something with him because he was just getting too big for me to deal with. When an 18 month old calf wants to play or cuddle somebody is going to get hurt.
Neither of us really wanted to have him butchered but we did. When DH took him to the processor he got so many compliments on how good looking he was, especially compared to the other calves there, that DH came away feeling pretty good about it all. After we got the meant back - well let me just say I will be looking for another calf to raise asap! The meat was unbelievably wonderful - the brisket I made the other day almost melted in your mouth.
I have not had to decide about any baby goats yet as I am just getting started with them. I know it will be hard to do since they are so darn cute. Having home grown beef, chicken and turkey and how it is So Much better will make our decision a little less painful when we have to make it.
In the long run most us are doing this to benefit our families and as much as I love my animals, my family come first. I'm sure most of you feel the same way.
Killing any animal for any reason is hard (and it should be) but when you can see the benefits for your families health and well-being it is all worth the momentary pain and sadness.
And I will have to remember this little speech when it comes time to do my first batch of bunnies!! Talk about precious. Oh well - Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain!

Jeanette
Texas

Always Learning!

southerngurl · #11 09/11/08, 05:17 PM

You can still dam raise dairy goats. Just let the babies have all the milk the first 2 weeks. Then at that point start either seperating the babies overnight, or tape the dam overnight. You still get half the milk that way. And if they only have a single, and you want to get more milk, you can tape up one side during the day as well, I would alternate which side I taped.

jBlaze · #12 09/11/08, 05:19 PM

Thanks for the moral support.

The friend will buy the whole thing. Do you think $50 for a Feb dairy wether in OR is ok? hanging was 36#. DD gets the $ poor thing she had to give him to "the truck."
Dh said that he would rather go vegan than eat the goats, shich is quite the change from when we got the goats 4 years ago, "stupid evil looking things!" They do have such personality. Ya, notice I chose the wild one, not the one we wintered over, he still has purpose as a companion animal.

manygoatsnmore · #13 09/11/08, 06:57 PM

I think $50 is darn cheap - I'm sure you put more into raising him than you are selling him for. Still, if you sold it to a friend, that may be a good reason to let it go a little cheaper. And maybe you'll be invited over for a few dinners and be sold on the idea of raising more wethers for meat next year.

bstuart29 · #14 09/11/08, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cathleenc

are we supposed to disagree with Emily? She is always so incredibly practical and I appreciate her lack of theatrics.

No Cathleenc I was only teasing. Yes Emily is so helpful and a very caring person and patient, I've learned so much from her. I apologize for making it sound that way.