Need some reassurance!

DW Farms · #1 12/03/08, 10:27 PM

Does everyone have as much trouble as me with goats. Seems like I put more and more in to these goats and alls I get is problems. If its not one thing its another. Althought with all the problems I learn a great deal of things, but when is the hurting going to stop.

I do want to thank everyone for all there help with everything, but I think its about time to just throw in the towel on these goats.

Adam

LaManchaPaul · #2 12/04/08, 05:19 AM

Adam, I'm sorry to read of your frustrations. I trust that you'll make the right decision for your circumstances. For me, goats are great. I've lost, but I've gained so much more. When your babies come, you'll perk up. Chin up!

Paul

beccachow · #3 12/04/08, 06:09 AM

As I'm sure you have read in my countless pleas for answers, my first goat experience has NOT been a happy one. I am probably going to have to put down the one of the bravest, sweetest critters I have ever been blessed to own. I, too, learned a lot...in a very short time. Probably too little, too late for my situation.

But in the end, it will all have been worth it. I plan to own goats from here on out. No matter the heartache, the end product is well worth it. Who would have thought a goat could have the personality of a dog? I had no idea!

Hang in there!

Chaty · #4 12/04/08, 08:13 AM

I know where your comming from as I had a bad kidding season this year and I wanted to just stop also...I have been told when the hurting stops and you dont care anymore its time to not have animals. It hurts when they die, thats normal and when you lose babies its hurts, you cry and want to know why...been there...I just know when ever it happens again and it DONT HURT...thats when I will not have anymore...I cry when they are in labor and laugh when the babies are born...I cry when I have to put 1 down...but know its for the best...We have all been there at least once and maybe more. I was told the longer you are into goats the harder it can be sometimes. I remember the 1's I have lost and still cry for some. Then I have thoughts of when they were running and playing and taking care of their babies and it seems to help alot.
Hang in there and learn all you can and ask all the questions you can think of...learning is a tool that will help you all your life...as when you quit learning something is wrong...Good luck and hang in there we are here for you...
Kathy

thaiblue12 · #5 12/04/08, 10:24 AM

There will always be ups and downs when dealing with living creatures.
I remember last year waiting and hoping for my 4 girls to give birth. Well the joke was on me since only one gave birth to a single and the other 3 who were mom and her 2 year old daughters, all had false pregnancies! They got huge, bagged up and everything. I checked them daily and once I got a new buck, they went into heat and "deflated".
It was then that I decided not to deal with problem goats. They were my original goats and now are all sold, being told that they are not breedable. They have all become weeding eating pets for people who wanted them for that purpose.
Get your girls healthy, and try again to breed them, if they abort again have a vet check them and if they pass, sell them off your farm as non-breeding pets, weed eaters or if you can stand it meat.
Maybe you bought yourself troubled goats and will need to start all over like I did. I am much happier now with my Nigies and we had a good kidding year. But even in a good kidding year you still might loose some. I had to have one put down and one that died right while I was trying to tube her. Sure I would like a 100 percent kidding season. Yes all 29 were born alive but the lost of two makes it 27 living kids so not 100 percent but still pretty good.
I am right now frustrated with chickens and really did not want to brrod at all next year but I lost some to my livestock "guardian" dog and the late order I chicks I got to replace those that were eaten have half died.
So animals can equal frustration. But it also can be a positive at times.

Backfourty,MI. · #6 12/04/08, 11:12 AM

Adam, remember just about when your ready to give up then things are just about ready to turn around for the better. I love my goats & have had some problems but very lucky as to never have lost any or had to put any down for illness, etc. yet, but I sure Love having them, they bring alot to our lives here and some are as sweet as my dogs, they have such personality & everyone of them different just like people. If you just hang in there a little longer I bet things get better.

Vicki McGaugh TX Nubians · #7 12/04/08, 03:07 PM

We get livetsock with no real knowledge of them. We use vets who never studied small ruminants and try to morph their either pet practice or cattle practice onto our goats and cause more harm than good. You would think that folks who run feed stores would know a little bit about the feed they carry, nothing is further than the truth unless they raise the stock themselves. You would think that getting information from someone who has had goats for years would be a good idea...then you find out they have never milked their goats, wormed them, and never tell you that they loose about 50% of their kid crops each year and several of the does during delivery.

And of course we purchase stock because it's cute, because I really wanted to get them out of the horrible conditions they are living in, they were starving. All of which plagues you with goats that have disease, virus and worse no immunity.

The more you learn the more your problems simply go away. Vicki

powderhooves · #8 12/04/08, 06:05 PM

Oh Adam I'm so very sorry. I swore last year, after finding a kid in the snow and the mother in the barn having the other two, that I would never EVER go through that again. Then two more arrived and I was frantic at each birth. One day I was watching the babies play and butt one another and found myself looking forward to the next kidding season. The joy overcame the sorrow.

Look at all the hugs being sent your way! You have found a wonderful support group and I am personally grateful that the seasoned "goaties" are here to help us "newbies". I wish I had found this site a year and a half ago.

I can't say I'm not nervous about this or that going wrong but it sure does help to have all the wonderful people on this forum to help with whatever comes our way....to share in our joys and share in our sorrows.

Blessings from Yellow Jacket Ridge

Goat Servant · #9 12/04/08, 09:09 PM

Add my empathy to the pot, stir it up with more knowlege and dont quit.

There are some things out of our control but the more I experience and read and apply it is management management management.

Last spring we brought some to a fair. My breeder was walking with me she pointed to one & said "Is she ok? Her tail is down." The next day she had some runs. As it turned out I gave her some probiotics and she was fine but it was that little sign I had missed!

Minelson · #10 12/04/08, 10:44 PM

I just want to say that you have my support and I hope you don't give up

crazygoatgal · #11 12/05/08, 08:57 AM

You need to do what you think is best for you and yours, ultimately. But just keep an open mind to what everyone has said here because they are wise and have been through everything you have been through, at one time or another. Yes, I do still get upset when I think about the poor doeling that didn't have to die but did due to my ignorance and the ones who maybe experienced an injury or illness due to my lack of education/information. I wish things could be different sometimes, but I feel like if I learn from it and continue to keep learning then it was not all in vain. Good luck and know that all of us will support you.