First Kids and Puppies due at same time

[Jyllie63]

I've got about 3 weeks to figure out what the best plan of action is. My LGD should be having puppies about the same time that my first goat kids arrive. The shelter is a 3.5 sided shelter that they all share. This will be the LGD's first puppies so I have no idea how she is going to be. I'm wondering if I should move her to the other side of the fence where she can have access to the barn for more privacy with her pups. I don't want her snapping/biting at the goats. If I do this though I won't have an LGD in with my goats because the other one jumps their fence. If a predator were to try and get in I know their barking would probably scare it away, but they just wouldn't be able to get to it. For those of you with LGD's who have had pups...what do you think? She's GP/Anatolian mix.

[luvzmybabz]

I have never had a litter of eaqch in the same barn but I think maybe that many hormones flying in that space may not be the best idea. You say the other LGD is not in that pen because he jumps the fence is he where he could get in the pen if necessary?

[Bearfootfarm]

I'm wondering if I should move her to the other side of the fence where she can have access to the barn for more privacy with her pups. I

You need to seperate her from the goats until the pups are several weeks old
Build a "whelping box" so she can come and go, but the pups can't get out
A dog nursing pups needs a break from working and a LOT of extra feed

[Jyllie63]

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

You need to seperate her from the goats until the pups are several weeks old
Build a "whelping box" so she can come and go, but the pups can't get out
A dog nursing pups needs a break from working and a LOT of extra feed

Should I go ahead and move her to the "barn side" of the fence now so that she feels more used to it? She eats on that side everyday, but I always put her back with the goats as soon as she is done eating. I was thinking that putting her in a stall might work? I can lock the gate so that she can crawl under but the alpacas can't get in. I'm not sure about getting a whelping box for her since my DH is out of town and I know I can't build it. I can put a large dog cage in there for her where the puppies can't get out, but then I would have to let her out to eat/potty. I think I'm going to have to get creative here LOL

[Jyllie63]

Originally Posted by luvzmybabz

I have never had a litter of eaqch in the same barn but I think maybe that many hormones flying in that space may not be the best idea. You say the other LGD is not in that pen because he jumps the fence is he where he could get in the pen if necessary?

Yes...this is what I was thinking...raging hormones! The other LGD is her sister. The male actually stays either in the house or on the chain outside since he is a fence jumper too. The good thing about him though is that IF something were out there he can be let loose and jump into the goats fenced area.

[Bearfootfarm]

I'm not sure about getting a whelping box for her since my DH is out of town and I know I can't build it.

All you need is a few boards or some plywood.
It needs to be 12-16 inches tall so she can jump in and out, but the pups cannot climb out. Make it long/wide enough so she can stretch out for them to nurse.
If you do it in a corner, it only takes 2 sides.

Put down a thick layer of old hay to keep them dry and warm.

I'd move her there at least a week before she's due so she can get used to it, and because "due dates" arent precise anyway.

[KSALguy]

can you build her a private cave like welping box INSIDE the goat enclosure? where she can get in and away from the goats, may be put a cattle pannel around the whelping box that only she can get in?

takeing her compleatly out of the goat pen might risk preditor attack, thats why i would try and make a private place for her but keep her still in the pen,

[Jyllie63]

Originally Posted by KSALguy

can you build her a private cave like welping box INSIDE the goat enclosure? where she can get in and away from the goats, may be put a cattle pannel around the whelping box that only she can get in?

takeing her compleatly out of the goat pen might risk preditor attack, thats why i would try and make a private place for her but keep her still in the pen,

I thought about this, but I really worry about her hurting one of the new kids that should be born around the same time. The other goats know to leave her alone at this point, but the new ones might be too curious. She was great with them last year, but she wasn't a new mom KWIM? I have a large dog run that I can get. I've thought about that and then just let her out when I'm out there. Even if I put a cattle panel up I think the babies might be able to get in...not sure. I really just need to get my DH to put some electric to the fence and then put the other LGD on that side. I can't wait until these dogs are out of the "puppy" stage. Even though they are over a year old they are still "little" boogers LOL

[Oregon Julie]

LGD pups will be able to walk right through the holes in a cattle panel. My litter of Kuvasz/ASD cross pups would toddle out of their nest at 4 weeks of age and walk through the cattle panel fence, much to mom's dismay. I penned my bitch up right next to the goats with a box to whelp/raise the pups in when they were small and opened it up with they were old enough (3 1/2-4 weeks) to walk around a bit. Having them with the goats directly at an early age can be tricky, it kind of depends on your goats and how much respect they have for the dog and her pups as to whether you can keep them together early on.

[Bearfootfarm]

When Brandy had her pups, she wouldnt let the sheep within 10 feet of them, and for the first 30 minutes after I found them, she wouldnt even let ME near them.

Seperate them completely for the goats AND the pups protection.

If you have other LGD's around , its not likely you'll have predator problems anyway.
You'll be able to put her back with them in a few weeks.

[ShyAnne]

I would move her out, as taking care of new born pups should be her only job at this point.
She will be very protective of her new pups.
If you dont have the tools to make a whelping box, a good substitute that I use is a large cardboard box with a doorway that is 8-10 inches off the floor. I realize this is a BIG dog but maybe a refrigerator, washer dryer box would work. or even a few boxes duct taped together.
Best wishes for your new arrivals.

[Jyllie63]

Thanks everyone! I am going to move her about a week before I think she's due. Right now she doesn't even look pregnant...so who knows? I saw ALOT of action going on though so I'm pretty sure she's pregnant (she was in heat at the time).

[Bearfootfarm]

Right now she doesn't even look pregnant

Brandy never got big.
I wasnt even sure she was bred until her teats started to fill out, a couple of weeks before she whelped