We lost one

PrettyPaisley · #1 07/31/10, 04:23 PM

I don't think I can do this, either.

I just came home to find Lodden dead, upside down in a very thin trench we had dug to run water and electricity to the shed. I have no idea how she got in such a teeny spot.

It only took us a month to kill her. I'm not so sure now that I'm cut out for this. I can see how getting your dinner handed to you in a bag without getting out of your car became so popular.

pygmybabies · #2 07/31/10, 04:28 PM

oh man! I am so sorry. Things like that just happen sometimes. Dont feel guilty, you didnt kill her....it was just bad luck.

Alice In TX/MO · #3 07/31/10, 04:29 PM

I'm so sorry. I'll tell you we all lose a few in weird ways.

Huggs,
Alice

Minelson · #4 07/31/10, 04:33 PM

I am so sorry! It's not your fault...it's a freak accident. What an awful thing to come home to. Hugs to you...How is Millie doing? Don't make any rash decisions yet...let the trauma settle first. I'm sure Millie wouldn't want to go to a different family. It was an accident

QoTL · #5 07/31/10, 04:42 PM

(((hugs)))

I am so sorry about your baby.

farmerjohn · #6 07/31/10, 04:54 PM

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of one of your goats. I am sure that it is awful to have that happen. I have not gone through that yet with goats and I know that it will probably happen one day. I hope your loss is softened quickly.

PrettyPaisley · #7 07/31/10, 05:00 PM

Millie is loney and sad. Lodden was her sister. I let her out with me in the garden and didn't mind that she chewed on my rose bushes. She had fun until we had to come back in and now she is by herself.

I don't get how quickly these animals die. That's 1 hen, 8 baby rabbits and 1 goat in a week. It's insane. I don't have enough room in the backyard for all the holes needed to bury them in.

I do want to keep Millie and I don't want to throw in the towel but I don't know if I can get used to this. I had a cat that died in my arms after 21 years with me. I'm not acustom to lots of death.

We need a mate for Millie. I called the farm where we got them both and they don't have any more doelings. What would be the best companion for her?

farmmom · #8 07/31/10, 05:05 PM

How about a wether? He would be a great companion without the risk of breeding before you were ready.

The Tin Mom · #9 07/31/10, 05:15 PM

(((Hugs))))

Minelson · #10 07/31/10, 05:23 PM

Do they have any wethers? If so that would be great. The sooner the better. More hugs

farmerjohn · #11 07/31/10, 05:25 PM

A wether would be great to get as a companion. I bet there are a few out there and maybe a call to the 4-H office would produce some results as well as posting at the Farm Stores or even asking at the local feed mill suppliers. I am so sorry to hear of all of the other animal losses. I know that I have seen kittens in with goats alot when I go to look at goats at breeders and show people. I wonder if they use them as companion animals to the goats or just a naturally occuring process.

Alice In TX/MO · #12 07/31/10, 05:26 PM

I have a weanling doeling that I'd GIVE you. Anybody driving from Missouri to North Carolina?

beccachow · #13 07/31/10, 05:28 PM

I agree, I love my wethers.

My firsst journey to HT was because of a very sick goat. I have lost several since then, and have seen too many heartaches to count here. But I have seen funny pics, adorable babies, inspiring stories...it is all worth it. HUGS.

PrettyPaisley · #14 07/31/10, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

I have a weanling doeling that I'd GIVE you. Anybody driving from Missouri to North Carolina?

I'd do a road trip. 'Got family in Arkansas I could stop and visit.

Millie is hanging out near the rabbit cages right now. Poor girl.

I'll check around for a wether. I do think the farm has one available. I'll call her now.

Thanks y'all.

nehimama · #15 07/31/10, 05:30 PM

Oh, Paisley! I'm so sorry for all your losses. Please keep it in your mind that you DIDN'T kill her! I've had some very strange situations with goats; some that ended well, and some that ended in their death. They just know the best ways to get into trouble! You can't protect them from every single thing! You just can't. (((hugs to you and yours.)))

Cannon_Farms · #16 07/31/10, 05:37 PM

A month, I think my fastest kill time has been three days so your doing better than I have in the past. It sucks but we all have to learn the hard way sometimes

PNP Katahdins · #17 07/31/10, 05:43 PM

Shannon, this is why I suggest new sheep and goat owners start out with three rather than two if they can. You are devastated and so is Millie. A wether is a great idea, especially from the same farm so she may remember him, or at least his smell.

Hugs from Peg

Otter · #18 07/31/10, 07:09 PM

Oh sweetie, <<<hugs>>> for both you and Millie.

There are animals (and some people) who just seem to have a date with death they spend their whole lives trying not to be late for.
Sometimes, I think the best and worst of homesteading is that it just up and smacks you in the face with all of life.

chewie · #19 07/31/10, 07:39 PM

my first few years with goats went great, not a problem. then this past spring i lost 3 of my 4 does. that left me with babies everywhere, no mik for them, not to mention us. i had sold 5 does to keep my numbers down, so there i was with ONE doe.

i learned why it might have happened, fixed it, and went out and bought 2 new does. they are fine. keep going. i like the idea of getting 3 at first just in case of something like this. i am so sorry, i know how hard it is. and it happens, just do your best (i'm sure you did!) but keep going.

Goat Servant · #20 07/31/10, 07:54 PM

Yeah decided to get some partridge plymouth rocks. Got 3. One died a few days later.
Goats are a whole nother ballgame but yeah I'd suggest 3.
Just now had to put down a 2mo old bottle baby.
"Will the circle, be unbroken? By n by Lord by n by. Theres a better home a waiting, in the sky Lord in the sky."