First time having fall kids

Cannon_Farms · #1 09/08/13, 11:42 AM

So, in late April I had a lady coming to buy my buck and while waiting I got the big idea to put him in the goat hauler until she got there and take down the buck pen to move things around. Late April + no sign of heat lest just put him in with the girls for a couple days, would have hurt my feelings and doesnt that now I have kids due in a few weeks. I would have never thought that anything happend, no loving no flubbers nothing but blood test doesnt lie. I have never had kids in the fall I like late winter when they have less exposure to worms and coccidia. So, what extra precautions would you recommend for fall kids vrs spring kids? I am not sure how many are pregnant but we are going to pull blood tonight to send off for the rest of the exposed girls. Giving the fact until she started showing and I really did think nothing had happened I just have dried her off and I normally dry off several months ahead and its not going to be quite a month. I also change feeding to all stock and rye hay when they are in the in non productive stage. I am very worried about potential problems not feeding them properly before now. Cuddler has always dropped and would be due between the 19 and 10-2 I have only removed alfalfa a few weeks ago in order to dry them up better, they have been getting calf mana and BOSS (starting flush) with their all stock in which is a higher quality than most all stocks. I just feel really paranoid at the moment, I should have tested months ago but really didnt see any cause, and of course they dont show until a month and a half to two months before they kid.

Doug Hodges · #2 09/08/13, 11:51 AM

Going to follow along. I have a Lamancha going to kid next month.

Clovers_Clan · #3 09/08/13, 12:14 PM

As far as effects of cocci and parasites, I think it would be similar to spring kidding. If kidding is a few weeks away yet maybe the cooler weather will be of benefit for raising the kids through winter. I know meat breeders that utilize fall regularly to get a second kid crop. So it must be productive or they wouldn't do it. I have done mid-summer, thats one to definitely avoid.

I have seen your girls recently. They looked great and I think they'll be fine!

BTW, since I now have a good milk supply for doing so... and... biting... my tongue... right now, not to say it... argh... I'd be interested in a good bottle buckling.

Oh, why do I do this? I just can't live without a few boys in the herd. Besides, I have a desperately lonely ND. Okay, Please someone, I need an intervention!...

Cannon_Farms · #4 09/08/13, 03:19 PM

LOL, I was very pleased with what these kids turned out to be out of the previous mating. What isnt bred will get bred to a very nice buck who I had to buy when my plans where suddenly changed. Something told me not to sell all my boys but noo, I didnt listen to my gut.

Cannon_Farms · #5 09/08/13, 08:49 PM

well, I am not sure if I have more blood on me than in the tubes but the rest of the herd has had their blood pulled, of course they dont jerk away but at the best time to get enough blood on you that you look like you butchered one.
We also put the one tested open do in with the buckling, neither are happy about not being in the main herd but owell.

Cannon_Farms · #6 09/08/13, 08:51 PM

CC, your welcome to come get one I just wait until they are three days old before I will let them go.

o&itw · #7 09/08/13, 09:57 PM

I think you will find that a kid born in October will completely out perform a spring-raised kid. I hope you keep some of the kids, because I would love to find out that I am correct in this assumption. If I can gauge it right, all my (large) animals will be born in October. I don't have any experience yet with kids, but October born caves do much better in the first 6 months than spring born calves.

Clovers_Clan · #8 09/09/13, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cannon_Farms

We also put the one tested open do in with the buckling, neither are happy about not being in the main herd but owell.

That's so funny. I'm envisioning the two remaining single people in a group of friends being set up on a date.

I am seriously, seriously considering a bottle buckling. The Alpine doe I have has grafted kids, even much older ones. She can nurse him until he's about 10 weeks then I'll move him in with the ND and bottle feed. There will be enough winter browse in the buck pen that I shouldn't have to feed hay.

K Epp · #9 09/09/13, 07:26 AM

I want to follow along and see what happens...

CJBegins · #10 09/09/13, 08:29 AM

I don't have a lot of experience yet but my does all kidded last November. I didn't have any problems with them being too cold. No issues with coccidia or worms. I did the normal prevention treatments but over all they had a great start.

They are all well grown and the doelings are ready for breeding. This year I wasn't stupid and have kept my buck separate. I think if I could make it happen again I would breed for fall babies.

yarrow · #11 09/09/13, 11:53 AM

we use to have a fall kidding season every year (until I got lazy and started breeding them all for spring).. as mentioned.. they grow off really well.. did fine with the cold.. no worm or cocci issues at all.. who knows, maybe we'll break the doe herd up and start having fall babies again sometime in the future.. (the only down side is slower sales.. lots of folks don't have the extra milk to buy/feed bottle kids in oct/nov.. like they do in feb/mar/apr... so they want to buy weaned fall kids.. ME??? I don't really want to bottle someone else's kid until weaning.. Unless I'm going to get enough extra for them to make it worth the time to milk/feed for that long..

susie, mo ozarks