Capri was raising a ruckus this morning; when her udder was so full, I figured that was why. Well, she did *not* quiet down after I milked her! The times I *thought* she might be in heat? Well, today there was no doubt just as many of you have assured me. I had to go to work, but when the boss came in, I asked for a couple of hours off so I could take her for a ride. When I got back to the house to pick her up, a painter that had been next door working a month or so ago asked what was wrong with my goat, that she was quite noisy and had not made a sound before. I assured him she was okay but needed to go visit her boyfriend.
When we got out there, Joann said to put her in the pen next to the barn and she would turn Crazy loose and he would find her. He did and they liked each other - a lot! Legend was making such a ruckus, like he was going to tear down the barn with his buddy gone so she put him in the adjoining pen. So when I left, there was one very happy buck and one likely frustrated buck. Now Capri knows them both in the Biblical sense since Legend is Ginger's dad. I'll be heading back out in a couple of hours to pick up my Capri who will hopefully have kids in April. If Summer's next heat is even half that strong, I *will* know it!
I should have realized something was up when Summer was curled up in the back of the barrel and Ginger was inside the front of it. Though I didn't observe it, I suspect their mom may have been harassing them a bit.
While Capri was waiting for Crazy, she got reacquainted with all her old buddies and new ones she hadn't met as the entire herd came up to see what was going on.
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Well, Margaret, I followed your suggestion and took her back out today for about three hours. He was interested in her but she was only mildly interested in him. He was licking her and kissing her and rubbing his head against hers but she would butt him gently. Not sure what they did after we left them alone but if she is still in "approachable" heat, it was a second chance. I really think Friday did it, cannot imagine that in six-plus hours with both of them very interested that she would not have gotten pregnant then. She was pretty quiet on the way home so she may be finished now. Guess in three weeks or so we will have a better idea but I expect kids around April 5th, little Capris and little Crazys (Crazies?). :-)
Oh, and it did rain today so loading the crate last night *was* a good idea. :-)
(And she was awful on the milk stand this morning. She has been kicking but this morning she was kicking both feet like she though she was a mule!)
After my exposing 5 does and seeing at least 2 of them bred this spring and having no kids, I would go back!
Capri apparently is having a strong (and long?) heat cycle. There is no question Crazy did his job but she is still calling though not the loud calling, sort of sounds like a hog rooting and little coughs but a log of tail wagging and secretion. I called Joann and she said to feel free to bring her back out tomorrow and put her back with him for a while. I told her if she heard nothing tomorrow that all was well; otherwise I would call and bring her back out.
Next time around, I'll know better what to expect. Perhaps when she is calm again, she will settle down on the milk stand as well. I can barely get her udder emptied and must because Ginger has apparently not been nursing at all the last few days. If all went well yesterday, there will be babies April 5th or so or maybe the 7th if I take her back tomorrow. Joann said Crazy would be happy to see her come back.
I will wait until tomorrow to rub her down with baking soda in a nylon stocking. Not sure if it will work to help with the smell, but it is sure worth a try and won't hurt her. I totally understand now why you all told me that the neighbors would *not* be happy if I were to try to sneak by with a buck!
(Off to put the crate in the car so if it rains tonight it won't be all wet.)
I'm a little concerned about Capri. Since she got home, she has been very, very quiet, mostly sleeping (or trying to), almost like she is drugged. Right now, I'm telling myself it's because she had a busy and potentially stressful day though it appeared when I left that she really wanted to be out there. Since she got home, she has eaten some alfalfa pellets but has not touched water as far as I can tell. She had absolutely no interest in coming out to the milkstand so I hope all will be fine until morning.
I must say that I now understand about the buck smell! Their entire inside area smells like buck (or rather stinky buck!); wonder how long it will take to go away.