I have a question about the afterbirth/placenta. I have been told two different stories. I was told to leave it with the doe and she needs to consume it for nutrients and other people have told me that I should remove from doe pen ASAP. Please advise. Thank you.
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Thank you for bringing that to our attention. I would not have thought about that. Afraid mine will go into the trash if the girls don't eat it. The ick factor would not let me put it through the blender for them though I hate to just throw away good nutrition. I would feel just awful if one did choke and die.
Seems like chickens might have some difficulty eating it, but then I know someone who feeds her chickens the intestines of fish, and they don't have any problem with that. I'd keep an eye on them while they're eating it though.
Glenna Rose said:
Sounds like if the doe doesn't eat it, then giving it to the chickens would be a good thing. That way the nutrients are still used. Would there be any reason to not do that?
My first goat choked on her placenta and I had to pull a long string of it out of her throat. Having said that, I still believe that eating the placenta is good for goats and has all the benefits that Deborah shared. I usually let them eat a little of it (if I am there) and then take the rest away.
I think the main reason that people remove it is because of their squeamishness. I spoke with one man whose wife was so squeamish that she insisted they stay with the goat till it was passed and be removed immediately.
I edited a book called Placenta: The Gift of Life, by Cornelia Enning, which tells about historical uses and traditions around placenta in humans.
In nature, animals eat their placenta. It is full of nutrients and hormones, which help with contracting of the uterus, as well as replacing the iron lost in blood during and after delivery. The only reason I have ever heard anyone say to remove it is because "the doe could choke on it." I've had more than 100 does eat their placenta, and no one has choked or even come close, so I don't know where that comes from. Maybe one out of ten does ignores it, so then I take it out and give it to the dog. It is highly nutritious. If anyone has told you why you should remove it, I'd love to hear their reason.