Hi all
I've been gone from the forum for a while but now that my home loan is almost complete...(a 4 month process I wouldn't wish on anyone) I am back.
Piper finally got pg and is looking really good and I am detecting some signs that she might be about to birth (not eating much...not her usually mo to be sure and laying around a lot). My question is I got this other little doeling about three months ago to keep her company and beef (milk is the better word as I don't eat my goats..lol) up my little backyard farm and now I am wondering....do I need to separate them during this birthing process ....the little rascal loves to climb on Piper (who doesn't seem to mind) and they get along pretty good when they aren't fighting over some tidbit of hay...
I can separate them pretty easily...should I?
Replies
I have had a closely bonded pair of does stay together in a horse stall while one was in labor, the one giving birth got very upset when I tried to take the other away. Once the deed was done and the babies were on the ground the "Aunt" seemed to feel very uncomfortable and the other doe didn't want her there anymore, so I moved her next door to give new mom some privacy. those two were twin sisters and like "Besties" so maybe not the most accurate representation
So she is not actively pushing at this point? Have you checked her ligaments?
I took piper to the vet cause it did not seem normal...she had a bulge coming out of her vagina about the size of an apple and it had a bright pink protuberance about the size of a 50 cent piece...
The vet said it was from one of her kids probably in a not good position pushing on the vaginal lining (the bright pink part).
So as of Wed when we saw the vet she was not dilating yet....... keeping a close eye on her and the bulging no longer happening....yeah. Thanks Rachel for your prompt reply....much appreciated....
What signs made you think Piper is in labor? That will help us help you. :)
Oh please help with insights..Piper has been I thought in labor since Tuesday afternoon...I took her to my vet yesterday and she said she is not dilating...she doesn't seem in stress and I am wondering how long to wait...the vet said to watch her for signs of stress or lethargy...she wouldn't five her a shot of oxi yet...my question do others have goats with long labors....
oh and just an interesting factoid I will repost on my main page ...she got pg with the billy Gus who had been castrated two weeks prior to hooking up with her so here is the definitive answer for all those who wondered..yes a castrated male still has viable sperm for at least two weeks...Piper is proof
I have three does - two adults I bought in 2010 and one yearling born in 2012 to one of the does. I only bred one doe this year (one of the 2010 girls, who is also the mother of the yearling) and wasn't sure how the other two would behave with the new kids. I was prepared to separate them if necessary, but everything worked out fine. The yearling and adult doe were very unhappy about the new arrivals (two boys), but weren't aggressive toward them at all. In fact, they mostly fought with one another to squeeze under the hay rack, where they would sit and sulk. It was hilarious. I gave the kids a cat carrier bedded with hay they could retreat to if necessary. Of course, after a couple of days, the kids would run up and head butt the older does, but the does, although obviously annoyed, were gentle with them, and although they would push the kids away, they were not pushing them hard. Now the kids use all three does as trampolines and the yearling actually seems to enjoy playing with the annoying little rowdy boys. Sometimes.
It's been my experience that Does with very new kids aren't happy with other does being near them. I always separate after birth, until the littles are about a week to two weeks old, and mom is more settled in with them. I know there are others here on the forum that don't do this, though. Their does seem fine without separation, and the kids seem to be able to do OK too. I personally just like to know that the mom/kid bond is good, and that the kids are fast enough on their feet to get away from the occasional head butt when they venture too close to one of the adults.