SageHill
Herd Master
Wow -- of course during the worst weather. WTG getting it done!
rachels.haven 2026 kidding,lactation&farm journal
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Ridgetop
Herd Master
I agree with Frmerjan. Just my opinion, but as a woman who kept a standard dairy goat herd (LaManchas and Nubians) on test and in the show ring for 30 years I would get rid of those NDs since they are only producing a pound of milk and take several days to come into milk. Our herd was culled annually based on milk production, udders, and conformation, so I admit I am prejudiced against the dwarf breeds who are kept as milkers. Their breeders brag about the extra butterfat in their milk, but the extra work milking those tiny teats for the tiny amounts of production would not be worth the effort to me. They may eat little less, but the standard breeds don't eat that much more for the amount of producton. Also my back would never have been able to handle leaning over all the time to deal with the dwarf breeds.
You have good LaManchas out of top lines, maybe concentrate on them considering the amount of work you are putting into your herd, and the amount of milk yo are getting back.
Again, just my opinion. But I don't keep many pets in my livestock, so take it for what it is worth.
You have good LaManchas out of top lines, maybe concentrate on them considering the amount of work you are putting into your herd, and the amount of milk yo are getting back.
Again, just my opinion. But I don't keep many pets in my livestock, so take it for what it is worth.
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- #33
rachels.haven
Herd Master
I haven't seen the butterfat on our tests. The Nubian crosses beat them. Sometimes...I suspect foul play in the milk testing department of some of these herds. Milk testing is only as good as you make it. I may let the ND go. I've got to be sure though because I want to stay out afterwards. I also enjoy my minis, and I need a few ND for that but if push comes to shove...I like my lamanchas the best. Also dwarf bucks are long lived and can be regularly collected and marketed to pay for themselves (and they're funny). I think I'd be okay with selling off the does when I'm ready.
One of my Lucky*Star's Pete daughters has lost her ligaments, has a nice udder little and doesn't want to be in the barn kidding and would rather be in the shed with everyone else, so there's going to be a lot of snow wading this evening. My butt, hips, calves, thighs, and feet can't wait (this sleet ball snow isn't packing really well at these temps and is kind of like quicksand). Yesterday evening I got so tired I randomly took a fall in the house afterward because my muscles stopped listening and gave out. I'm 35 so it mostly just made me mad because my legs ran out of "go". Falling outside in the snow doesn't count because you just go "THUNK" and everything goes quiet since you've sunk in. I'm definitely considering "retiring" to just a herd of like 15 Lamancha does.
The goat kids are out of the house. Those three trips carrying the totes through the snow about killed me.
One of my Lucky*Star's Pete daughters has lost her ligaments, has a nice udder little and doesn't want to be in the barn kidding and would rather be in the shed with everyone else, so there's going to be a lot of snow wading this evening. My butt, hips, calves, thighs, and feet can't wait (this sleet ball snow isn't packing really well at these temps and is kind of like quicksand). Yesterday evening I got so tired I randomly took a fall in the house afterward because my muscles stopped listening and gave out. I'm 35 so it mostly just made me mad because my legs ran out of "go". Falling outside in the snow doesn't count because you just go "THUNK" and everything goes quiet since you've sunk in. I'm definitely considering "retiring" to just a herd of like 15 Lamancha does.
The goat kids are out of the house. Those three trips carrying the totes through the snow about killed me.
frustratedearthmother
Herd Master
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Holy Cow - you've been through it! Hope the next kidding goes smoothly!
- Thread starter
- #35
rachels.haven
Herd Master
FF lamancha Lovely went into labor in the pen between checks and Riker took her doeling and killed it and was working on the two bucklings when i caught him. I can tell the doe had been up and breathing. My guess is the first time mother didn't beat the daylights out of him like Clover and Elsa did. As soon as i can get the pen gate open he's going to go live with my other neutered male, Dogo, in the buck pen until i can move one or both of them on and they will have to make it work because i have a lot of does kidding and I dont want to have to play beat Riker to them every time.
Dogo is extremely food aggressive to the point of injuring goats if he can see them when he eats (i normally feed him in a run in where he can't) and Riker is screwy in the head, slightly untrustworthy and always has been. Both were the last two puppies in the litter. Probably won't take home a last pick again.
Dogo is extremely food aggressive to the point of injuring goats if he can see them when he eats (i normally feed him in a run in where he can't) and Riker is screwy in the head, slightly untrustworthy and always has been. Both were the last two puppies in the litter. Probably won't take home a last pick again.
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- #36
rachels.haven
Herd Master
He may get locked up for the night. Elsa, the doe that had the hard delivery is draining and bleeding when she pees and Riker is fighting for and eating every puddle and just being all around nasty this year.
SageHill
Herd Master
Awe geeze. So sorry.
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- #38
rachels.haven
Herd Master
Well, poo. I caught him shadowing one of the does that is due this week and she has indeed lost her ligs. He does need to get out of the doe pen.
The doe is getting stalled now.
The doe is getting stalled now.
Ridgetop
Herd Master
You will hate me but both those dogs need to go.
Riker needs to go because he kills your kids and is now actively hunting newborns - shadowing does about to kid. You can't rely on the does protecting their kids from an LGD. The dog could kill the doe. The LGD is supposed to be the protector not the predator. Moving him to the buck pen is not good enough since he may attack one of the bucks eventually. Livestock killers should be put down.
Dogo probably should also go if he is so food aggressive that he attacks the goats near his food. Eventually he will go for and injure a goat so badly they will have to be desroyed.
Both these dogs are a danger to your herd, and should be treated like predators. Riker has already cost you a valuable doe kid - one year of breeding wasted. You can't keep these dangerous dogs around the goats and try to protect the goats from the LGDs.
Again, you will probably hate me for saying this, but I hate seeing you work so hard and having a bad dog destroy your efforts. Time to cut your losses.
Baymule
Herd Master
I agree with @Ridgetop . It is not right to pass along a livestock killer or a dog that is that food aggressive. Both should be put down. LGDs are supposed to be protectors, not predators. I'm going to be harsh here and tell you to take the responsibility and have them put down. You don't sell or give away dogs like these to the next person to deal with their problems.
