She had triplets but unfortunately, one was dead. I had the baby monitor on but she didn't make a sound. I'm upset because I wonder if I checked on her sooner, maybe I could have opened the sack like I had to for the last one. Guess I'll never know. I did tube to last one because it wasn't having any luck suckling and I didn't want to lose that one too. Got a mouthful of raw milk in the process...don't ask.

Update on our goat-dog. My husband was still against selling it until it started really annoying him today. He finally was home to see how much attention she needs and that she pees everywhere. Also, now that she is stronger, she wants attention and can climb over blocks we put up. I keep telling him that his "dog" just peed again or his "dog" is getting into trouble or his "dog" needs to be fed. He won't let me have a puppy so...

Anyway, he said I can sell her now. He didn't realize that she had to be in the house so much. (She was getting into trouble so I caged her and she wouldn't stop screaming until I let her out. She then fell asleep on my feet making little noises every now and then like she was having a nightmare) After her last feeding, she calmly walked herself into her cage and went to sleep. Go figure. I've started putting her in the barn by herself so that may have been why she had a panic attack.

What did I get myself into??

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2003

Answers

Hi Dee! I was thinking the "what did I get myself into" question not long ago. Sorry about the triplet. Probably not much you could do; still sad, though. Still in the lambing mode here. The ram lamb is getting a lot of milk, but the little ewe isn't doing too bad. Hmm. *I* could use a drink, now that I think of it! However, it's midnight, and miles to go before I sleep....probably the other ewe will deliver in the next few hours.

Anyway best of luck with everything else. Keep us posted. Funny to think of the millions of folks doing the kidding and lambing around the world, and the very few doing it (relatively speaking) here in North America. We must be special (wink!).

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2003

Hey Dee and Sheepish!! Congratulations on your birthings. Tough to lose one, Dee, but sometimes Mother Nature knows best. You gotta tell us sometime about the mouthful of raw milk!!?? Don't keep us wonderin' :-)! I've never gotten up the nerve to tube any kind of animal. I've assisted in the births of goats, sheep, cats, dogs and cows...but I'm just to squeamish to try to get a tube down the "right pipe"!!

I think lambs are one of the cutest of babies, especially when they all start bouncing around with stiff little legs :-)! Hmmmm...what is the word for that??

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2003

Gamboling? Other ewe hasn't delivered yet. Off to work. Hope she does well this today. Other mom and twins are doing fine. My mom will stop by for a mid-day check. I'm getting good at sleeping in a chair!

-- Anonymous, April 23, 2003

I think they purposely have the kids when we're not looking sheepish.

The mom with the triplets (bottled the runt) disowned the buck. Seems he'd sneak a drink off any mom he could by coming up from the back. I think that one mom dripped EB fluid on him and he smelled different. That mom does't mind feeding him or any other kid who goes under her. She sometimes has all four trying to feed. (they all look alike. White with tan heads. Brother/sister groups) So she adopted this buck too. I tried to suppliment him with a bottle but he wanted nothing to do with it. I may see if I can bottle the doe since I'd like the bucks to get nice and big (they bring better money then the does since they are not too pure bred)

This buckling also seems to have adoped the bottlefed sister. I put her out with the gang and she did fine. Just staying away from any moms and since she doesn't know how to nurse, she has no problem. Anyway, she lost the group and was calling. He called back, came running up to her, then brought her back to the bunch.

Oh, oh, did I tell you guys that when I brought the baby goat to work, she was climbing all over their dog? He's a Mastiff, 7 months but over 125 lbs. It was hysterical. He's such a good dog. Everyone who came into the pet store loved her too. Caught quite a few walking around carrying her. She is getting so spoiled.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2003

I think I should switch to goats and become Goatish (although the handle just isn't the same!). I just docked tails. I'm wondering why the hell I chose sheep. Sheep are sometimes so much maintenance (although not really, if you average over the whole year, I guess)...docking tails, shearing, vaccinating, trimming hooves, castrating...I guess just the docking and shearing are different from goats. Don't they have polled goats? ( I would hate dehorning the most of any stuff).

Maybe goldfish...? "Goldish"?

For you livestock folk, how come you chose the critters that you did? (cows, horses, goats, doves, cats...and Jay: mice (oh okay, worms!)

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2003

Okay, I'll start. In my case, as you know, I moved to have the horse in the backyard. I had chickens and rabbits that I raised and sold. (I have since stopped them) I have had seasonal pigs, which I feel are the easiest animals to raise...very short term. I decided to do goats because I have wooded land and they love to eat trees and brouse. I think I would have tried cattle if I had pasture. I do the animals for farmland assessment to lower my taxes. I'm only saving $500 but since my taxes are now $48,000, every little bit helps. I also feel that none of my neighbors could ever complain about the animals if it's farmland and if we ever sell, it is very appealing to buyers.

PS The bottle baby has been going out with the other goats and doing well. He brother is still taking care of her.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2003

Are you saying your property taxes are 48,000 dollars??? you must be joking.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2003

Ooops, $4,800. Yea, kinda high, huh?

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2003