From what I've heard, even donkeys born and raised with goats can just suddenly turn aggressive. Especially when you bring a new goat into the herd, or some kids are born. Donkeys are just not a good option for goat owners period. :( Too risky IMO.
I have not yet had the time to thoroughly read through all of the comments, but I did read your post a couple times over again.
Firstly, I am so, SO sorry this happened. I'm sure you are devastated. :hit:hugs Goats always seem destined to kill themselves, don't blame yourself for those 2...
Yep, sheep are dumb and goats are pretty smart LOL. Too smart for their own good sometimes!
I currently have one that is bent on killing herself (see attached photos). :barnie :he
(And don't worry, she was none the worse for being stuck 5 seconds longer while I snapped the pictures)
Bucks that are bottle raised CAN be obnoxious, but many times it is because of how they are handled. They need to be taught to respect their caretakers from the get-go. If you let them jump up on you, "play" head butt with you when they are 2 weeks old, they are going to continue that as 2 year...
Contrary to popular belief, goats will NOT just eat anything. They are very picky creatures. :he
IMO, goats are more fun, seem to have more personality, and come in every color under the rainbow! But, ask almost any longtime goat owner/breeder, and they will tell you that goats are born looking...
I know it is possible (some people even triple register) but I don't have Nigerian Dwarves so I have no idea how you would go about that.
I would suggest asking on a goat site such as TheGoatSpot or maybe BYC's sister site, BackyardHerds.
It really all depends on if the individual goat takes after their Nubian side, or their Nigerian Dwarf side.
The little Mini-Nubian doe that I had was a seasonal breeder like a Nubian, but I don't know if her milk was richer in butterfat content because I never had her on milk test or anything...
What a beauty! :love
If she's having a hard time finding the teat, I'd go out every couple hours during the day and hold her and let her nurse. You may need to tie up the mom while doing this.
How is the mom's udder? If it is hard and tight you may need to milk it out some to relieve pressure.
Congratulations! Any pictures?
And just for future reference, I had a Saanen go 9 days (day 159) overdue last year. She had only been in with the buck for one day, so we were 100% sure of due date. She made us wait so long but all we got for our patience was a single buck! :lau
How is it going @Bug n Flock ?
If you want to bottle feed, it is usually best and less stressful on both sides to pull the babies right at --or soon after-- birth.
It may be very difficult to get them to take the bottle now since they are going on 3 weeks old, but it could be done.
I have...
@RustyBucketFarmGirl - For goats, the best place I have found is The Goat Spot. It (and the members on it) is amazing and has helped me a great deal. https://www.thegoatspot.net/
And to the OP - I am so sorry your doe miscarried. As mentioned it could be any number of things. I would definitely...
I think the best site for dairy and beef cattle is KFC (Keeping A Family Cow). There are many knowledgeable people over there and I think it will have more info for you because it is mainly a cow forum.
http://familycow.proboards.com/board/19/family-cow
I actually like TheGoatSpot more than BYH when dealing with goat problems or just want to chat with some goat people. But both sites are great with many knowledgeable people!
Do you have pictures of her from the back? How much discharge?
My does usually start having mucous/discharge when they're around 3-4 months bred, so that is not a good indicator of labor. I have a doe due any day (she ran with a buck for many months at her previous owner's place, so no due date...
Ok, so unfortunately, these 3 are the only pictures I am able to download at the moment...
I have 5 purebred registered Nubians - 3 does and 2 young bucks. Then there are the 2 registered Kikos (1 doe & 1 unrelated doeling), plus 1 heavy bred Myotonic doe and a very naughty, (and I mean NAUGHTY)...