Goat Thread!

[TJAnonymous]

I have goats with and without horns. My goats are kept near the house, protected by fencing and (occasionally) a LGD. Those with horns have never been required to use them for protection. They've never hurt each other with their horns either... I am neither for or against horns. I think there are many factors, including individual situations, that drive the choice whether to disbud or not.

 

[1cock2hens]

You can say your goats haven't had to use there horns but there is no way of knowing that unless you are in the heard 24/7. For all you know they have used them in defensive situations that you never witnessed and because of the horns there was no evidence and everything was fine. Predators strike during the day too, just because you put them up at night doesn't mean they won't be slaughtered during the day. We have bears here, bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, foxes and wild dogs. Horns might not save them from all these predators but I'm sure they are more helpful than hindering

 

[1cock2hens]

I guess my point is . Better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them

 

[TJAnonymous]

I guess my point is . Better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them

As I said, it's an individual decision. I'm glad that works for you. Others might have valid reasons to disbud their goats. There's nothing wrong with it.

 

[TJAnonymous]

I checked on Annie today and couldn't feel the ligaments around her tail... I hope that's a sign that her kidding is near and not just my inexperience at feeling for them!

Poor baby is so lonely being separated from the herd. Breaks my heart to leave her locked away... I try to spend time with her every day. Brushing her and giving pets & treats.

 

[TJAnonymous]

Baby Watch is officially online!

 

[1cock2hens]

I noticed alot of boys being born this year and on the Facebook groups I've seen alot more mutated kids then ever. Feeling lucky to have had 6 births, all girls this year, all sold

 

[HipMystic]

I noticed alot of boys being born this year and on the Facebook groups I've seen alot more mutated kids then ever. Feeling lucky to have had 6 births, all girls this year, all sold

I’ve seen a lot of boys this year to! I had almost 50/50, 5 boys and 4 girls

 

[TJAnonymous]

Still no baby. Tomorrow will be exactly 145 days since I brought her home. Hopefully she will kid within the next week... I tried to feel for her ligaments and couldn't find anything. Her bag is swollen up too... She wouldn't let me touch her bag though. She looks offended when I try. This is the first time she's ever been bred.

 

[HomesteaderWife]

Hey goat lovers, I don't know how many of you are over on the sister site BackYard Herds but I could really use a good, experienced goat caretaker/breeder with a few questions today please. Mom was a tad earlier than expected by a few days and also rejected so I'm running around trying to find answers as best as I can:
Navel dip question - and - Photo thread asking about head shape