Irresponsible breeding rant

[Lothiriel]

My uncle raises Boer goats. He's got a huge barn full of them, at least 45 does, 2 breeding bucks, 3 younger bucks he's not bred with yet, and at least 70 kids recently born, with several does still pregnant. And the bad thing is, he's NOT responsible with his breeding. He's constantly breeding them regardless of their quality. Most of his does have these grossly malformed udders that drag on the ground (I know they're meat goats and not necessarily bred for those traits, but they get worse down the generations), and one or two look like they have literally swallowed two beach balls, their stomachs bulge out so bad. Not to mention he has very little market for any of them. He's sold maybe 5 to kids for 4-H, and a few have gone for meat. But it's ridiculous. We've all thought it and talked about it before (in our own family), but today it was the worst.

Last year he had a doeling born whose back legs didn't work properly -- she was called Swivel because her entire back end would swing drastically from side to side with every step. We all thought he'd be smart and not breed her, if he had to keep her we hoped he'd keep her as a pet only. Optimism at best. She kidded last week, twin bucklings, and neither one can move their back legs. The tiny things scoot around, pulling themselves with their very weak front legs, and they can barely reach Swivel's udder to nurse.

IMO that's the worst case of irresponsible breeding I have ever seen.

 

[bock]

How sad, yet it is so common. I hope he realizes what he is doing and stops. But, I might be being a bit too optimistic.

 

[mama2my4]

that makes me so sad, and pretty mad, too.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

It sounds to me like this goes above your typical casses of breeding in a less than responsible manner for monetary gain (especially since it sounds like sales are not happening often). This sounds like a case where a therapist would be needed to make any long lasting changes.

 

[Skyesrocket]

Wow, that does sound bad. And with that many goats those little ones are going to have a hard time getting their share of food. If they don't get trampled before then.
I find it hard to believe that he can't market his goats for meat. The meat market is strong and prices are good. He shouldn't have any trouble selling Boers in the meat market.
I wonder if he is having a problem letting them go?

 

[bnjrob]

Have you considered contacting the humane society/whatever agency deals with animal abuse issues? That's extreme, but what you are describing could, under some circumstances, be considered abusive. Sounds like he needs an intervention and having someone else, someone with authority do it, would be more likely to remedy the situation quickly.

 

[yomama]

Have you considered contacting the humane society/whatever agency deals with animal abuse issues? That's extreme, but what you are describing could, under some circumstances, be considered abusive. Sounds like he needs an intervention and having someone else, someone with authority do it, would be more likely to remedy the situation quickly.

x2!! Irresponsible, and excessive breeding, regardless of species, really makes me mad. In the end, it is always the animals that suffers. The fact that the doe, and now her kids, are basically handicapped, and your uncle really seems to care less for what is best for them, does require some intervention of some sort, imo. Maybe having someone with authority, that isn't emotionally attached to the situation (yet) would wake your uncle up. If the kids are unable to nurse, and your uncle isn't supplementing them, that is neglect. I have a Suffolk ewe that apparently is very good show and breeding quality (she was a rescue). I have a friend that raises sheep for 4H. She was always telling me we should breed my ewe to one of her rams. My response, why? I have no desire for babies, I wouldn't want them sold for meat, and I especially wouldn't want to risk my ewes life. I just have never understood why people breed their animals; livestock, dogs, cats, just because they can.

 

[Lothiriel]

Quote: My feelings exactly. It's ridiculous what some people will do.

The kids can nurse, but just barely. Also, the 3 of them have their own pen, away from the others so they aren't in danger of getting trampled, at least now. IF they survive and he puts them in with the others, that may be a different story.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Kind of sounds like a hoarder to me. How on earth does he get around to trimming all those hooves, deworming and vaccinating on a regular schedule? I really doubt he does. For the sake of the goats I hope someone in your family will have a serious talk with him about his problem.

 

[yomama]

Kind of sounds like a hoarder to me. How on earth does he get around to trimming all those hooves, deworming and vaccinating on a regular schedule? I really doubt he does. For the sake of the goats I hope someone in your family will have a serious talk with him about his problem.

I'm wondering that too. I know that with my 4 goats and 1 ewe it can be a chore keeping on top of those things - of course, I have alot of animals that need maintenance, so that has something to do with it. If those things aren't being done, or at least the hooves, that could be enough to get the authorities attention. It really depends on what is law where your uncle lives. This is a tad off topic, but this reminds me of a horse that lived by my kids bus stop. At least twice a day, I had to stare at this poor guy, that for the longest time, had no shelter, was fed really crappy hay, when he was fed, and it was hit and miss if he had water. I actually got the nerve to report this, and was shocked to find out that legally, the horse owner is only required to provide food, water and vet care. Shelter was not a requirement. This is when it was in freezing temps with rain. I got really scared when temps were in the 90's, and he had no visible water. The people that live there have minimal running water themselves, so the horse was not a priority. The sheriff's department is who handles livestock cases out here, and he was very familiar with this horse's owner. Although he had visited the owner numerous times, "talking" to her, nothing ever came of it. I'm guessing the horse must of had food and water each time the sheriff was there. This poor horse was skin and bones at one point, had constant rain rot, and a halter that was indented into his face. The sheriff told me that the owner admitted that it had been years since the horse had had its teeth floated or wormed. There was a wonderful lady up the street that actually fed him quality hay once a day, gave him a mineral block and kept a bucket of water out for him, away from the owners house, as for her not to see it. Se had to of known though, as where she fed him was along the roadside. I would of taken him in a heartbeat, if I had the space, money and barn. I noticed about a month or two ago that he was no longer there. I'm hoping he went to a better home, like the lady up the street that was feeding him.