| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| QueenofQuiteAlot |
Posted - Apr 23 2007 : 09:53:35 AM
I need some advice...I have a Nubian doe w/ 2 month old kids on her and I milk her in the mornings. She has started, the past couple weeks, to sneak into a chicken nest in the barn and eat one or two whole eggs before we can stop her. I have never had this happen before, and am wondering what this signifies. Is she deficient in something?
She is very well fed, with minerals and kelp available daily, etc.
I am stumped. 
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| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| QueenofQuiteAlot |
Posted - Apr 24 2007 : 2:06:41 PM
What a hoot!
I'll try some green stuff and see if she's a closet coyote, intent on thieving, or just a malnourished goat.
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| Alee |
Posted - Apr 24 2007 : 12:18:43 PM
I guess the old joke about how goats will eat anything is a lot truer than I would have thought! For some reason, adding eggs to the feed would have never occurred to me. You learn something new everyday and I am grateful when it can be something as interesting as this!
Alee
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| Bluewrenn |
Posted - Apr 24 2007 : 09:08:33 AM
I mentioned this on the small rancher list serv (Yahoo) and here is what they said...
"Never heard of them stealing, but I'll give her credit for stealth. In the morning milking time "mash" the does will get a couple of hard boiled eggs (grated) mixed in their grain. It's a complete protein and has high quantities of Calcium, Vitamin D, Riboflavin, Vitamin B12, Iron Vitamin E, Niacin, Folates and assorted trace minerals. When I have extras (eggs that is) I'll use duck eggs, but my wife prefers those when she bakes so the goats have to arm wrestle her for them. Extra protein in milking does is sometimes overlooked. If your friend wants to exchange the kelp for some spirulina to go the green way, it has a bit more protein then kelp and more trace minerals (depending on culture). Using eggs or green matter in this manner is a bit cleaner then then thieving for the eggs, but not as funny." -Steve A.
"I am sure if my does could get to the nests in the coop they would devour the eggs...they love them and whenever the ducks made the mistake of laying eggs where the goats could get them they disappeared in a hurry. Maybe you just need to resize the door into the coop :)" -Carl
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| windypines |
Posted - Apr 24 2007 : 04:18:57 AM
Maybe she justlikes the taste of eggs, and they are there!!! Something different for her to get into. Michele |
| QueenofQuiteAlot |
Posted - Apr 23 2007 : 9:34:16 PM
Ya, I think I'll ask the vet tomorrow. The trouble is that usually around here anyway, the breeders know a bit more than the vets; BUT the breeders never agree 
The chickens free range during the day but are cooped at night. This little hen just holds it until she gets free to run to the goat barn and get into that nice, soft hay! SHE'S the naughty one!
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| Bluewrenn |
Posted - Apr 23 2007 : 8:56:38 PM
I asked my goat mentor about this subject this evening and she said this was a new one for her too... Maybe you might want to check with your vet just in case she has some sort of a deficiency. At least ask if they think she might need to be seen.
I'm going to post this question on some of the goat list servs I am on to see if anyone can find an answer for us...
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| Sarah Blue |
Posted - Apr 23 2007 : 7:49:08 PM
That's very sneaky of her. Reminds me of when we were hiding Easter eggs and they kept disappearing. Our German Shepherd was finding them and having the best time ever! We had to put him in his room. Maybe your little doe needs a time out.
"i believe in god, only i spell it nature." - frank lloyd wright
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| Bluewrenn |
Posted - Apr 23 2007 : 3:33:42 PM
A protein deficiency?
Maybe she just likes to think she is special...and gets special food.
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| Alee |
Posted - Apr 23 2007 : 3:24:05 PM
Dalyn-
I have never heard of this before. Perhaps you should get a phone consultation with your vet?
Alee |
| Bluewrenn |
Posted - Apr 23 2007 : 3:09:14 PM
I have been trying all day to find something to help you with this issue but this is a strange one for me... I know with dogs they recommend not letting the dogs in the hen house, but if you free range, you don't have too much control over that. Especially if the chickens won't accept a new spot for their nest.
Have you tried moving the nest somewhere else?
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