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Barnyard Buddies:  OMG, my goats are going crazy!  |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 01 2010 : 4:01:59 PM
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What is wrong with them? I only have 2 and they are both acting really crazy. I have never seen them act this way before and I have had them both 4 years. This is so strange.
This morning my hubby was working in the goat yard. He called me and said he was really careful to shut the gate but Abby was in the yard. He didn't know how she had gotten out but she was. And of course psycho Sandy was going balistic because she was there by herself. So I told him to hurry and get her out of the yard because I had planted azaleas this spring and if she eats them they could kill her. Which right now I wish she had eaten some, then I wouldn't have to kill her myself. Which is what I feel like doing right this minute.
So he got Abby up front in the turkey yard and had to go get psycho Sandy too. They were both there when I got home. So I took them both back out back. Then went to feed the cow girls some hay. I turned around and there was Abby right behind me. I have no idea how she got out. All the wooden fence is still nailed. I thought maybe she jumped over. I think it might be the wooden gate. It's kind of loose. So I put them out back farther and tied the gate shut. A few minutes later there she is again.
Now I have them both in the back yard with that gate tied shut and all kinds of heavy metal stuff in front of it. And I fed them hay. They have water. But they are still acting completely crazy. I have never seen them act like this. Ever. What's wrong with them? I never want to go outside again.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2010 : 6:30:58 PM
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Kris
Your not the only one - my boys for the past week have been anything but their normal selves... Extra fights, running around like their tails where on fire, screaming, excessive talking and Yes, even a few of them finding their way out of their pastures even when all gate are closed and locked. I just consider it that time of the year - fall gets the juices flowing in all of us. Since my animals and I love cooler temps we all get the notion to kick up our heels and go wild a bit. Also, animals get a bit scarey because around here the prediators are trying to get enough food in their bellies before hiberation - so the goats are more flighty because of that too.
Hope they settle down for you but just be patient soon they will be huttled in their barn when the snow get deep.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 01 2010 : 7:17:16 PM
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I don't know. I'm sure it's something I'm overlooking. And my husband just left this afternoon, too. I was gone all day and as soon as I get out of the car, all these animals are calling me. Cats, dogs, chickens, cows, turkeys. And goats especially. I am going to start coming home at night and try to sneak in. Anyway, sometimes things just get to me way too much and I can't handle it. And that was today. I was really hungry too. I didn't get to eat til the goats were in the stancion locked up for a few minutes. I was good after that.
I will look things over really tomorrow when I have more time. It's not like they are starving or anything. They get food. Also it seems like things just fall apart as soon as my husband leaves. It will be ok. I'll figure it out.
Thanks Grace. I know I am not the only one who gets frustrated and out witted by their critters. It won't be the last time either. I just need to be able to handle it better and calmer.
I will check all the fences too, Alee. Thanks. I do think it's the loose gate hinge. I'll have to get it tightened asap.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2010 : 03:47:50 AM
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Kris, I think you are handling things just fine. Yes, we all have our times - luckly, I live alone so my melt downs are not viewed by others. I too have found goats use wood as a way to get over things.. A friend of mine had wooden gates and after her goats kept getting out and she could not figure out how we sat up one night hidden and watched. Sure enough they took a running start and was up and over before you could blink. So we changed out for metal and problem solved.
Alee, I agree they are like mice - getting thru the smallest, thinest places that is why I love their horns. Sure keeps them in place at times...
We all have to remember our blood sugar levels - the other day I forgot to eat all day (in town running around) and by the time I got home I was ready to eat the chicken food while in the coop. I had to sit down and get my head to stop spinning before going in the house and drinking a glass of orange juice. As I was trying to down the juice the goats started screaming as if they had not eating for weeks. I must admit I yelled out the back door at them, then I had to go and say "I'm sorry" to each of them - they had no idea why Mommy was being so mean - Low Blood Sugar!!!!
Hope all will calm down.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.artfire.com
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gypsy goat
True Blue Farmgirl
673 Posts
mary jo
michigan
673 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2010 : 07:24:59 AM
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hope the goats are doing better and you too! they are something else, sometimes mine go crazy and act really funny and i wonder if it's not other animals coming into the yard and scaring them. sometimes i have to slow down and go sit with them for alittle bit-like they need some special attention besides getting food and water. they really are like little kids if you ask me-sometimes there is a whole lot of sibling rivalry around here!
farmgirl#1362 whatever you are be a good one-abe lincoln |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2010 : 07:36:50 AM
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goodmorning girls, mine are crazy now too. i just had dr. jake out. he said its their breeding cycle getting them going. he thinks these are the best months to breed back. i am so SAD. i had the two registered goats tested for cae. betty boop came back positive. she is the one i think IS pregnant. i am going to test her through another lab to be sure. i will have to pull babies moment born. that should be a good farmgirl trick.we are not sure she is pregnant or fat. see how much i dont know.lol so i am going to test the other 2 goats also. isabelle came out clean and perfect. bangs test, brucellosis, and tb. all good. my goats just love juniper bark. when i was leading belle across the road to pasture she would stop to eat the bark. must be something they need in there. i do have a few trees totally ringed by the goat girls. hoping you are all having a fine happy day sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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Candy C.
True Blue Farmgirl
823 Posts
Candy
Mescal
AZ
USA
823 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2010 : 11:44:17 AM
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I can SOOO relate to the crazy goat stories!! Yesterday, Madeline just would not stand still to let me milk her! Today, she was fine again thank goodness. Today, when I went to let grandmommy goat and the doeling out after milking, grandmommy immediately ran to the milking shed, opened the door and went in. I was able to grab the milk pail before she spilled it but I couldn't get to the wash-water bucket in time! And then they look at you like "What! I didn't do anything!"
Kris, I bet your goat is jumping over the fence. We had one that did that before. I wouldn't have thought they could jump so high!
Candy C.
Farmgirl Sister #977
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 02 2010 : 4:11:53 PM
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Grace, I know the low blood sugar affects me. And I was really hungry at the time. Thanks for the reminder. I do need to eat before I go out in the evening. In the mornings I usually hit the floor running. I am ok then.
I did have a goat that would jump the fence. Miss Sadie Mae Belle. She was a jumper. I sold her to a lady not too far away. She still gets out all the time. You can read about her and her mother Faith at www.raisinglittlewomen.com. She sure has her hands full.
Abby is 8 years old. I don't think she is jumping. She never has. Or Sandy either. They do know how to open gates though. The pasture up front has a gate they can open. SO we have to keep a hook in the hole.
Mary Jo, it seems like I have been really busy lately and don't really have time to spend with them much. I know that helps to be able to go out and just hang out with them. We used to go for walks out back. I might do that Wed. and Thurs. I am staying home so will be able to do that.
SHerry, Abby is CAE positive. I don't really worry too much about it. But IF she EVER has a girl, I will take her and bottle feed. Because I really want a girl from her to keep. Abby is the best milker. Great udder and very easy.
Candy, sounds like my place there! Never a dull moment is there? It sure makes life interesting though.
I just got home and it was nearly dark. So I just got to throw hay to the cowgirls and gather a few eggs and throw the dogs some bones and feed cats. I checked on the goats. They are still out back. And they were all nice and calm. I am supposed to be getting a buck so I hope that will help the situation.
Thanks again for all the support and help. You farmgirls are the best!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
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Melina
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Melina
USA
435 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2010 : 11:43:23 AM
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Hormones was my first thought. There could also be something in the woods they can see/smell and they are aware of it. Bear, bobcat, any number of things. Dogs are usually a little too obvious and we see them.
The morning breeze has secrets to tell you. Do not go back to sleep.
Rumi |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 03 2010 : 12:59:12 PM
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Alee, I wish I could answer your question. I know a little about it. It's Caprine Arthritis Enchephilitis. I probably didn't spell it right. It affects the joints in goats like arthritis. It's contageous. It's passed through the mother's milk to the kids. I don't know how the goat gets it in the first place. But there is no harm at all to people who drink the milk at all. Some goats that have it never seem to be affected by it while others it can really be bad. It progresses the older they get. But my doe Abby is 8 years old and appears to be doing really good. I have not noticed anything different about her and I have had her for nearly 5 years now. I don't know how she got it because when I bought her she didn't have it. It could have been passed to her by another goat she was with. But my other goats do not have it. It's something most goat owners try to avoid by taking the kids away from the mothers as soon as they are born and bottle feeding the kids. The mother's milk can be pasturized and given to the kids but not straight from the mother.
Melina, I am hopefully getting a buck in the next few weeks. I hope that will calm them down. There are coyotes around and I have seen wild dogs too. But they have never gotten in the electric fence or yard.I have a pretty aggresive dog, too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
Edited by - kristin sherrill on Nov 03 2010 1:00:06 PM |
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Barnyard Buddies: OMG, my goats are going crazy! |
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OMG, my goats are going crazy!
