|
Neutral
|
Wow, that is all very interesting :0 Interesting dynamic ^^ does it ever change? And where will kids be in it? Like are kids top priority or lower then adults? In nature, do males live with females or are loners or they have their male herd? And how well males get along with other males? My english is choppy ;-; sorry
|
|
|
|
Neutral
|
How males get along with kids? Are there and weird goat customs ^^""" cause lions kill and eat newborns, sometimes even their cub cause it is arousing to mother? Or so I heard...
|
|
|
|
Darkseeker
|
Hurry, As for the dynamic, it changes often in bigger herds, but this one is pretty small, so it's only changed a little bit. When they first arrived, Stella had the highest dominance, but she was soon outranked by Destiny. Stella was used to having her mom around in the old herd, though, so I'm guessing that she lost a bit of confidence when they were separated. (Speaking of which, her mom died a few weeks ago at the age of 12.) Kids are usually bottom of the ranking, and they're even ocassionally bullied by all the does that aren't their mothers. Though there are does that dote on all the kids, even those that aren't theirs. However, the kids are always bottom of the ranking, whether or not they're bullied or spoiled. In nature, the bucks and does usually have separate herds when it isn't mating season, with a pecking order within these herds. When mating season rolls around, the bucks will seek out the does and go up the ranking so that a buck is in charge of the herd for a short period, and he will be the one with mating rights. Therefore, if the males and females were kept together at all times, a buck would be in charge. Males will get along when they're familiar with each other and the rankings have been determined. When they're first introduced, and uncertain about who is more dominant, they'll go at each other to figure it out. Once this is over, though, they get along as well as the females do. Bucks are usually just as kind to kids as does that aren't their mothers. If the buck is a kid-loving sort, he'll play with then and such. If he isn't, then he'll bully them if they bother him. They, like does, don't usually go after kids that aren't bothering them no matter the situation, though. As for weird goat customs, I'm not actually sure. Well, some does might help a mother in labor clean off her babies after birth, or if she can't pay attention to them because she's still in labor. However, we'll be separating any does in labor because they have us to do that, and the other goats might just get in the way (at best) or start bullying the kids before they can even stand (at worst). I can also think of how sometimes, during mating, males will woo the females first. Watson was the sweetest to Stella, it was adorable. He was making "buck talk," which is kinda like flirting for goats, and he was licking her neck. My goodness it was a precious moment.
|
|
|
|
Darkseeker
|
Well, I finally got these pictures taken :') As a reminder, Destiny and Catalina are 4.5 months along (T-Minus 2 weeks 'til babies!!), and Stella is 2.5 months along, so just about half way through. ~~~
|
|
|
|
Neutral
|
Wow, those are great pictures! (And does) I can hardly wait for the kids to be born. I hope all goes well for them and their future babies.
|
|
|
|
Darkseeker
|
Thanks! :D I'm still praying that at least one has triplets XD
|
|
|
|
Darkseeker
|
We've officially entered the 10 day window!! That means that the kids can be born anytime now 100% healthy and without being considered premies. As an update on their condition: Catalina looks like she could drop hers any day, she's showing some early signs, but her ligaments are still squishy (something that happens within 30 days of delivery), so she's gonna go at least another day. The ligaments usually "disappear" within 12 hours of delivery. I might even go as far to say as we could get Catalina's on Wednesday, but she could just be lying to me, and then actually wait a while. Destiny is not showing any signs, so I would probably still be expecting hers on Monday. I can feel her babies moving when I palpate her side. <3 Stella is definitely pregnant, she's growing large, which is exciting! She's got thte best breeding, so I was really excited when it became evident that she's pregnant. Edited at March 15, 2021 09:54 AM by Meian
|
|
|
|
Darkseeker
|
Oh, but since we're officially in the 10 day window, does anybody wanna take any guesses? ^^ My guess for Destiny would be: 3 My guess for Catalina: Maybe 2?
|
|
|
|
Neutral
|
Meian said: Oh, but since we're officially in the 10 day window, does anybody wanna take any guesses? ^^ My guess for Destiny would be: 3 My guess for Catalina: Maybe 2? Sure! I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of the kids. ;) Can't wait to see who they look like more. Since I'm bad a guessing... Catalina: within the next four. Destiny: after Catalina, but within the week.
|
|
|
|
Darkseeker
|
Ooo, I didn't even think of guessing how many days until they give birth, mine were for how many kids they're gonna have. Destiny: 7 days Catalina: 4 days
|
|
|