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Darkseeker
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Thank you :) I have learned from this experience, as sad as it is. Next time I notice a goat looking a little thinner than is typical, I will rush her to the vet as soon as possible rather than simply worming and hoping for the best. The others are also getting an extra wormer in case they contracted whatever parasite it is that ended up killing her. Seeing as her getting sick coincided with weaning her boys, I think her body didn't adjust quickly enough to the lower production of milk. As crazy as it sounds, does usually have weaker immune systems when they're drying off. I'm happy to hear you were trying to help as many cats as possible, and it's sad to hear about the ones you lost, but I'm ecstatic that the other siblings ended up in a lavish cat home. I've seen some crazy houses that basically belong to the cats, and there's just a person living in it that provides them with food. XD If you plan on keeping a buck in tact, he ends up peeing on himself, flirting with and mounting most everything that moves, and being very pushy when there's a female around (sometimes he doesn't care about what her species is XD). However, I'd say males are typically a bit less bright, and so they're usually more loving and entertaining than the females. If you're planning on getting the male fixed, then I would 10/10 recommend you have a fixed male rather than a female. They're sweet, affectionate, and entertaining without the sassiness that more females have. If my goats were just pets and not for show/ breeding, I would probably have more (fixed) males than females. XD
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Neutral
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So I've been thinking about getting goats, and was wondering if a goat parent had any advice? :0
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Darkseeker
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I have so much advice to give XD It depends on the specific stuff you're looking for, but here's some general stuff. (Feel free to ask questions, obviously) ^^ I would recommend getting at least 3, but the more, the merrier. Goats love to have more choices and opportunities for friends, like we do. If there's only 2 or only 1, then you just need to be prepared to have a goat that act a lot like a dog (follows you around, constantly wants attention, more prone to letting their curiosity get them in trouble, etc.) Whatever fencing you use, make sure it isn't too-thin wiring or has any little barbs or nails sticking out. Goats love to rub against any surface and will use a fence as a scratching post, so thin wires, nails, etc. will result in injury. Trust your goats on what they can eat, but do the research. If there's poisonous plants, they typically won't bother with them (this is both instinctual and learned behavior). However, make sure you research to be positive the plants in their reach are safe if you don't know already. If the plants are safe to eat, they will destroy whatever parts they can reach. (I find that goats also don't fancy poison oak/ ivy when they first see it, though it's perfectly safe for them to eat, and they will eat it once they realize this. They do enjoy eating cobwebs, and this is fine, just not excessive amounts.) Whatever food you give them, make sure to do the research to make sure it meets their individual dietary needs. No matter where a goat is, they will need a mineral supplement to stay in top condition. What minerals they need can vary, but most places have amounts of copper and salt that are too low for goats, so these are common minerals found in mineral dishes.
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Darkseeker
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Sorry if that feels like a lot, and let me know if there's anything else you're wondering about, I always have more experienced goat people I can ask if I don't know the answer myself. ^^ . That's just the stuff off the top of my head, anyway. :')
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Darkseeker
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Goat Pictures!! <3 . . Also, I noticed Stella seeming a bit skittish around Destiny's daughters, so I did a bit more research about goat pecking orders, and found out that daughters are born just below their dams! I guess this isn't too crazy, seeing as some animals use this system, but I haven't heard of herd animals doing this, just pack animals (canine/ feline types). The herd pecking order (front page) has been updated. ^^
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Meian said: Goat Pictures!! <3 . . Also, I noticed Stella seeming a bit skittish around Destiny's daughters, so I did a bit more research about goat pecking orders, and found out that daughters are born just below their dams! I guess this isn't too crazy, seeing as some animals use this system, but I haven't heard of herd animals doing this, just pack animals (canine/ feline types). The herd pecking order (front page) has been updated. ^^
Wow :O that is cool to know :D
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Darkseeker
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Yeah! I was quite shocked with it myself. XD I have, however, noticed Bean acting like she's the queen even though she'll run and cower the moment anybody except Stella looks at her wrong lol. . I've also noticed that Stella seems to be acting a bit more aggressively towards Jade, perhaps trying to work her way up? She's leaving Iris alone, though. . I am currently on watch for signs of heat! Once they come into thier first heat heat, I'll call Watson's owners, and it'll be approximately 3 weeks until we take Stella over to get bred. . A MAJOR decision has been made!: We've decided to retire Destiny for several reasons. 1) She is getting up in age, and, though she can still safely be bred, it's getting harder for her and she struggles a bit to keep on weight during lactation; 2) Her lines aren't as good as Stella's in general; 3) Bean is young enough to show without being bred this year and next, and she will have been bred by 2023 (we only need 2 does to show - for me and my sister). Edited at September 29, 2021 12:52 AM by Meian
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Neutral
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I'm glad to hear you guys won't put too much pressure on your animals :3 despite only getting one breeding out of her. P.S. How do you know what signs of heat are? I thought only animals could figure it out through smell, so owners know which female is in heat by male's behaviour
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Darkseeker
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Hurry, Sorry I didn't see this >.< ~~ Having a male around (intact or fixed) can definitely help because he'll go crazy and the doe will show an interest in him when she's in the mood. ^^ However, even when there isn't a male around, there are a few signs that does display even when theree isn't a male around. She'll have a discharge, flagging (wagging the tail, reason isn't clear, but some think it's to spread her scent towards the male to show her readiness), a doe will sometimes become verbal (Stella really screams when she's in heat, for no reason, constantly, and super loud), and they'll sometimes urinate more often than previously. When there isn't a male around, sometimes a doe in heat will act "bucky," meaning that she'll make buck talk (little blabbing sounds bucks make to flirt) or mount other does. ~~ Stella just came back from a date with Watson (Nov 3-6). ^^ We'll have to see how it works out, and hopefully it took. :') When she got back, all the does were very interested in her lovely perfume (the buck scent that rubbed off from Watson). and Bean finally is keeping quiet after screaming for her mom for days. :')
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