Lame Goat

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I have a 1.5 year old purebred Alpine who, due to an injury, has lost the use of her right front leg (it is in a bent position at the knee and can't be straightened). She was pregnant at the time of the injury (November 2001) and lost her kids as a result. Should I consider breeding her in the future, and if so, when would I be able to attempt to breed her? She gets around fine on her three legs and seems healthy. Any advise would be appreciated, as I am new to owning farm animals.

-- Dana Dixon (dixondl@hotmail.com), January 10, 2002

Answers

What kind of body frame does she have, is she dainty or fine boned or is she bulky and stocky boned? That will play a role in how she would fare with a pregnancy. I would hesitate to breed her simply because of the stress, maybe give her another yr. I have a dear friend who has a doe, an old Nubian named Nanny. Nanny lost her back leg in a dog attack. She had her leg amputated and then Nanny got out one day and went to visit the buck, got herself preggers, she kidded fine and wa sa great mom. So since then Nanny has had 2 other kiddings, but she is now retired and will live the lap of luxary til she passes.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), January 10, 2002.

If she is mobile, than breed her. Breeding season is almost over so if you are going to breed her for summer kids, its the rest of January and all of Feburary, here, only older does will come in during March. Perhaps if you are further north the does cycle longer? Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 11, 2002.

Thank you for the quick responses! She is a big girl, probably around 150 lbs. I am glad to hear we can breed her again, I was so upset when she got hurt. She is quite a stinker so she's going to be fun to have around.

-- Dana (dixondl@hotmail.com), January 11, 2002.

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