Would you move this goat right now??

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I think I mentioned on a post last week that I could buy a Nubian who is due to deliver shortly. What do you guys think about moving a goat who has about a week left before kidding? She is about 18 months old and this is her first kidding. She looks like she might be carrying 2 kids. Another one he has for sale looks like a battleship and is carrying 4 according to vet. What I'm trying to figure out is whether moving her will stress her and cause a hard birth. She is moving either way because if I don't take her he has a line of people wanting her. I really want her- do you think it will be allright? I'd appreciate any advice about what to watch for or do to make it easier. Some of the goats this man has are huge! They look more like ponies than the goats I'm used to! Well, I am excited and rambling here,Sorry! I'm just so excited. Thanks, Kathy

-- Kathy (kack@mybluelight.com), April 05, 2002

Answers

I can't believe anyone would sell a doe so close to her due date- it just isn't very responsible or easy on the goat. If you live very close, like half an hour away, and can transport her in a trailer or something covered, with plenty of bedding and padding under her, it would probably be OK. But if it will be a long distance haul, and on a flatbed, or in the back of a pickup, then either forget it, or pay for her now, get a bill of sale, and move her after she kids. That's my opinion on the matter.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), April 05, 2002.

Rebekah, She's about 15-20 minutes from the house. The other doe I was telling about (with4 kids) he said could not be moved any distance at all because shes just too close. I'm kind of concerned about moving either of them at this stage, thats why I posted. Of course, as crowded as his barn is from kidding, that might have something to do with him selling now! What about the stress of new owners on her? Will it affect kidding?

-- Kathy (kack@mybluelight.com), April 05, 2002.

I agree with Rebecka. I don't like moving goats anywhere within 2 months of their due date. Buy her, get a bill of sale and move her after she kids. Jan

-- Jan Nordberg (oim@icehouse.net), April 05, 2002.

Is she tame? If she is, and is friendly to people, and if you can move her comfortably, you may be able to pull it off successfully. But put her in a pen of her own, do not throw her in with a bunch of your goats, that will butt her. I'd put her in a pen where she can see the others, and give her some special attention until she settles in well.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), April 05, 2002.

Yep, She is tame and friendlly and conditioned to being handled-even her udder. (Please, no wisecracks about this)- I considered lining the back seat of my car with a tarp and bringing her home with me riding with her. I did this one other time with a Nubian I just had to have. She is a real hoot. We lined the car with plastic, my daughter climbed in, called the goat, it hopped in like a dog going for a ride. She looked out the car window all the way home and never even pooped until she was back on the ground. (Can you tell I like goats?) HaHa. I got some strange looks on the way home but...

-- Kathy (kack@mybluelight.com), April 05, 2002.


I agree with jan and rebekah, it might be risky. I'd get a bill of sale and move her later. I bought a doe who was ready to kid in about 6 days. the breeder waited til she did then sold her, she kidded on a Thrusday and I brought her home that saturday. We ahd a 3 hr drive home. She did stress some after from kidding and moving too. I'd give her some of that good ole' snake oil i use Immuno-G a immuno supplement, it helps with stress.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), April 06, 2002.

If they are for sale and you want them buy them and bring them home now. What is the difference if they kid a day or two early. How many of us have does who look like they will have 4 and have 1 big buck? Did the vet do an ultrasound. And...........if you let them stay and they deliver some really nice looking kids, perhaps all does, you think the folks can't change your mind, hand you back your money? I think you car idea is fine, one at a time, the oldest one first since she will stress less once left alone at the farm as you pick up the next one. Get the same hay, the same grain and do it first thing in the morning so they have all day to figure out where they are. I would lock them in the barn at night and have the light on so they can't wander around. I would worm them in a few days, whether they have kidded or not, and not let anyone come visiting them, or have other goats, children or dogs around them so they stay calm. I would continue that for a few days after they kid also, so you have calm milkers, or if you are going to let the kids nurse, calm moms. Good luck! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (Nubians) (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), April 06, 2002.

Since it isn't a long ride I would think it would be okay if you take those extra precautions towards gentleness. I wouldn't even allow the family to gawk at them too much.

I've had to put a goat in the front of my pick up with me! You get some very funny looks at the stop lights. Yes, this was a full grown doe. My vet laughed when I pulled in, too. She was facing backwards with her rear legs on the floor boards and her butt pushed into the dashboard, leash through the window wrapped around the handle of the door. You do what you have to do!!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), April 06, 2002.


well, heres my thoughts, in a car, with a good relaxed drive , think sunday driver.. and bringing a day or two's worth of her current feed, i would move them , if she is "that" close, it might bring on labor, i would move her to a solitary pen , not too close to any other animals, and give her a 15 watt light for at night.

it wont cause a birth unless shes really close anyhow

-- Beth,in ND (famvan@drtel.net), April 06, 2002.


Hi all, I decided to go ahead and get this doe today. The situation is such that if I don't get her someone ellse will because the mans barn is brimming over! Vicki, you brought up something I was already worrying about. If I let her kid there who is to say he won't just keep one of the kids? We don't know how many the one is carrying because she hasn't been ultrasounded. People around here are starting to get into dairy goats now where before there was no interest. An "average" doe that would be good for a home use milker is going for 100.00 now. Better quality as for showing is 200-250 and upwards. Bernice, I don't know this breeder well. I know people who use him a lot and like him. Main problem is he needs to be able to get through his barn!! Thats the main reason for getting her here now. Doreen, at least you put yours in a pickup!! Our truck is parked with the tranny pulled out! Its true about the funny looks.Looks like Beths idea of "Sunday drive" for us. Thank you all for answering questions for me. Now if I can learn how to put pictures on here I'll post a pic of her and kids after delivery.

-- Kathy (kack@mybluelight.com), April 06, 2002.


Good Luck Kathy, sounds fun. I transport goats in the back of our small run around car, a GEO. I can fit two full grown does in there or lots of little ones. :) I have also had calves and sheep in the back. My hiking goat would get excited when the plastic and travel rug went into the car. She never left and nanny berries in the car either. Hope your new goat travels fine and you get some cute kids.

-- shari (smillers@snowcrest.net), April 06, 2002.

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