Daily Vet Goat love part deux: On the pimping out of Tulip
I promised I would keep you updated on the reproductive antics of my goats and I don’t intend to disappoint. With this post, I offer you yet another voyeuristic glimpse into the sex life of our common agriculture species.
But this time it’s not all about speculums, pipettes, cold storage tanks and frozen sperm. Nope. This time, ladies and gentlemen, it’s about the birds and the bees and the kind of porn you’ll never see in the sleazy section of a magazine rack.
That’s because I proved a disaster with respect to my artificial insemination gambit. In the absence of a buck (a male goat), I was unable to time the cycle of my doe adequately. Because to me, Tulip looks like she’s in heat all the time: playful, rambunctious, solicitous and tail perpetually a-twitter like a windshield wiper on overdrive. So what was I supposed to do? Inseminate her daily?
Newbie goat person that I am, I decided to pull out the big guns and go a-searching for a boy. I posted a decidedly humble message on the NubianTalk forum (Tulip is a Nubian goat) and researched goat keepers in my half of the state.
What I sought: Someone who shows goats and milks ‘em. A farm that seemed as if goat health and happiness was more important than any caprine’s pretty perfection. A buck with basically good genetics and high “dairyness” scores. (Goats get rated on all kinds of issues, their ability to produce copious quantities of high quality, wholesome milk being only one of them.)
But basically, I was looking for a goat person with whom I “clicked.”
After only a couple of email back-and-forths (and, I confess, after adoring her website), it was clear that Jojo’s setup fit the bill. Because it wasn’t so much about the buck at this point, you see. It was more about who would be caring for my Tulip over the next 7 to 21 days.
So I submitted Tulip’s blood sample for disease testing (CAE) and waited a week for its return. (CAE-free status is essential to ensure a healthy herd devoid of this devastating, arthritic-encephalitic disease.) In the meantime, I bought a doggie-divider rack for my small SUV and set up the back for maximum caprine comfort.
Yesterday was the big day. We traveled 2 hours to West Palm Beach with Tulip in the back. The boyfriend drove (what a good guy, he even missed the Dolphin game for the event), I sat in the back seat and Tulip protested quietly in the cargo space. (Poor thing.)
When we finally arrived, Jojo must have thought we were lost city folk, what with the 2004 Lexus RX 300 and the look of bemused, too-clean-for-goat-folk curiosity about us.
Camera dangling from my wrist and Tulip (complete with Coach collar) putting on the brakes, Jojo took her firmly in hand and led her inside the gate to her property. (I swear, I must have seemed the worst kind of caprine dilettante.)
That’s when I was informed of my does prettiness...and excess of condition. Translation: too fat. Ouch! You should have seen my face fall.
For all I do to promote leanness and trimness in our dogs and cats, this direct declaration hit home. Worst of all, I’d been following directions for what others thought I was supposed to be doing: fattening her up in advance of a load of babies. Too bad, as Jojo explained in merciless tones, that would mean more babies and more risk.
Properly chastised at the outset, we trundled on over to the goat enclosure. A pair of male turkeys (inexplicably inseparable)...
...a cluster of Peking ducks, chicken strewn about, a pony, a horse and a pot-bellied pig complemented the near double-handful of Nubian goats. All immaculately maintained and properly socialized.
That’s when Tulip first laid dewy, frightened eyes on Noble, her impressive intended.
Feigning disinterest at first, she eventually warmed up to him, turning her tail in his direction with a decidedly flirtatious flick while demurely looking her shoulder to gauge his reaction. That’s when she squatted and urinated for him. It was goat love. Or goat sex, rather, so as not to put too anthropomorphic a spin on the rutty-slash-estric behavior in evidence.
As receptive as she seemed across the fence line, she wouldn’t stand for him when they were finally penned in together. He has no finesse explained Jojo. No matter, considering her attraction for his smelly, bullying, thoroughly unpolished presence. A few days should do it.
Usually, does stand for mating on the third day of heat and, fortunately, today looked like the first to me. But then, what do I know, needing to drive two hours as I did to make sure someone far more experienced than myself took on the gritty, goat sex detail.
Next up, the trip back and more stories on the ultrasound, burgeoning belly and all that scary, pregnancy jazz. The nanny-cam will be set up for your amusement and to soothe what I expect will be my fractured nerves during the impending kidding. But who knows? Maybe one day I’ll be doing this myself with my own buck. Or maybe I’ll get better at timing heat cycles so I can get the artificial insemination down. It all remains to be seen...so stay tuned.
October 26th, 2009
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Add Comment18 Comments
"Translation: too fat. Ouch!" I feel your pain :) Great post. I'll be smiling all day despite the rain here!
PJBoosinger October 26th, 2009 09:29:11 AM
When we AI'd my mare, there was a lot of ultrasound checking follicle development beforehand to determine timing (she doesn't show heat) and also injections (lutalyse, IIRC) upon arrival of the cooled sperm to make sure that she ovulated in time.
She also conceived twins, and the vet pinched one; twin pregnancy is exceptionally bad in horses, for any who aren't aware.
Can either of those be used in goaties? Ultrasound might help in future years, to make it so you don't have to take Tulip away (leaving your other goatie sad and alone, and worrying about Tulip's care in her absence). And if too many goatlings make for a dangerous pregnancy, then can you pinch one or two?
Galadriel October 26th, 2009 09:36:03 AM
Growing up, we had 3 Toggenburg goats. As I was allergic to cow's milk, my parents decided our little 10 acres needed goats instead. So entered Primula, Calendula & Mahogany. Prim was a mean girl, loved to stand on toes and then put all her weight on the foot. Cally, basically sweet but not much for interaction, stayed in the background. Mahogany was my girl, a beautiful, shiny & sleek, deep rich brown with her white markings standing in contrast. She had the softest whipples, and I spent many an hour stroking those and scratching her head.
Watching the miracle of birth every year never grew old. My brother & I would take turns racing down the hill to report to Mom every development, so when the moment was imminent she would arrive to perform midwifery duties. Eventually, we took over the duties bit by bit. Every single kid was a male, however, which back then meant a quick dispatch with my Dad's rifle.
The pain of losing them fades in comparison to the wonder & amazement of watching the birth process.
I can also remember the first time I stood up to an adult, when invited over to dinner on one of those freshly departed kids, I phoned the hostess & under the coaxing my Mom, explained that I could not attend dinner because I believed eating our babies was wrong. But I sent along an offering of my mint jelly so she wouldn't be offended!
BCBev October 26th, 2009 09:46:21 AM
Galadriel: Great question. Ovarian ultrasounding isn't done as a matter of course in does, but it might help. I'll look into it.
We will be ultrasounding for preg checks so I know whether or not I have to take Tulip back. Luckily, Noble has so far gotten all his does preggers on the first go-round.
Yes, and I feel worse for Poppy, all alone as she is. But never fear, if I have to pimp Tulip out again, Poppy will have one of Tulip's babies to keep her more comfy. That is, if she produces a baby girl. A boy? I'll probably sell the baby boys (or give them away) to a worthy soul or two.
Here's hoping I get some girls out of her.
Dr. Patty Khuly October 26th, 2009 09:46:42 AM
Ah, sex of dairy offspring...that's the main reason we don't have a cow. Considering I drink about 4 gallons of milk a week, a cow would be a pretty good investment. But oh, boy, are we suckers...and the "life" of a dairy bull calf is not a prospect we can handle, not if it were born to an animal of ours. So we'd end up acquiring another pet. And given Murphy's Law, all we'd have would be bulls, we're certain. We'd increase our herd by one or possibly two every year: more pets to feed without any more production.
Fingers crossed Tulip produces all girls: a nice, normal, healthy number of girls :) (Incidentally, research in horses seems to show that the heavier a mare is, the more likely she'll produce a colt. I wonder if there's anything like that in other livestock?)
Galadriel October 26th, 2009 10:22:45 AM
Galadriel, are you the lovely trainer up in N. Florida i met years ago, when i needed help with my TB mare? You came and met me in Alltoona? if so, small world!!
Patty, upon better look see and now her being here for a day, i think it was a good thing she's a tad on the beefy side. She is only nibbling and noshing on grain this morning, and ate nothing at dinner.... She'll need that extra "cover" to compensate her not wanting to be here, and she's been telling me this all morning as i pop my head out to check on my elite guest. She really is quite lovely. And i have a feeling her lines are close to one of my girls, as i hear her distinctive maaaing that only one of my others have. Its indicative of that line of Nubian. Almost like a fog horn! It's such a lovely sound!
It's called "Flushing" a goat when you fatten them up a month or two prior to breeding. Alot of meat goat breeders do this, as their goal is more meat on the ground... Here on my small farm i want only 2 babies. 3 ok. 4 ugh! So there is a benefit sometimes for some to flush their goats. I did learn something new though, it works more for first fresheners then older ones. Interesting tidbit. And you want 1st fresheners to birth more than one kid the first time out as its more likely they will do so in future breedings. 1 baby is just as dangerous (too big) as 4 or 5 are...
I very much enjoyed the "citified" tulip coming in with her Coach collar and matching lead line while jumping out of a pristine SUV. It was refreshing and kind of made me homesick for Miami! And i enjoyed meeting you both! I chuckled at the thought of the smell of your SUV on the ride home. If poppy is a tad lonely she can come visiting too.
Check out biotracking.com they offer a blood test now for the goats. And its supposedly extremely accurate at 21 days.
Thank you for the shout out. And the kind words. I do really love how everyone gets along so well too on my little farm. Yes! care and concern much more important than all the other stuff. BUT, Noble comes from a long line of extremely dairy girls, you will possibly have to start your own dairy!
Check your email as i will take pics as the day goes on and send them to you!
jojo
jojo October 26th, 2009 10:24:45 AM
Look at that girl, go. Seems like she likes him. She certainly tolerates him. This was last night.
Dr. Patty Khuly October 26th, 2009 01:38:54 PM
Aw, LUV at first sniff!
PJBoosinger October 26th, 2009 03:16:57 PM
If BF really loved you, wouldn't he have put the goat girl in HIS car? :-D
He knows I tease him.
Gina Spadafori October 26th, 2009 06:07:37 PM
In a fancy, tricked out Beemer? I don't think so. As it is, he remembers the first trip to pick up Tulip too vividly. She bleated like a stuck pig the whole way. That's why he demanded I buy one of those SERIOUS doggie dividers before he would deign to accompany me.
Truth be told, he had a point. She could have gone ballistic. But she didn't. And she only peed once the whole way. Pretty good, I think. Not as smelly as Jojo assumed. But then, she's used to Buck urine (which I kinda like, strange bird that I am).
Dr. Patty Khuly October 26th, 2009 06:45:21 PM
Gina: btw, too bad you won't get to meet Tulip when you come visit this weekend. She's so sociable and funny. But then, who knows? I may be picking her up Friday morning and she'll be in the back when I stop off to pick you up at the airport. Wouldn't that be fun timing??
Dr. Patty Khuly October 26th, 2009 06:47:25 PM
You couldn't find anyone willing to lend you a crappy truck to drive the goat? I have an RX.. and have issues with paw prints on the seats, and if I'm babysitting a doodle.. major nose prints on the windows..
One day.. when I go down there to hang out with my sister.. (in Boca).. I have to check out your farm.. I have to go to Miami to the design center, anyway.. It really sounds like you're running a funny farm.. It's nice that you have animals that belong on one.. I felt like I was in the funny farm, and I don't think they were animals..
Good luck
Barri October 26th, 2009 08:00:07 PM
I love that we will get to share in Tulip's pregnacy; it's so exciting!
Donna October 26th, 2009 08:08:49 PM
Now I will be horribly disappointed if there is NOT a goat in the car when you pick me up at the airport. :)
Gina Spadafori October 26th, 2009 08:17:31 PM
I feel stupid here, but you can't tell peak (approximation) based on a slide?
Any ovulation (progesterone) blood tests?
In person is better than frozen, chilled, anyways--too many factors for failure.
Tulip may not want to come home--how is Poppy taking the lost company?
Barb A./NH October 26th, 2009 11:03:42 PM
Barb: I feel stupid here, too. Progesterone levels and vaginal smears are great for canine reproduction but ruminants are totally different in this respect. I wish I could do a blood test––she's an easy blood draw. And Poppy's doing better than expected. I'm babying her by sitting out with her and spoiling her by letting her on my back porch.
Barri: Yeah, it's five years old but it's still a luxury car. Considering I bought it to haul goats, feed, hay and dead dogs in, I don't exactly have any qualms about pawprints on the windows, though.
Dr. Patty Khuly October 27th, 2009 05:36:35 AM
Dr, K, Living vicariously through your posts, here's hoping Tulip has 2 tri-colored (if that's possible) doe beauties, an easy pregnancy & birth!
Just the thought of homemade goats cheese and goat's milk soap is heavenly, in my mind.
Barb A./NH October 27th, 2009 07:15:33 AM
Hey, Jojo, small world indeed!
Sadly, no training for me anymore. They operated on my back, but it never improved enough. Almost doesn't matter anymore, though, since my body has decided to fall apart in three other ways anyway.
Sounds like things are good for you :) Got a nice little buck, apparently, and (we already knew THIS) your animal care is enough to really impress a vet. Good stuff.
Galadriel October 27th, 2009 10:31:26 AM
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