Each year presents a new issue and a new learning opportunity. This year is no different. Although we have had a relatively calm and uneventful baby season, we realize we have much to learn. Thankfully, the issues that we are facing are not life-threatening. However, they affect the overall herd health and must be dealt with quickly. It will take time, diligence, and care, but I am hopeful all will be well.
My herd has mites. Writing this makes my skin crawl. My girls have never had mites before, and I am disheartened that they are dealing with this now. I'm unsure of how this happened, where they came from, or the root cause, but it is quite obvious something isn't right. My black does appear to be affected most. Lily and Little Black have dandruff and bald spots; their coats lack shine and luster. I am sure if one has it, they all do. We treated them with a dusting powder to kill lice and mites. However, the girls need a good bath and some serious TLC. I don't feel comfortable bathing them until we have several days of 70+ degree weather. It won't do them any good to catch a chill. So, until the weather warms up above average and dries out, we can't bathe them.
Aside from bathing them, the barn must also be treated. We can't get the skid steer in to clean the barn when the ground is saturated, and we will create more of a mess than benefit them. I am anxious to get this done so they can feel better and begin recovering. Unfortunately, bathing the girls is no longer a one-person job. There are just too many of them. The Bean and I will spend several days bringing the girls out two by two, tying them to the Ranger parked on the driveway, and bathing them with warm water from the garage. I have researched, and a hot lime sulfur bath is the recommended remedy for treating lice and mites. I will also give the girls a haircut and do a sugar scrub on their udders while I bathe them. The sugar scrub helps keep their udders soft and supple. After nursing multiple kids, their udders need some gentle care.
Although mites are not ideal, they are readily treatable. The more concerning issue at hand is Boo's baby, Iris, aka Baby Boo. Baby Boo will be the last kid produced by my sweet girl Boo. I am so happy she is a doeling. However, Baby Boo has bowed front legs. From what I can decipher from my goat forums, Baby Boo suffers from Ricketts. This is also a common and treatable condition with selenium supplements, cod liver oil, and vitamins E, A, and D. I went to the pharmacy and our local farm supply store and purchased everything I needed to treat her. The Bibbed Wonder gave her her first treatment last night. From what I have read, this should clear up in a few weeks to a few months. Iris is the sweetest little girl. She is calm, docile, and intelligent, like her mother and grandmother. She is also the biggest love bug. Although her little legs are bowed, she is growing and thriving with the other kids. Right now, she is working on her bounce. I am confident she will make a full recovery.
The most upsetting situation is my girl, Red. Many of you may know that Red is my favorite goat. She is so sweet, intelligent, and loveable. I adore this girl. My friend Jenna, who went to Penn State for Animal Science, sat me down a few weeks ago and talked to me about Red's condition. Red is a senior girl and suffers from arthritis. Thankfully, she does not suffer from CAE, which is a horrible disease that is highly contagious. Red suffers from arthritis due to old age. My girl's hips are what troubles her most. I know she has difficulty getting up, especially when the weather is cold or rainy. However, I don't believe she has a poor quality of life...yet. Jenna told me that she doesn't think another winter will be good for Red, and I need to begin coming to terms with the fact that I may need to make a tough decision this fall. Losing my girl is not something I want to think about. However, I am committed to giving my girls the best life possible. If Jenna believes this to be true, I trust her.
I will talk to our vet about our options when we have our annual herd check. If I can give Red supplements to improve her mobility, medication for inflammation, and keep her comfortable, I will. However, if our vet says he agrees with Jenna, I will make arrangements with him to let my girl go peacefully while I am by her side. I sit with Red in the pasture on sunny days. Often, she lays her head on my lap and naps while I stroke her sides and scratch her ears. I want my girl to pass quietly, surrounded by her herd and the person who loves her. Losing my friend will be devastating, but I will do what is best for her. However, it will break my heart. Just like Scarlett O'Hara, I will not think about this today.
Most farmers don't offer their animals a quiet, calm, peaceful passing. When an animal ages out of production, it is sent to auction or slaughter. Even if an animal is sick or suffering, they are sent away to gain as much profit as possible from that living soul. I can't conform to this mentality. My girls are the reason our family is together, doing what we love in the place we love. They deserve respect, love, and gratitude. My dairy goats will always have a soft place to land, get the absolute best care, and never have to be frightened or stressed. It's the least I can do for the beings who have given us so much.
That is what is happening on the farm. We are busy preparing for our annual spring event. I am praying we have good weather and a good turnout. It is a lot of pressure to invite our friends to our farm. I hate the idea of wasting anyone's time. I know many of my friends drive an hour or more to join us, go above and beyond to be here, and make their lives more difficult by being here. However, they show up for me, and for that, I am grateful. So many variables are beyond my control, like the weather, attendance, and sales. I trust our soap family will come out to support these wonderful small businesses, but it is a worry. Please join us for food, fun, and supporting local handmade businesses on May 4th from 9-1 at 493 Tonkin Road, Indiana, Pa. We look forward to seeing everyone.
On this rainy spring day, stay safe, be smart, send out some good vibes for our farm family, join us on May 4th, and keep washing your hands.