After Breeding

So I’m trying to figure out what to do with everyone after breeding.  Typically, I would just put everyone back where they were.  That was Gabe and Donkey in the north paddock, Wanda and Antigone in and out of the Morton building with Ava and Dee, and the two little boys in the buck room.  Everyone else was in the main barnyard and pasture.  But I can’t do that.

Maybeline and Moonshine (Pretzel is in the pen)

The in and out of the Morton building wasn’t really working with Antigone.  She really needs to keep her feet dry.  I can tell they are doing better since she’s just been shut in.  In the past, I’ve just left her with a buck.  She was bred and so it was all good as long as it was a nice buck who wouldn’t pick on her.

Antigone and Kong

Gabe would fit that description.

Gabe in the buck room

And I can’t put him back with Donkey.  He still doesn’t have fur and he’s lost some weight because he spends more energy just trying to stay warm than I can get in him.  The heat lamp helps, and I can close the door in the buck room.

Gabe (Joy in the door) and Daisy

In addition to Gabe’s special needs, Donkey is fine with me, but he gets really pushy about food.  Gabe can’t expend any extra energy fighting for food.  And Donkey is pushy enough with food that as soon as he breeds Pretzel, she’s coming out.  because I don’t want her to get hurt.

Pretzel says she outta here (Donkey behind)

So Gabe will have to stay in the buck room.

Gabe likes his buck room (Daisy behind) and nice roommates

But I can’t put Wanda in there with him.  She is to be nowhere near a buck

Wanda

I think the best thing is to leave Wanda and Antigone in the Morton building together.  But I still have to do something with the little boys.

Kong in front of Antigone

I’m sure they would be fine with Gabe in the buck room.  He won’t hurt them.  They can get plenty to eat.  That would be good.

Greg

But that leaves Donkey.  I really hate to leave any goat alone.  They are herd animals.

Donkey eating hay

We’ll see what I do with him, but I have warned Pluto that he better not be picking on my girls or he might be the lucky one to become Donkey’s roommate.

Pluto

He doesn’t seem too worried about that.