That Time of Year; Again
Spring has sprung, Easter has passed, and we are on our way to working outdoors in the yard, gardening, and on the farm. We are close to the close of our birthing season for the year; we have 4 more cows and a couple of 2 yr. old heifers to have calves and we have 2 more goats (Boar) to have little ones; I have 10 already. And if that weren’t enough, we have 33 baby chicks. Combining all of them together, I have 52 new baby animals. It sure keeps me busy.
With the re-birth of Spring and all the new babies, it keeps a person busy making sure all of them are eating well and the mamas are keeping them well fed. From experience, I have learned that is pays to keep a close eye on them for the first couple of weeks to make sure they are staying healthy.
Things to look for is coughing, discharge, fever, being inactive, and loss of appetite. Once they are feeling better, their health should improve. It is not to say that you may need to talk to a veterinary and get some medications in case they do become ill. Even though, we sometimes feel like we know how to treat them and what to give, we are not necessarily always right in our diagnosis. If in question about anything, always check with the professionals.
I am talking from experience, since last year I lost 9 baby goats before I found out the real problem and began treating it. I knew nothing about Coccidiosis and learned the hard way, what it was and what to do about it.
One issue, I am having this year is the nannies are having their babies and a week to two later, they are expelling discharge and bleeding. It has been an issue with everyone of them. So, I went to the vet and he suggested a long lasting penicillin. Then you watch them for 3 days and if it doesn’t seem to have an effect, give another dose and then talk 
to the vet if not better within two weeks.
Always keep their bedding dry and keep them out of the rain to avoid foot rot. Once you get it on you farm, it is hard to get rid of. Take care of your babies and Good Luck.
Pictured here is Beauty and her triplets born on March 26, 2011, Jack, Junior and Jada. Just minutes after their birth.