We have been doing some long, hard thinking about the goats and have made the decision (we think) that perhaps the best way forward is MAYBE to just concentrate on the Boer goats and to give up the idea of getting Pickle into kid. As we get nearer kidding for the Boers, we are aware that the lack of ‘getting on’ between the Boers and the Dairy goats could become more an issue that might impinge on the actual births and/or the subsequent rearing of the kids. At the moment, the goats sleep in the barn at night (separated into their three groups: Boer girls, Pepper and then Pickle and Curds) and then they have free access to the outside during the day. Pickle does have a habit of ‘guarding’ the barn entrance however, and we don’t want a heavily pregnant Onion or Garlic not being allowed back in if they want. As they approach their due dates, we can keep them in the barn permanently but at some stage we will want to allow them and the kids free access again and Pickle’s behaviour at that point is something we are concerned about!!
We have mooted the idea between ourselves about possibly re-homing Pickle. As for Curds, we are sure that we will need to make a decision about her quality of life sooner rather than later, as her joint problems worsen.
We will continue to ponder on this one for a while longer but a seed has been sown for sure!!!