Sometimes I just want to stay in bed.

Our loss total is three Does and six kidds. It seems that they may have had an infection but not being able to spend probably upwards of 1000.00 for a diagnosis I will go with that supposition. It could have been numerous things but one thing is for sure unless it is slow to manifest we should be in the clear. No other Does have shown any signs of illness or early termination of pregnancy.
I take full responsibility for the losses. Although I could blame my children it is I who should have checked that all gates were locked. We feed silage to our cows and have a dump pile of moldy silage for the ducks who are unaffected by it. The duck and turkey pick out the kernels and the rest decomposes.
As people walk through gates some sneaky beasts push gates open and head for the grain shed that is usually open when animal care is happening. The grain shed is definitely locked (to help keep out vermin)when we are not around. Several have started testing gates. When they are ajar they leave (sometimes un-noticed) and forage around the lower yard.

One such incident happened just last week with the cows out and roaming but earlier about two weeks ago it had been the goats. I don't know how long they had been out but obviously it had been long enough to get into trouble. Two Does were inseparable and got into what ever it was together. The second young Doe is a glutton who would have followed or seen any creature who may have found anything worth eating and glommed it for herself. They love silage which is bad for them for just this reason. Although cows may be unaffected it targets the smaller ruminants I suppose. Even the calves eat it without mishap.

The hard ground makes if difficult for the old machine to dig a proper hole but I managed to make one deep enough to contain all our losses, with enough room in case we should acquire some more. I will forever dig a hole in the fall and cover it just in case this happens again.

I am not above saying that the goats may have had hardware disease either but one Doe has very neurological symptoms. It makes me think of others who have passed over the season and makes me realize how much more sensitive goats are from cows and all the other farmyard animals. The Does have nearly chewed through several places on the sheds and I wouldn't doubt that they may have gotten some kind of sharp metal object either. They always seem to find a favorite spot somewhere out of regular checking that goes unnoticed till Spring. Again my fault.

The coming weeks will have us repairing all outdoor sheds for loose boards,nails and screws. One wonders how you depreciate buildings on your tax form? Just visit my place and I will show you just how it happens.