Sold Stitch and Apollo

Apollo, day one.

Lilo's daughter Stitch, and her son Apollo have gone to a new home.  Sometimes with herd management, you have to make decisions based on the big picture and not on the individual animal.  This was one of those times.

Stitch was a first time mommy this spring.  Because of that, I cut her some slack when she abandoned Mary.  But a few other factors made me decide to get rid of her.

First, Stitch is a meat goat.  She serves a single purpose when alive - to create more meat goats.  In contrast, my milking does create meat babies AND milk.  Dual purpose is better.

Second, when Stitch came into milk, it was apparent that her teats were positioned such that she had to move her leg to allow her babies to nurse.  This isn't awful, but it makes it harder for the babies.  There is no reason to keep a doe that has this challenge when there are lots to take her place.

Third, Stitch hasn't been the most attentive mom.  Sure, she's a teenager and most teen moms are not very doting, but some are.  And if I'm going to keep a single purpose doe, she's going to need to be a great mom.

Fourth, and this was only because of the first three, she abandoned her baby.  Now, this may be because it was her first kidding.  She may go on to have twins and never leave their side.  But it's not worth the risk...again because she is single purpose.

So, Stitch and Apollo have gone off to a nice family farm where little kids will get to enjoy them.  Farewell, you two.