After I posted an update yesterday on the Farmers for the Future social network, Alpaca Farm Girl recommended another new media network: CattleGrower.com.
You’d think from the name that the site is for cattle ranchers. But it’s more general than that. The site provides ways for all livestock farmers to connect.
The think I like most about social networks, and the Internet community in general, is how willing folks are to mentor and be helpful.
I was checking out the latest forum posts on CattleGrower and one young Pennsylvania Farmgirl had a question about a ewe which had given birth, but not fully passed the placenta. There were loads of suggestions and words of encouragement.
My favorite answer was this one: “I know this sounds gross but are you 100% sure she didn’t eat it. I have a couple that have done it before I got out there to remove it. It is just a thought.”
Ewe is right. Clearly, I’m not ready for livestock management.
I didn’t see that the Pa. Farmgirl heeded any of the advice, other than to keep administering antibiotics. But there seemed to be an appreciation for the support when she posted again that the ewe passed the placenta and was fine a few days later.
What a great site. Alpaca Farmgirl says she’s on the site more than Facebook. Good to hear that there are resources like these developing for the small ag community.
“Ewe Looking at Me” photo from Jules’s Flicker photostream.
Virtual Farmgirl 
Humans too can, do, may eat their placentas. I am sure you know people that have eaten theirs (even if you don’t know it). It is supposed to taste like liver. Never did it with either of mine, but did contemplate it. Doesn’t sound too gross to me. Might have if hubby would have cooked it, being too tired after the event and all. Many people who home birth will bury their placentas for a tree or such (be sure to let the thing cool down for a season -in the ground, before you plant the tree atop or it will burn and kill the tree!)
LikeLike
I just have to ask: why in the world would a human eat their placenta?A few of our livestock guard dogs would eat them if allowed. The purpose is to ward off predators who might pick up the scent of the placenta and try to get in to eat it or the new baby. It is instinctive to them, part of their job as guards.Virtual FG – I bet you had no idea telling people about CattleGrower would lead to this conversation. lol!
LikeLike
Humans too can, do, may eat their placentas. I am sure you know people that have eaten theirs (even if you don’t know it). It is supposed to taste like liver. Never did it with either of mine, but did contemplate it. Doesn’t sound too gross to me. Might have if hubby would have cooked it, being too tired after the event and all. Many people who home birth will bury their placentas for a tree or such (be sure to let the thing cool down for a season -in the ground, before you plant the tree atop or it will burn and kill the tree!)
LikeLike
I just have to ask: why in the world would a human eat their placenta?A few of our livestock guard dogs would eat them if allowed. The purpose is to ward off predators who might pick up the scent of the placenta and try to get in to eat it or the new baby. It is instinctive to them, part of their job as guards.Virtual FG – I bet you had no idea telling people about CattleGrower would lead to this conversation. lol!
LikeLike