| Dear fellow goatfolk, Mike and Sue Samson of Potosi , Missouri lost their maternity barn, colored angora does and new kids last night to a tragic fire (heat lamps). If anyone can understand the emotional devastation from such an event I certainly can (having suffered through a similar event a few years ago). I also know the healing power that the goat community provided with their cards, notes, offers of help, etc. Please take a moment to send Sue and Mike a note to let them know that your thoughts and prayers are with them. I know how much it meant to me to go to the mailbox each day and find a note with a little goat stamp on it , often from someone I didn't even know. It brings tears to my eyes even now. I will be driving down this weekend to lend assistance and provide a home for her 8 remaining goats. I will update you all later. Kathy Barger-Harbert Mike and Sue Samson Route 2, Box 58 Potosi, Mo 63664 573-438-7393 |
| Many of us are at risk if not all of us..
It is devastating and irreparable! Let me ask you this? How many of you have heat lamps out for the newborn babies? How many of you use extension cords to feed the electric in your barn? How many of you smoke in the barn? How many of you have a smoke alarm in the barn? How many of you have a barn that is closed at night to keep the goats warm? How many of you have birthing stalls for moms and babies to bond? How many of you have never thought... "This could happen to me?" Well, like you .. I AM guilty of most of these things! So what should we do about it? What ARE the answers? Kidding in cold weather you have to keep babies warm... Bonding is necessary... No, you should not smoke in the barn...even IF you are careful! I have a VERY few suggestions that I also need to take heed in:
1. Open the barn up so IF a fire should start..there is a way out.
I dont have the answers here.., I'm just trying to make you ALL Aware..It may not be as warm in there but it would be safer ..maybe... 2. Heat lamps are not safe period.. I use them too.. but even if you have them out of the way.. They CAN explode and start a fire. 3. Can you think of a birthing stall situation where the goat CAN get out if need be? I use open kidding, just always have- and have not had a problem with it. 4. Never smoke in the barn! A lit cherry could fall into the hay and ignite hours later! 5. Wire your barn for power instead of using extension cords... This is something I have yet to do. 6. I have a smoke alarm in every barn..BUT I just learned from a friend who had a barn-fire a few years back... Smoke Alarms DO NOT work in temperatures under 32 degrees!... I didn't know that. This is when we all use the heat lamps.. What to do? 7. I bring mama's and babies in the house during really cold weather both for kidding and after, Until I think it's warm enough for babies to adjust to the colder weather.. Not all of you are set up for this.. I don't have a fancy house and I have wood floors that I can mop up. BUT...Maybe you have some room or place Indoors you could use.. ??? For those Extreme cases. It DOES happen.. even to people who are careful and love their goats! It's devastating.. and I have such a heavy heart as I write this page! I have looked at my own goats faces today with such sorrow for those who have lost their goats due to BarnFire. I have tried to imagine what it must have been like... so helpless, so saddened.. so distraught.. If anyone has ANY ideas about how to solve this problem for all of us... Please post them! This site is in particular, dedicated to the losses and family of: Mike and Sue Samson Route 2, Box 58 Potosi, Mo 63664 573-438-7393 Our Prayers and thoughts are with you and We all share your sorrow for the loss of your precious goats! Go To Med-A-Goat911 Back to Goatlady's Goats Go to Goat-Link.com |
