We finally took the plunge and got our goats. Actually, we got ONE goat last weekend. The mother of one of my nurses raises goats and had one for sale. She's a two-year-old black Sable Saanen. She's very gentle and a good milk producer - if you know what you're doing, anyway.
I had my clinic staff out to the house for a BBQ dinner last Saturday and the nurse and her husband brought the goat with them. So, after dinner, I treated everyone to after dinner entertainment as I was given my first lesson in goat milking. Josh got his first lesson as well. From the response I heard from the other side of the fence, it must have been quite entertaining indeed.
We named our new goat Sally. (She's resting her beard on my knee in the photo to the right.) She quickly found her way around the little pen and within a few minutes seemed to be right at home, happily munching away on grasses, blackberry bushes, and other plants growing in her pen. Happily, that is, until we left the pen. The poor thing has been used to being part of a herd. Now, she suddenly found herself all alone in a strange new world. She started crying pretty much nonstop unless one of us was in the pen with her.
It was pretty clear that she needed a companion. Josh and I debated for a day or so about what we should do. A Sable Saanen can give as much as a gallon of milk a day. Since there's just the two of us, we didn't really think we needed another goat. We thought about moving a few of the chickens into her pen, but weren't sure if they would be adequate company for her. Ultimately, the same lady who provided us with Sally said that she had a two-month-old Norwegian Pygmy who she wanted to sell. That seemed like the right fit for us. She won't be milk-producing until next year (after having her own kid), and is small enough that she won't require a lot of extra feed.
Meet Martha. (She's the little bitty one in the top of the photo to the left.) Isn't she adorable! As soon as I released her into the pen, Sally seemed happier. Her crying has stopped and while she is quick to make sure that Martha doesn't try to milk, they are seldom more than a few feet apart. Martha is a typical young goat: jumping and playing all the time. Just as cute as cute comes.
As to milking, Josh and I are getting better at it. And I'm certainly enjoying all the tasty milk! (Josh hasn't tried it yet, the big chicken.)
Slowly but surely, we're working to end our dependence on the industrial economy. Now I just have to start thinking about getting that well put in.
We Have Goats! - May 11, 12
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We finally took the plunge and got our goats. Actually, we got ONE goat last weekend. The . . . There's more
A Warming World - Apr 01, 12
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Making Changes - Mar 18, 12
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Spring Fever? - Mar 04, 12
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Happy New Year?? - Dec 31, 11
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Up Next: Goats! - Nov 17, 11
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The Chickens Have Arrived! - Oct 27, 11
Finally!
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It's Collapse Time! - Sep 11, 11
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Interview - Sep 04, 11
I was interviewed recently by New Zealand public radio concerning Barter Clinic and Barter Village. Here's the link:
http://www.radionz.co.nz . . . There's more
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Some Really Pointless Advice - Aug 04, 11
Daily, I scan hundreds of articles from sources all over the world. It helps me to stay informed about current . . . There's more
Should the U.S. Default or Not? - Jul 27, 11
As I write this, there are about five days left before the United States defaults on its financial obligations. According . . . There's more
Looking for Solutions - Jul 22, 11
Since becoming aware of peak oil and the implications of this phenomenon on the other problems already facing our rapidly . . . There's more
Update on Food Preparations - Jun 28, 11
Okay, I know I've been remiss in posting lately. But, I've been busy in the garden! :-)
A few months ago . . . There's more
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We named our new goat Sally. (She's resting her beard on my knee in the photo to the right.) She quickly found her way around the little pen and within a few minutes seemed to be right at home, happily munching away on grasses, blackberry bushes, and other plants growing in her pen. Happily, that is, until we left the pen. The poor thing has been used to being part of a herd. Now, she suddenly found herself all alone in a strange new world. She started crying pretty much nonstop unless one of us was in the pen with her.
Meet Martha. (She's the little bitty one in the top of the photo to the left.) Isn't she adorable! As soon as I released her into the pen, Sally seemed happier. Her crying has stopped and while she is quick to make sure that Martha doesn't try to milk, they are seldom more than a few feet apart. Martha is a typical young goat: jumping and playing all the time. Just as cute as cute comes.
