I wish I was talking about cows. Well, maybe Glory Bee is bred. She hasn’t gone into heat. But! I’m talking about goats now!
We were doing goat hooves last night in the barn, me and my hired men, and checking their udders to see who was bred. They’re all bred except Lizzie, the little short-eared Boer.
Chloe, giving Lizzie a hug.
Pat, pat, you were just too little this time, Lizzie.
With the switching around and rebuilding I’ve done with my goat herd, it’s been two years since I’ve had babies. I’m excited! These will all be straight Boers except for Maia, who will have Fainter-Boer crosses.
Mama Maia!
Maia will be delivering first. I think it will be sometime later this month or early March. I had the Boer girls shut up in the barn quite a bit last fall. They will be delivering maybe a month after Maia. It will be good weather for goat babies, by then. I hope!
Meanwhile, the cows….
….see them in the background here….are still doing NOTHING.
Sandra-Holder says:
The first picture brings back wonderful memories. I use to raise Nubian dairy goats :sun: :sun: , if i had more land I would do it again in a heartbeat! I admire your life work and your stamina in animal husbandry, it is one of life’s most rewarding journey and greatest teacher about life.
On February 10, 2015 at 11:25 am
bbkrehmeyer says:
Those cows are fooling you. They do their riding at night so you humans can’t see them. Then they sleep all day,as do all party animals… Hehe
On February 10, 2015 at 11:33 am
Joell says:
:happyflower:
How exciting! Can’t wait to see to new babies, hopfully the cows will get the idea, there will be talk in the barn yard about the new expected arrivals, maybe the cows will get jealous and get mooving!
On February 10, 2015 at 11:35 am
denisestone says:
Suzanne,
How do you use “checking the udders” to see if they are bred or not. My doe had babies last year and was milked on a regular basis (she is dry now), but I’m not sure what to be looking for to confirm that she is bred. I was told she was but she is almost 3 1/2 months along and not very fat (a good thing), so how do I know for sure? Xray?
Denise
On February 10, 2015 at 12:37 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Denise, just feeling their sacks, see if they’re starting to fill up.
On February 10, 2015 at 1:41 pm
joykenn says:
So will you be milking them and exploring goat milk cheese?(YUMM,YUMM.) I know your plans seem to hinge on having lots of fresh cows milk for your workshops and personal use. Where do the goats fit into the plan for your farm?
By the way, I LOVE seeing baby chicks grow up. I’ve missed your focus on chickens in the last few years.
On February 10, 2015 at 8:36 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
I’m getting new chicks this spring! No, I don’t plan to milk the goats, though I’ve milked goats in the past! I have plenty of milk with Glory Bee.
On February 11, 2015 at 6:39 am
jan n tn says:
Feb 28 of last year,’the good,the bad,and the beautiful’ said “I won’t let Maia breed to a Boer”. :no: guess she had ideas of her own and didn’t want to be left out of the attention. Granted you probably took as many precautions as you could, but Mother Nature is a powerful force…we all try to plan thing out, then life happens :hissyfit:
On February 11, 2015 at 9:58 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
I changed my mind, discussed it with a few people who’d crossed Boers to other breeds, and decided it would be all right. I change my mind often about things!
On February 12, 2015 at 5:44 am
jan n tn says:
I TOTALLY relate to mind change! And so looking forward to many babies on the farm. Now,if you can just get the cows in on the action. :shimmy:
On February 12, 2015 at 10:03 am