Belle Can't Fly

I was standing in the kitchen sipping tea looking out the back window. The barn is in full view with the forested hill behind it; the goats and Rocky wander around munching and enjoying themselves; goats eating the trees new leaves and Rocky (guard dog) pulling and eating cleavers! I love to watch them. It's peaceful and fulfilling and gets me in tune with my bliss.

Yesterday, as I stood there feeling good about life, taking a garden break, talking on the cell and hearing every fourth word being said, Belle my beautiful sweet little Boar goat was on top the hay stack playing Queen of the World. All of a sudden she fell off, did a flip and landed on her back on the ground. I was stunned as they never, ever fall off that hay.

She lay there unmoving. I yelled something into the phone and headed out the back door, FarmBoy Gary close behind. I kept my eye on her as I ran; no movement. Across the yard. Through the open gate. Across the barn lot. Through the locked gate. Still no movement. My heart raced and I just knew her neck was broken as I could see she lay at an odd angle, her little legs sticking up in the air.

I knelt beside her, no sound, laying perfectly still. I reached for her head calling her name softly. As I raised her head up I realized her little horns were stuck straight down into the ground. She was pinned! As I pulled her head up and her horns out of the ground, she came to life, jumped up, wiggled her tail and nuzzled me for a treat! I examined her head to toe--perfect.

I felt exultant! Not only was she alive, she was not injured. Belle, you silly. You cannot fly.

The Goat Herd

I have been waiting for MILK GOATS for years. My last one was in 1977--that's a long time between goats! I purchased Daisy and her daughter, Button, about two weeks ago. She's a Saanen--a white breed which produces copious amounts of milk. Hilda (my 70's goat) gave over a gallon a day, so I have high hopes for Daisy. She has had a few health problems: parasites, bleeding, iron deficiency, poor coat but I have a good start on getting her healthy. I put her on an involved mineral and herbal protocol and she is showing marked improvement.

Daisy

Daisy is in "training" for milking; she's not too happy about it, but she does love her carrot and apple treats with mollasses! FarmBoy Gary got the milking stanchion just right for her and me so milking time will be a happy time.

Her kid is just adorable. Since she is cute as a button, I thought it an appropriate name.

Button - three weeks old


The other goats weren't too sure about the new additions to the family, but they are adjusting. Although Belle is disgruntled at being replaced as First Queen of the Barn Yard, Willie is delighted to have another female. He has already gotten in trouble for pestering Daisy with his bites on her legs. Cocoa Puff likes having someone her size to romp with. I hope they remain friends when Button outgrows her two or three times over!

Willie is a black Nigerian whether (neutered) and Cocoa Puff (short and brown) is a Pygmie

Belle is a Boar goat and has the sweetest personality ever.

I have several breeds so my goat classes will have a nice variety.

I am so excited to have started my milking "herd" and have only tasted one squirt but it was delicious!

Fences and Roots

I hate, hate, hate to see animals penned up, cooped up or otherwise crammed into small spaces. I like them to be able to free range as much as possible. In the wild west, I would have been one of those fighting for no fences!

When we brought our goats home we separated and isolated them for a while until we managed the parasite situation. Then I moved them into the new barn and holding pen along with their guard, Rocky, and kept them there for a day. Then, I tested the new electric fence, held my breath and opened the gate. They love it. LOVE IT. There is lush pasture, thick brush, hanging limbs still filled with leaves. Goat heaven. I was afraid they might head for the hills, literally, as there is a LOT of land on the OTHER side of the fence. But, they graze and browse for awhile, then they always come back to the barn and holding pen to relax and hang out. The "browsing" ...eating tree leaves and brush adds so much to their natural diet and contributes to their over-all health.

In the evening, when they hear me calling the chickens in, they come flying into their pen for supper, Belle's bell clanging in the cold air. I lock them in the holding pen at night for safety. We have coyotes running out our ears and a couple of bobcats for good measure. Cougars, too. They nestle in their straw bed in the barn. I couldn't be happier with the fence. It only took a couple of little zaps for the goats and Rocky to learn to keep away from it. I test it every morning before I let them out to make sure it's working. One day a sycamore branch had blown across it but that was an easy fix. Now my beauties can roam to their little goat-hearts content.

Rocky (Anatolian puppy) is learning not to chase and nip at the goats hind legs. He has a log and chain attached to his collar for an anchor. It sounds awful, but it slows him down just enough that he tires easily and gives up the chase. We are on day four. The man where we bought him suggested this treatment. Rocky's mother also had the idea to chase and bite the goats and this remedy worked like a charm.

Tomorrow is HERB CLASS. The Herbalist is in....the field. Come on out and we'll DIG herbs! Increase your knowledge of herbalism. You can take the herbs you dig home and we will also make a remedy in class. FIRST FROST HERB CLASS. Tuesday 11-1 10 am to noon. $20