New Kids on the Block

Once again, I have been lax in my new posts. Things have been exciting since the last post--the two pregnant does gave birth, each had a boy. Brie gave birth to Stryker (below in back) and Ginger gave birth to Galan (below, up front). The origin of Stryker came from his striking markings. Galan is the spitting image of his mother in many more ways than one and his name means "sings."



Brie's birth was not necessarily routine. Michelle had to assist and it was more than just pulling on the baby. Once delivered, Brie's mothering instincts kicked in immediately.

Ginger did need some pulling assistance, but her mothering instincts were not to be found after delivering. She is a skittish goat by nature and she just stared and snorted at Galan. We had to wipe him off and hold her so he could nurse. Then she started pawing violently at the ground around him and she continued curling her lips. We thought she was still in labor with another baby since pawing and lip curling is one of a goat's labor signs.

What little did we know then, but do know now. Evidently, her pawing at the ground was a sign that her mothering instincts actually had been triggered. This is a mother's way of trying to get the baby up to nurse. The curling of the lips continues if they are passing the afterbirth.

By evening, she was nursing on her own and has turned out to be a very attentive mother goat.

For anyone reading this and even considering goats, I suggest the following site: http://fiascofarm.com/goats/index.htm. The owners have posted a wealth of goat raising information. And find an experienced goat owner you can get on the phone. Of course, a vet available by phone helps also.

Here is a short clip of the Stryker and Galan playing...in the mineral bucket of course. Not good, but it is too cute not to post.

Goats, Gardening and Guys

You would think since I am in between assignments, I would have time for more posts. Despite my lack of an office job, the chores list on my other jobs around the "farmette" just keeps getting longer and longer.

The goats generally now wake me up. Sean says they are worse than roosters. They stand at the gate and scream until I feed them. From the last time I wrote, we have now observed that 2 of the 3 goats were bred rather than 1. Ginger started getting wider and is developing an udder. I thought it was strange that she did not get bred--she and Odie paraded around like girlfriend and boyfriend at times. If they had hands, they would have strolled around holding them. They both developed a real affinity for each other.

Cocoa on the other hand really did not like Odie. She would push him around sometimes taking aim at his "family jewels." Oh well. She is a bit of a runt so it is probably good that she did not get bred.

Nonetheless, Cocoa is so sweet that Sean now calls her the Love Goat. Here she is lounging in the defunct water trough.

Ginger was sleeping and Brie was lazing while Cocoa enjoyed her sanctuary.

While we are not milking our does yet, I had my first opportunity to milk a Spanish goat in quarantine. Initially it was difficult, but I have to say I eventually managed a rhythm. It takes longer than I thought it would, but we also did not have a milk stand for her either.

The garden is turning out well as we move into hot weather and the winter plantings wither. We tried beets this year thinking we would feed them to the goats. Small wonders though. Sean and I have decided we like beets. I made my first ever batch of beet pickled eggs which were not bad. And last night we tried roasted beets flanked with the greens sauteed in butter with onions, garlic and apple cider vinegar. It was quite good.

I have included pictures we took of our beets and the garden.Outside of the photo we also have potatoes, corn, beans, peppers and tomatoes.

I would say at least 80% of the seeds we planted this year are heirlooms. There is increasing interest in heirlooms and we are part of the growing (pun intended) movement. This year we ordered most our seeds from Baker Creek. If interested take a look at the sight http://rareseeds.com/. It is a fantastic site simply to browse.

In other animal news, there is a new addition to the llama herd. Another boy named Thunder. Here is he with Sean. I hope the goats can give us some girls. All boys so far with the llamas.

What I am Learning

I will never consider myself a rancher because I care too much about my animals. Cocoa, one of my sweet little goats, recently came down with pneumonia. The health decline was quick and dramatic. I worried like a mother and kept watch on her frequently. I am happy to report that she is herself again finally.

Goat cud looks like a tumor and feels like one too. Cocoa started eating normally after her illness and her rumen came back in full force. I walked out one morning shortly after she began to recover and she had a huge jaw. I felt it. It was hard as a rock and I panicked thinking something else was wrong with her. I turned around and looked again...it was smaller. Then a moment later it was gone. It was cud.

Goats are smart. They know when they have a mineral deficiency and to eat baking soda if their stomach is upset. They tend to refuse lush food if they are not feeling well.

Fleece wear and hay do not go well together. Hay and alfalfa stick to any clothing with a rough surface. Also, if you don't shake out the alfalfa before washing, your clothes come out with green highlights.

Don't turn your back to a donkey if you are dishing out grain to another animal and not him. Jasper nipped me on the shoulder recently when trying to get Cocoa to eat. He got a thump on the nose. I still like him though.

Donkeys are also smart...scary smart sometimes. Evidently they can also be petulant children as well. I bet if Jasper could hold his breath to mimic a temper tantrum, he would.

Fat donkeys can run. If only I had a camera when we opened up the new back pasture, I could prove it. He trotted and brayed at the same time. It was a sight to see.

Rare Central Texas Rain Finally Arrives

It is a wet, cold and windy day which makes a good day for a long overdue post. It isn't a hardy rain, but we'll take it. Beggars cannot be choosey as the old saying goes. It was just two years ago that a rainy season officially delivered Texas out of drought and today we are already under dire drought again here in Central Texas. I imagine the garden seedlings, trees, blackberry vines and pasture grass (what is left of it) are doing a celebration dance right about now.

The llamas and goats are huddled in the barn. The cria seen in the last post has been christened Starbuck. He has certainly found his legs. Below he took a note from the goats and climbed on the hay to eat it. You actually have to look carefully to see him because he blends in so well with his mom.





I will soon be cooking which serves two purposes today: nourishment and to heat the cabin. Apple peels will be cold-weather treats for the goats and llamas, I think. Small apple pies will be my cold-weather treat.

New Cria in Town

Khan delivered her baby boy while we were in town. It was a bit of a surprise. She did not have him in the barn as the picture may have you believe. This picture was taken after moving the newborn and mom to the barn. Michelle and Mom Graham are inspecting the little fella along with Khan.

Jasper and Titan take their turn inspecting him. Initially when moving him to the barn, he started to follow Jasper. I suppose everything was a little overwhelming and he got a wee bit confused. All things considered, Jasper did quite well with the newborn. He was curious and perhaps a little too curious for our comfort but I believe his intentions were good. He takes keeping watch on his charges seriously...unless it is feeding time for the goats in which case he has been known to take leave for a spell.

Name coming soon!