The Goat Crew, Fall 2012
We picked up three more does a week or two back to complete our (re-)starter herd. Here’s the as-yet unbred herd as we head into fall. All will be bred later this fall.
This is Susie, one of the new does. She’s definitely not a snuggler but she’s trained to the milk stand and a proven milker & mother a couple of times already.
This is one of Susie’s daughters, Maisy, born in December of 2010. She has kidded once so far and is also trained to the milk stand. She’s also a bossy hog so I’m trying to teach her some patience.
This is Missy, another daughter of Susie’s, born in December 2011. She’ll be a first freshener come spring.
And we have the younger three you’ve already seen, Gidget (born April 2012) and ShowTime (born March 2012), both doelings.
And Patrick, the human-crazy wether, born March 2012.
This weekend, we set up individual feeding stations. It’s going to take some time (and patience!) to train them to the system.
Once everyone grows accustomed to the routine, it will not only ensure that the younger goats get their fair share of feed, it will also allow us to observe & interact with them individually even when not on the milk stand daily and dole out individual doses of things, such as herbal wormers, etc. (Best laid plans, right?)
So that’s the line up for this fall. Only ShowTime, Gidget, and Patrick are registered, although all are Kinders. The papered gals will be the basis of our herd through the years while the unpapered gals will just serve as backyard milkers. We’ll be taking the five gals on a ride for hot dates probably in October or November and, with any luck, they’ll kid in the spring. I can’t wait for baby goats again! And fresh milk!
Very nice goats! So how much milk do you get daily from the three current milkers? I’ve noticed the amounts vary from goat to goat. So much to learn about these adorable creatures.
None of mine are currently in milk, unfortunately. Production will vary from line to line and doe to doe. Their feed & health can affect production greatly, too. And, of course, which direction the wind is blowing and if you’re holding your tongue just right…
Baby goats are awesome.
They’re too cute — but a lot of them are still going to end up in the freezer. LOL
Oh, I am so impressed by how much you know about goats already! I had to giggle about “Susie”. That’s the name of my “favorite” sister. Hee-hee!
But seriously, now. Your kids are going to get sooooo much good experience out of all this. Not to mention that good goat’s milk when they start producing. Great job, great job.
This isn’t our first go-round with goats. In fact, it’s our… fourth? Wow. But all of the registered this and papered that is brand spankin’ new to us and it’s taking a bit of getting used to. Forms, forms, everywhere are forms…
Susie is incredibly smart, by the way. She’s also very independent. Which makes me doubly glad she’s already trained to the milk stand!