Daphne always has the finest kids and this year is no exception. She had quads and two were sold as bottle babies within a day so she would have a bit of a break. I kept the buckling and doeling and both, as it turns out, are spectacular. The buckling is a handsome young fellow, white with spots and black leg and face markings. He is alert and quick and pays attention to his surroundings. Daphne is a Nigerian Dwarf goat and the kids are as well as the buck was a Nigerian with about an eighth of Pygmy in him.
These kids were born some time before the rest of the kids and are ready to be weaned. Celia went to a new home today and her three doelings are left behind. They are 8 weeks old and could have benefitted by a little more time with mom since triplets grow a bit slower than singles or even twins. There is one tiny girl I have fondly named Tina who has won my heart. She was the one who got pushed away from mom the most and ended up fending for herself. She did get enough milk to carry on quite well, but not as much as she would have liked. I kept a close eye on her to see if I should bottle feed her or not. The buck who sired the girls was a tiny little friendly fellow and I think that Tina will also be tiny. Tiny Tina.
Daphne's buckling is related to the does except for one and the big Nubians. He is offered for sale now for $300. I feel he will be well worth that if he is anything like his mother. Tommy, one of the Nigoras, also went to a new home as did 2 ewes and a ram lamb. The folks who purchased the animals are young and keen on learning all there is about sheep and goats and being self sustainable. They are interested in milking Celia and making goat cheese and she does have very rich milk, though is not the easiest to milk.
The goat herd is quite calm. They are due to be treated for barber pole worms again, this time with Safeguard in a triple oral dosage. Celia's babies will be given a small dosage since the stress of being without their mother can be hard on them. Tomorrow I will offer them bottles and see if they accept them. I have a feeling they will not be interested no matter what I do, but they are eating well on their own and I am not worried about survival, only about sadness of loss of the mom. I will be picking up a little blue eyed Nigerian Dwarf buckling at the end of this month to be the daddy to the kids next year.
Goats are entertaining, sweet and fun and if you have not hugged a goat today, I urge you to give it a try. Go ahead!
These kids were born some time before the rest of the kids and are ready to be weaned. Celia went to a new home today and her three doelings are left behind. They are 8 weeks old and could have benefitted by a little more time with mom since triplets grow a bit slower than singles or even twins. There is one tiny girl I have fondly named Tina who has won my heart. She was the one who got pushed away from mom the most and ended up fending for herself. She did get enough milk to carry on quite well, but not as much as she would have liked. I kept a close eye on her to see if I should bottle feed her or not. The buck who sired the girls was a tiny little friendly fellow and I think that Tina will also be tiny. Tiny Tina.
Daphne's buckling is related to the does except for one and the big Nubians. He is offered for sale now for $300. I feel he will be well worth that if he is anything like his mother. Tommy, one of the Nigoras, also went to a new home as did 2 ewes and a ram lamb. The folks who purchased the animals are young and keen on learning all there is about sheep and goats and being self sustainable. They are interested in milking Celia and making goat cheese and she does have very rich milk, though is not the easiest to milk.
The goat herd is quite calm. They are due to be treated for barber pole worms again, this time with Safeguard in a triple oral dosage. Celia's babies will be given a small dosage since the stress of being without their mother can be hard on them. Tomorrow I will offer them bottles and see if they accept them. I have a feeling they will not be interested no matter what I do, but they are eating well on their own and I am not worried about survival, only about sadness of loss of the mom. I will be picking up a little blue eyed Nigerian Dwarf buckling at the end of this month to be the daddy to the kids next year.
Goats are entertaining, sweet and fun and if you have not hugged a goat today, I urge you to give it a try. Go ahead!
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