The goats still have at least 4 weeks left before the babies come, but this year they are huge. The hay was particularly great, with everything the goats love to eat, except the grass. It was chock full of weeds, dandelions, thistles, strawberries, clovers, wild flowers and herbs. The hay came from Lac La Biche, about an hour and a half from Elk Point, from a farm that has not used any sprays in a long time or possibly never. The farmer was thinking of tilling the fields over and planting hay. Oh, goodness, that is the worst thing he could do. The minerals and nutrients in the weedy hay far will surpass any monocrop of modern hay he could ever plant. Weeds dig down deep with roots that can draw all that the plant needs, whereas modern grasses just do not compare. With poor feed, comes lack of parasite resistance too. The animals immune systems are compromised because they are struggling to stay well nourished. My sheep and goats have hardly touched their minerals this whole winter because they are well supplied from the beautiful weedy hay.
But, that means multiples and big babies, since the does can send lots of goodness to the developing fetuses. Poor Daphne, well, she looks like a beached whale already and has another month to go. She may deliver a week early if the babies get too large for her to manage. I will take time off work then and try to be available round the clock in case of complications. I have been very selective over the years and my goat herd is amazing! The does kid without problems, have the babies cleaned up and nursing within minutes, and Daphne can handle her quads, though I usually take two from her to ensure she is not depleted too badly. She is already 6 and in the prime of her life. She has given me beautiful goats that carry her amazing strengths. The buck, Stevie Wonder, is also excellent quality, hardy and naturally able to fight off pests that weaker goats succumb to. The babies should be incredible! Daphne has brown eyes and Stevie has blue, so at least some of the babies will have blue eyes. There are two of Daphne's daughters in the goat herd as well.
I had another incredible goat, Cecelia, who was the herd boss, but I sold her with her quads one year back, though kept two of her doelings. I did not have Stevie then and it will be interesting to see how the babies turn out. Already the does are very pregnant, so I am guessing they will have twins and triplets at least.
There are some new goats that came to the farm just a couple of months ago. I am positive that the mother is purebred Nigerian Dwarf, but cannot attest to the lineage of her daughter and three granddaughters. The previous owners really did not have much of a clue as to the parentage. All five of the newbies are blue eyed though.
There is also Wimpy, the Nubian buck. He is really small for a Nubian, but he is purebred. I am hoping he will breed some of my Nigerians this fall and a new buck is coming as well, a Nubian/Nigerian cross, or mini Nubian. There are two beautiful princesses, Lena and Leah, who will marry him then. As much as I absolutely love the Nigerian Dwarf goats, Lena and Leah have really stolen my heart. I hope they will be my future milk goats, along with their daughters. Since downsizing is in order for the farm as I am getting older, I will be parting with many of my current herd members too. There are 22 goats currently and I would like to cut that down to maybe 8 or 10 for next winter.
But, babies are coming and although it is a stressful time, it is my favourite time of the farm. Stay with me for lots of photos and the frolicking antics of the new goaties.
But, that means multiples and big babies, since the does can send lots of goodness to the developing fetuses. Poor Daphne, well, she looks like a beached whale already and has another month to go. She may deliver a week early if the babies get too large for her to manage. I will take time off work then and try to be available round the clock in case of complications. I have been very selective over the years and my goat herd is amazing! The does kid without problems, have the babies cleaned up and nursing within minutes, and Daphne can handle her quads, though I usually take two from her to ensure she is not depleted too badly. She is already 6 and in the prime of her life. She has given me beautiful goats that carry her amazing strengths. The buck, Stevie Wonder, is also excellent quality, hardy and naturally able to fight off pests that weaker goats succumb to. The babies should be incredible! Daphne has brown eyes and Stevie has blue, so at least some of the babies will have blue eyes. There are two of Daphne's daughters in the goat herd as well.
I had another incredible goat, Cecelia, who was the herd boss, but I sold her with her quads one year back, though kept two of her doelings. I did not have Stevie then and it will be interesting to see how the babies turn out. Already the does are very pregnant, so I am guessing they will have twins and triplets at least.
There are some new goats that came to the farm just a couple of months ago. I am positive that the mother is purebred Nigerian Dwarf, but cannot attest to the lineage of her daughter and three granddaughters. The previous owners really did not have much of a clue as to the parentage. All five of the newbies are blue eyed though.
There is also Wimpy, the Nubian buck. He is really small for a Nubian, but he is purebred. I am hoping he will breed some of my Nigerians this fall and a new buck is coming as well, a Nubian/Nigerian cross, or mini Nubian. There are two beautiful princesses, Lena and Leah, who will marry him then. As much as I absolutely love the Nigerian Dwarf goats, Lena and Leah have really stolen my heart. I hope they will be my future milk goats, along with their daughters. Since downsizing is in order for the farm as I am getting older, I will be parting with many of my current herd members too. There are 22 goats currently and I would like to cut that down to maybe 8 or 10 for next winter.
But, babies are coming and although it is a stressful time, it is my favourite time of the farm. Stay with me for lots of photos and the frolicking antics of the new goaties.
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