Now that spring is certainly on its way, the weather is warmer and the goats have been sleeping outside on the wasted hay and yes, they surely do waste a tremendous amount. Each year, I try to find a new way to feed them, so they do not waste as much, though, so far, those attempts are not successful. I have recently seen and new feeder model that might just do the trick.
The little Nigerian Dwarf/Myotonic goats are so small and so adorable. They are two years old and still look like young kids. They have killed the pine tree that was in the pen. Goats love trees and will eat the needles of pine trees and the bark until the tree dies. The branches are strong though, and the goats use them as a play area. Today, they were playing hide and seek there, all running to hide and then when they are caught, running away and back again. I was trying to catch Cocoa, because she was making a strange noise while sleeping. I though she might have pneumonia or something, but I listened to her chest and checked her nose and eyes and she is clear. Maybe she was just singing herself to sleep. I am anxious to see what the Angora cross babies will be like this year. So far, tentative buyers have come early, but there is not a deposit placed yet, so until there is, the goats are not considered sold. I learned the hard way that people do not honour their intentions when it comes to animals. If they have money on the animals, they will come back for them, but they have nothing to lose if they decide they do not want them at the last minute if they have not paid a deposit. So, I presell with deposits.
There is a slight possibility that the tiny Pygmy buckling bred some of the goats that were too small for the Angora. We will just have to wait for kidding time in May/June for the cuteness overload. Baby goats are sooooooooo cute! They will be getting their own playground this year and they will still have their hide and seek trees. What fun!