Our Goat Journey

Orla Rose and Winnie

 Many people ask homesteaders and farmers "Why" they choose certain animals for their farms.  I believe there are as many answers as there are people who have animals.

When Hubby and I bought our place, we talked about what we wanted from it. We wanted to LIVE from our own efforts, or as much as we could.  We had several things on that list; chickens, gardens, fruit trees, a workshop (to build what we needed), a home and goats.

Peanut trying to "tell me something".

Goats were at the top of my list.  I wanted fresh milk - without antibiotics, growth hormones, etc, as well as from an animal I knew had been treated and fed properly.  With that milk, I wanted to make yogurt and cheeses.  Perhaps some day, they will also supply meat, but that’s another chapter that has yet to be written.
In November of 2012, the goats arrived; a bred, 3 yr old, Nubian doe, Orla Rose and two 6 month old Toggenburg/Nubian crosses, Winnie Pooh and Peanut Butter.  Right away, they were curious.  They scouted out the whole barn, yet stayed close for a couple of days, venturing only far enough to nibble some grass.  It was nearly a week and required some coaxing from us to get them out into the pasture, but they finally made it.

Once they got used to us, the fun began.  They LOVE attention!!  Goats are VERY social animals.  They thoroughly enjoy human company - as well as most other goats' company.  I can go out to them and nearly always get a great pick me up any time of the day. 

 Orla has many favorite places for me to scratch.  It depends on her mood as to which one is the favorite at which time.  She always stands close to me.  If I have to scold one of the others for something, she gets in the middle and does the scolding for me.  She is protective.  When she looks into my eyes, I feel she is looking into my soul.  What is she seeing?   I hope I measure up.

 In March of 2013, Orla gave us two amazingly beautiful kids.  Hope and Tom.

 

 

Having the experience of being with her while she delivered these kids was breathtaking. Watching a new life

(in this case, 2) enter the world is humbling.  Hubby wasn’t too sure about being there at the birth.  He was in this goat thing for me.  I think curiosity got the better of him.  He arrived home from a service call just barely in the nick of time to see Hope enter the world.  I cleaned her up and handed her to Hubby.  He had tears in his eyes!!!  Oh yea, he was lost. Then, Tom arrived.  I caught him and cleaned him up and handed him to Hubby as well.  What an experience.  We were not going to keep any of the babies.  Everyone who has goats said we would keep one.  They were right.  We kept Hope.  Tom was 3 months old when he was adopted.  I was thrilled when he went to a home where he is as spoiled and loved as he was here.  Knowing you cannot control the destiny of an animal you have loved (for any length of time) when it leaves your home is difficult.  We got lucky.  Had we been set up to keep a buck, we still could not have kept Tom.  He is related to everyone else.  I have had weekly updates from his new Mom.  We miss him greatly though.  I do think the next round with kids will be easier.  We’ll know what we’re in for and we’ll start advertising the kids when they’re younger.  

Winnie and Peanut are twins. They are as different in personality as night and day.  Winnie is the mischievous one.  She sneaks up on you and licks you when you’re not looking!  She puts her foot up on you to say “I’m not getting enough attention”, or to simply get your attention.  She likes to “butt” my hand.  She loves flip flops, too.  She works my foot until she gets it off then runs around with it on her horns.  Peanut is quiet and can be moody.  She will stand and look me in the eyes while I pet her.  She stands close, sometimes, leaning on me as if to say “I really, really love you”.  Other times, she does not want to be bothered and if I do, she’ll try to butt me.  We are working on that – horns and attitude do NOT mix.

Hope, our newest herd member is the most precious looking little goat there is!!!  She has the sweetest little face and the most liquid brown eyes.  She is small and delicate, like a Faerie.  She’s quiet and yet loving.  She comes up to be petted, gives little kisses and basically just makes my heart melt.
It has been quite a journey.  We have learned a lot about goat care.  I did my reading up front, but there is nothing like practical experience.  We have learned what they can and cannot eat, how to keep them healthy and dealt with behavioral issues.

Orla Rose, Winnie Pooh, Peanut Butter and Hope-y Dope-y are a wonderful addition to our farm and our lives.  We made a fantabulous choice, one I am sure we will continue to be happy with for many years to come.