The highlight of kidding season was Tess (13 years old) being midwife to our two goats who went into labor at exactly the same time. By the time we got home, six bouncing babies were nursing and Tess had taken care of dipping their umbilical cords and making sure each goat got colostrum. She is a natural! The low point was a kid who was born unable to walk or hold up her head. We did our best: gave her a shot of BoSe, some NutraDrench, and some colostrum via syringe, then brought her in with us by the wood stove, but after watching her all night, she died the next day. It was our first goat to ever die on the farm and it was very sad. I can't imagine it getting much easier with time, but I'm OK with us being emotionally attached. And the surprise of the season: Bonnie had 4 boys! One who came out 2 hours after the rest, long after we thought she was done kidding. Lewis is one of our biggest kids and came out raring to go. Our smallest kid is also Bonnie's (her first). His name is Clyde and he is the cutest thing I've ever seen.
We began milking a couple of days ago. At two weeks we separate the kids from their moms at night and milk once a day in the morning. After we sell the wethers at eight weeks we will begin twice a day milking. And after months of waiting, the first chevre is doing its thing overnight! YUM! I could burst with excitement. I had no idea just how much I missed milking and cheese making until we got back into the action this week!
We are feeling like 13 is very lucky indeed.
This baby goats are sooo adorable. I have been looking into your sunflower farm and I think it is beautiful. I work on a farm that is linked to my college, we only have sheep, 2 goats, and some chickens and ducks. I would love to come to your farm and see the adorable baby goats. Our female goat is pregnant... we think. I would also love to see your pigs. I have always wanted a pig... and hope someday to raise them in my own farm, so I would love to talk to you about what is like to raise your own farm.
ReplyDeleteHeather, Come by anytime to see the goats and pigs. Potbelly piglets are due any day and the goat kids are still just 2-3 weeks old and so snuggly and sweet. How cool that you are getting farm experience in college. There is nothing like animals to ground us in this fast paced crazy world. It is funny, often you can't tell if a goat is pregnant for sure until they deliver. This year though all our goats were OBVIOUSLY hugely pregnant! :) So happy you are enjoying the blog! Please call anytime to arrange a visit. Our number is on the website. Sunflowerfarm.info. Take care.
ReplyDeleteWhen would be the best time to call to set up at time to visit? Do you allow visits on saturdays?
ReplyDeleteHeather, Give us a call anytime, if we are not here, leave a message. Saturdays are great. We are teachers, so we can be around most days this summer if we have a heads up.
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