We have a small herd of six goats. Please keep in mind that this herd grows and shrinks because… well because they are not pets. We don’t hunt for sport & we don’t raise livestock just for lawn ornaments. BUT these animals are well cared for, handled and spoken to, and treated with respect and indeed love.
Today our herd consists of:
Clara, the herd queen. She would never admit to being afraid of anything. She is pushy & wide & loves to be scratched behind her horns. She is a year old Alpine/Boer cross to be bred for milk production and kids for sale/freezer.
Bella, Clara’s best friend. These two have bonded very closely and always sleep next to one another. She is a La Mancha/Boer cross and will be bred for milk & kids. She is a big puppy and loves to be brushed and to have her hooves trimmed, if I give them a good scritching.
Magil, the oldest of our goats at 2 years she is a grade Nubian. We purchased her with her twin kids to milk her for our family. She produces terrific milk and is a very good momma. She is a bit more timid and very very loud at feeding time.
Lil, Magil’s doeling. Very pretty little Boer/Nubian, but rather small and timid. Husband wants to keep her, but she will really need to gain some size if she will ever be able to breed.
Roscoe P. Coltrane, Magil’s buckling – now a wether. Yes, husband named him to be funny – expecting to put him in the freezer last fall. Of course now the little wether is husband’s favorite goat and a huge clown. He is eager for all attention and is never too tired to play.
Gypsy, the little La Mancha/Boer doeling I bottle raised with great frustration and angst. She taught me to never try bottle feeding a kid after it has nursed it’s mother for days. Unless there is some horrible loss and the kid has no other option. I will never forget it. She is runty and whiney and cute. But I don’t think she will be a productive herd member. We shall see.
