Archive for the ‘Animals - Goats’ Category
January 23, 2010 – The Ultimate Christmas Tree
Now that we’ve grown our Christmas tree, dug it out of a snowbank, dragged it into the house for the holidays and decorated it, it’s time for the 2nd to last use of the Christmas tree.
Here it is after the animals had a chance to browse the branches and even chew the bark off the ...Read more.
August 10, 2009 – Mulberry Forage
Mulberry is excellent forage – comparing favorably to alfalfa in protein content. There is so shortage of mulberry around here, so the goats and sheep have been getting a small daily ration of trees cut out of fencelines and other places I don’t want them going.
When the pastures start to fade in late summer, it’s ...Read more.
January 13, 2009 – Lab Results are In
Today we got word from the lab via the vet that Nellie tested negative for rabies. So we no longer have the prospect of that treatment over our heads.
one year ago…”Getting Ready for Public Hearing”
January 12, 2009 – PFI Conference Wrap-Up Part 2/Nellie’s Gone
We had a juxtaposition of events that causes us to rethink how we do some things around the farm. Before Christmas, Nellie, our two-year old Nubian became thin and we had her stool tested for parasites and found she was indeed in need of treatment, so we did that and she was getting her weight ...Read more.
January 3, 2009 – Reusing Christmas Tree
After serving as a Christmas three, it finds one more use before being the first piece thrown on next year’s burn pile. Although spruce is not the tastiest of all forages, nonetheless in deep winter the goats appreciate some fresh browse.
They are nibbling at the newest branches with the most tender needles.
one year ago…”The Grand ...Read more.
December 22, 2008 – Stud Goat
We’ve got a new visitor in the barn – the oreo-looking buck in the middle is here to visit the ladies.
He’s on loan from Two Friends farm and no doubt looks forward to fulfilling his duties.
one year ago…”No Solstice Bonfire this Year “
June 30, 2008 – Nellie the Goat
Here Nellie sticks her head out of the barn door as if to say “what ya got for me today?”
They’ve had a smorbasboard of different foods this spring. An acquaintance of a friend keeps buying 50 lb bags of various plant materials, hoping to use them for dye. They don’t quite work out ...Read more.
April 18, 2008 – I Feel the Earth Move
Last night was the 5.2 quake centered in Illinois. It was felt west of Des Moines, so we were in a place where we could have felt it. We think we did, but never would have thought twice about it and didn’t realize it at the time. We both woke up (this ...Read more.
April 16, 2008 – Milo and Fern
We’ve been anxiously awaiting Nellie’s first birthing experience as first timers can have problems until they figure it out. Paullina gave birth 2 1/2 weeks ago. Here are Milo and Fern – a girl and boy. They are very small but seem like they might be ok. Nellie has an “oh shi#*” look ...Read more.
March 30, 2008 – “Solo”
The kids have officially named the baby goat. The first name that hung around for a few hours was Henry, but eventually it turned to Solo.
The name was no doubt inspired by the fact that Solo was the first single goat born on the farm. He’s already walking around in the pasture. I’m thinking the ...Read more.
March 29, 2008 – Baby Goat!
Sometime between 8 and 10 this morning Paullina gave birth to her baby boy!
She’s a good worry-free mother who always does well with her kids.
This is the first year she’s only had one, but this guy looks big and vigorous. If it makes any difference, we were hoping tha Paullina would give birth before Nellie, ...Read more.
January 7, 2008 – Retrieving Goats/Back to the Farm
It’s the week after a long vacation.
Nelllie and Paullina went to Morning Sun farm a few miles away to stay with their friends Ringo and Bingo while we were away. We went and retrieved them this morning and started back into real life again – school, work, and laundry.
one year ago…
October 1, 2007 – “Don Juan” Arrives
Yesterday “Don Juan” the very young nubian buck came to stay a spell at high hopes. He and the two does introduced each other properly by promptly sniffing each other’s behinds.
So, many happy sniffings to all the goats out there needing to get lucky this fall!
one year ago…
May 6, 2007 – Portable Fencing
Here’s a picture of our new portable electric fence. The name of this fencing is “Permanet” as it is designed to be left up for the whole season, if necessary. We get our electric fencing from Premier Fencing in Washington, Iowa. Many people swear it is the best you can get.
We’ve used some of the ...Read more.
