Edit: Additional post below. 3/22/14
Sally and I are both in our early seventies. Yet we adopted two new kids today. Your kids probably take about 20 years to grow. I expect a year for ours.
These little boys are Nubian goats. The breed produces a very superior milk and I think I would like that to be part of our future. It seems prudent to try out something like that before you commit. These guys come from Calico Dairy. The Dairy keeps the young ladies that come along but the boys have to go somewhere.
Selling bottle babies isn't really a money making enterprise. Generally they bottle feed them over three months before they send them out. If labor were free (it isn't) they might cover their expenses. They could sell them to people who want to eat cabrito but they do not. If you want a unique pet give Calico Dairy a call. I bought two and feel very happy about it. Just for that (not to mention the myriad products they produce and our family consumes) I have a big two thumbs up for the Hoffmanns.
If you want to see the growth process prior to today, go here: http://www.grangerlandrfd.com/never-too-old
The dog is Bob. He is an Australian Shepard and (unorganized) herding is his game. When we had American Blackbelly sheep Bob thought it was his duty to exercise them. He never hurt them. He has also herded grandchildren. He tried with the Donkeys and Llama but the results were not good.
I don't care to have Bob exercise these boys and that was certainly his intent. With a few less than kind words and some choice thumpings he got the idea. I am not naive to the point that I think it's permanent but these boys are not roaming in the field. That makes the situation less volatile.
When Sally and I took them from the truck to the pen we had the two dogs inside the house. I thought they were going to break the door down. The Rottweiler got out due to a mental lapse on my part and the goats were not nearly as happy about that as he was. Bob's new duties roaming the yard will have to be held in check tonight as I fear he will start barking and the boys will start bleating.
Bob's self control is rapidly improving. Actually, he didn't have any until recently. He is a smart dog and Bo and Jack almost trust him already. The difference between these goats and American Blackbelly sheep is tremendous. Never could tame them.
I don't care to have Bob exercise these boys and that was certainly his intent. With a few less than kind words and some choice thumpings he got the idea. I am not naive to the point that I think it's permanent but these boys are not roaming in the field. That makes the situation less volatile.
When Sally and I took them from the truck to the pen we had the two dogs inside the house. I thought they were going to break the door down. The Rottweiler got out due to a mental lapse on my part and the goats were not nearly as happy about that as he was. Bob's new duties roaming the yard will have to be held in check tonight as I fear he will start barking and the boys will start bleating.
Bob's self control is rapidly improving. Actually, he didn't have any until recently. He is a smart dog and Bo and Jack almost trust him already. The difference between these goats and American Blackbelly sheep is tremendous. Never could tame them.
Calico Dairy told me that the boys were 12 weeks old last Sunday (I guess mid Feb 2014 birth date) and should start being weaned today. I think it's going to be easy. They were picking at this hay as soon as they got into the pen. Bo was sticking his head through the panel and eating grass outside his pen at Calico Dairy. We cut a branch and threw it in the pen and they were delighted. They munched on it for a couple hours. Then Kelly spiced up the game even more.
I think they are no longer totally satisfied with just each other's company. They bleated some until Sally went outside and they shut right up. Their trust in humans was obvious at the Dairy and that has not changed. By the way, the back left corner of the pen contains six guinea hens who are still terrified of the goats and the humans. I want them to learn to fly and escape as we let our guineas roam free. I think they are close.
I think they are no longer totally satisfied with just each other's company. They bleated some until Sally went outside and they shut right up. Their trust in humans was obvious at the Dairy and that has not changed. By the way, the back left corner of the pen contains six guinea hens who are still terrified of the goats and the humans. I want them to learn to fly and escape as we let our guineas roam free. I think they are close.
We seem to have a bit of a balancing act here with donkeys, llama, dogs, and goats. We also have chickens, guinea foul, and ducks.
One thing about that. At least when the goats are young there is someone here that is just about as warped as me. Enter my son-in-law Kelly.
This is Kelly holding the branch within reach. With the first branch that we threw in, you could tell the boys weren't really interested in goat feed. Tomorrow I'll give them the bottle again if they will take it. This epicurean fantasy that the guys are going through is almost more than they can endure.
The little guy in the red shirt (a neighbor) keeps asking if he can ride them. I may have finally gotten through to him that they are babies and when grown will be more than three times as big as him. It may be time to actually do that donkey/goat cart.
The little guy in the red shirt (a neighbor) keeps asking if he can ride them. I may have finally gotten through to him that they are babies and when grown will be more than three times as big as him. It may be time to actually do that donkey/goat cart.
In the meantime we are treating them like puppies just as planned. It seems to be working. For the donkeys and llama anyway, it seems that if you have enough food and entertainment for them the fences are much better.
The donkeys and llamas provide their own entertainment. I think these fellows might also if we don't spoil them. Well, apparently we will so that is out.
When they break out it is almost always when the hay situation gets away from me. Buy more hay and they stay inside. These guys need to be kept separately for a long time so we will see how it plays out.
I normally add some pictures every week or so. Just check back. If I do something new, I will advertise on Facebook. To me, this is just as interesting as things get.
The donkeys and llamas provide their own entertainment. I think these fellows might also if we don't spoil them. Well, apparently we will so that is out.
When they break out it is almost always when the hay situation gets away from me. Buy more hay and they stay inside. These guys need to be kept separately for a long time so we will see how it plays out.
I normally add some pictures every week or so. Just check back. If I do something new, I will advertise on Facebook. To me, this is just as interesting as things get.
3/22/14 After creating a ruckus yesterday when the boys arrived, the dogs have quieted a lot. I left Bob, our roving security, tied up last night and probably will again tonight. He still gets a little excited but he spent the night next to the babies pen and we didn't hear from him. At first he would get excited and bark, then they would get excited and bleat. It was dark, before I put him out. They could see each other but neither the boys or Bob made any noises of excitement all night.
This morning I put goat feed in a pan for them and they attacked it. After chores I checked and they had spilled a batch. I put a brick in their pan to keep from tipping it so easily. They will adjust. I had always heard that goats do not eat what they spill. Evidence beside the feed pan and the hay feeder say that is probably true. Time will tell.
We went to an appointment and when I returned I heated up almost two quarts of milk. In order to start weaning them I mixed milk to water at about 2-1 ratio. Seemed the easiest way to start.
Saw the first aggressive behavior from them as there was competition for the nipple. Bob found the picture of me sitting on a bucket with a goat across my knees to be very exciting and was really expressive about it. I think he has shifted to protector mode but we have time. Having two goats try to occupy the same space at the same time probably would be more enjoyable if it were not your knees.
They wanted to follow me out but I shut the door pretty quickly. I think tomorrow if there is time I will find leaders and take them out to graze. They like Youpon so I cut a couple small branches and left them happy.
I increasingly feel that I'm going to get this adopted Dad gig down pat. I will add anything interesting but that's probably it for today. Need to leave now. Going to ABC Birds in Humble. Gotta get the wings clipped on one of the parrots or he will become MIA. They have been taking care of Kiwi and Skittles with supplies and advice since they were babies..
This morning I put goat feed in a pan for them and they attacked it. After chores I checked and they had spilled a batch. I put a brick in their pan to keep from tipping it so easily. They will adjust. I had always heard that goats do not eat what they spill. Evidence beside the feed pan and the hay feeder say that is probably true. Time will tell.
We went to an appointment and when I returned I heated up almost two quarts of milk. In order to start weaning them I mixed milk to water at about 2-1 ratio. Seemed the easiest way to start.
Saw the first aggressive behavior from them as there was competition for the nipple. Bob found the picture of me sitting on a bucket with a goat across my knees to be very exciting and was really expressive about it. I think he has shifted to protector mode but we have time. Having two goats try to occupy the same space at the same time probably would be more enjoyable if it were not your knees.
They wanted to follow me out but I shut the door pretty quickly. I think tomorrow if there is time I will find leaders and take them out to graze. They like Youpon so I cut a couple small branches and left them happy.
I increasingly feel that I'm going to get this adopted Dad gig down pat. I will add anything interesting but that's probably it for today. Need to leave now. Going to ABC Birds in Humble. Gotta get the wings clipped on one of the parrots or he will become MIA. They have been taking care of Kiwi and Skittles with supplies and advice since they were babies..
5/23/14
These kids get really excited when they see the bottle. It's a half gallon and came with a calf nipple. Had to buy the lamb/kid nipple separately. No big deal. About a $6 or $7 investment.
Mrs. Hoffman said to sit down and put the goat across your lap. Tried doing that but they won't let you separate them. They actively fight for the nipple and the best thing is to just see that one doesn't get the upper hand.
Next step will be to take them out to the ditch and sit with them while they eat. They still go after the milk the hardest but next on their list is the hay bale. I wanted them before they were completely weaned so they would bond to me. That seems to have happened.
Next step will be to take them out to the ditch and sit with them while they eat. They still go after the milk the hardest but next on their list is the hay bale. I wanted them before they were completely weaned so they would bond to me. That seems to have happened.
These guys are turning out to be more fun than I thought possible. After getting a hoof or two in the chest I'm thinking I will revise the procedure. I put a branch in the pen with the hay and goat feed every morning. If they don't start eating good it won't be from lack of opportunity.
24 May 14
When you get hired help you need to be concerned with workplace safety. Since each of these kids weighs more than Preston does I thought it would be a good idea to keep a fence between him and them. Bob was more interested in licking the babies than competing with Preston.
When you get hired help you need to be concerned with workplace safety. Since each of these kids weighs more than Preston does I thought it would be a good idea to keep a fence between him and them. Bob was more interested in licking the babies than competing with Preston.
Kelly said we should name the kids Cabrito and Tamale. We not only refused, we became highly indignant. Would have been even more so but after watching him play with them we know he's a fake. Bob has an extreme interest in these babies too. Since I have never seen him be aggressive with anything but intruder dogs (or foxes/coons), I am assuming that his interest is the same as Preston's or the neighbor kids. If he thinks they are Cabrito and/or Tamale he is going to have problems.
Babies always elicit interest. They will be somewhat intimidating when they are grown. Supposed to hit about 175 pounds or nearly twice what our sheep weighed. Left the horns on Bo. Jack is going to be hardheaded even without them. Delayed their first expedition to the ditch or the woods because of a party this afternoon. They are ready to wean based on the way they attacked their feed this morning. I expect with the bloated bellies after the milk, they are ready for a nap right now. Will update when the kids make their first expedition for foraging purposes.
Babies always elicit interest. They will be somewhat intimidating when they are grown. Supposed to hit about 175 pounds or nearly twice what our sheep weighed. Left the horns on Bo. Jack is going to be hardheaded even without them. Delayed their first expedition to the ditch or the woods because of a party this afternoon. They are ready to wean based on the way they attacked their feed this morning. I expect with the bloated bellies after the milk, they are ready for a nap right now. Will update when the kids make their first expedition for foraging purposes.
26 May 2014, Memorial Day: We took the babies out of the pen for the first time since their arrival. I had help with these three handsome youth. They were excited, the kids were excited, the dog was excited and I must confess that I still had a pulse.
The operation was a success because of two things:
The babies are afraid of cars and I like that; and,
They almost figured out what was expected of them. They will probably forget.
Just as I suspected, they walked past good grass for the opportunity to eat weeds.
The operation was a success because of two things:
The babies are afraid of cars and I like that; and,
They almost figured out what was expected of them. They will probably forget.
Just as I suspected, they walked past good grass for the opportunity to eat weeds.
If I were still teaching Civics I would turn this into a lesson about how groups can assimilate without forgetting what they are or where they came from. Here you see goats, human, dog, ducks, and if you look past the open door there are six guinea fowl that haven't figured how to get out yet. They are living together very peacefully although we didn't move the ducks until we finished leash training for the goats.
We moved the dog crate back from the fence because the guineas were standing on it and looking at the fence. I need the group of guinea fowl to get out. If only one or two escape they will be standing on the opposite sides of the fence squawking for a ladder. Truth be told, I don't care if they ever figure it out because the adult flock seems to be ignoring them. That's what it will take for them to want out.
We moved the dog crate back from the fence because the guineas were standing on it and looking at the fence. I need the group of guinea fowl to get out. If only one or two escape they will be standing on the opposite sides of the fence squawking for a ladder. Truth be told, I don't care if they ever figure it out because the adult flock seems to be ignoring them. That's what it will take for them to want out.
This is an even better example of assimilation. The guinea are around the water and their food (smallest container) because they are afraid the ducks will eat it otherwise. I like that because they weren't terribly impressed by the menu until it was threatened. The ducks are by the goat food (bucket on the right) and seem to like it as well as what they were eating. The goats prefer the green branch I threw in to the feed and hen scratch except when they don't. I think the variety is an important part of the weaning.
We have 5 acres of trees. To me that means that these little fellows are going to be very cheap to feed so long as I am willing to walk around with loppers. I think they have gone through some rites of passage and I expect the pictures to slow down.
They are batches of fun. They will be totally quiet and content. Then when the front door opens they start to bleat. They like human companionship and this human likes them. I think it is going to be a trip.
They are batches of fun. They will be totally quiet and content. Then when the front door opens they start to bleat. They like human companionship and this human likes them. I think it is going to be a trip.
This is what a couple three month old dogs....er goats look like when the rain has started after a busy day of learning. We were under a tornado watch and I was watching to see what these kids would do when it rained. They hesitated at first. Then they decided they didn't want to get wet. Next I knew they were looking out the window.
Hard to take a photo but they look like two inmates peering out and wanting loose. They bleat whenever they see us. Guess I will give them some dry food tomorrow. We provide shelter for donkeys that ignore our efforts. Looks to me like the goats might just be a little smarter.
Bob decided he would rather be under the porch than stuck inside with Mama and I. I didn't tell him it is supposed to rain all week.
Hard to take a photo but they look like two inmates peering out and wanting loose. They bleat whenever they see us. Guess I will give them some dry food tomorrow. We provide shelter for donkeys that ignore our efforts. Looks to me like the goats might just be a little smarter.
Bob decided he would rather be under the porch than stuck inside with Mama and I. I didn't tell him it is supposed to rain all week.
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