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Barnyard Buddies:  Babies are popping up all over  |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 02 2008 : 05:22:38 AM
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Those pics are adorable. I love the close up pic of the one with his little bottom lip turned up. So sorry that you lost one. You sound like a very loving and caring "momma".
Blessings
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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Marybeth
True Blue Farmgirl
6418 Posts
Mary Beth
Stanwood
Wa 98292
USA
6418 Posts |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2008 : 07:16:30 AM
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Thanks Catherine - I still cry when I have a little one pass but over the years I have gained skills that have brought many more back to life then we have lost - so although it is very sad I know that He was loved and cared for while he was here.
Kate is such a sweetheart but she is also a busy body. The day after she was born at about 2 in the morning I did my check and no Kate. I was frantic because the barn door was open a little so the dog could come in and out. I ran outside in the snow storm trying to find footprints but the snow was coming down so fast that it was impossible to track anything. My heart was in my throat I called and called. I ran back into the barn and let her mother out hoping she would find her. Instead Eboney ran over to the bales of Hay in the barn. I yelled at her "You pig we have to find your baby" just then under a light blanket of snow Kate poked her head up. She ran to me and wanted up. I think she remembered that I sat on the bales and warmed her with the hairdryer, so go there for help.
Since then I have caught her out visiting the other kids in other pens more times then I can count but at least she knows now where her own pen is. Goats you got to love them.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
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abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2008 : 1:02:16 PM
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Oh my gooooooodness! And I thought puppies were cute! They are ADORABLE Grace!
Rhonda
I will sing at the top of my lungs, and I will dance even if I'm the only one...
http://www.kattywhompus.etsy.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2008 : 2:56:47 PM
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Hi Rohnda
I know what you mean - when my great pry had puppies I could just eat them up they were so wonderful. The way they wiggle and make the tiny sounds. Goat kids are ready to play within hours and are spring loaded. The way they will rub their heads on your check - well it makes life worth living.
I got to tell you I think you little angels are spectacular - I am with you I love using things old and making something new. Love your etsy shop. I will have to place it on my fav's list.
Stay warm and goat kisses.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/larkspurfunnyfarm |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4188 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4188 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2008 : 2:58:19 PM
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Good luck Grace with baby season. Hope everyone left has an easy time, has them during daylight hours, and are good momma's.
Michele |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2008 : 9:56:10 PM
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They are totally adorable!! I miss having baby goats on our place..there is nothing cuter!!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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BarefootGoatGirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1495 Posts
Corrine
North Carolina
USA
1495 Posts |
Posted - Feb 03 2008 : 10:39:58 AM
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you are so blessed, grace! i just love babies and your descriptions of life on the "funny farm" are amazing.
What we write today slipped into our souls some other day when we were alone and doing nothing.
-Brenda Ueland
http://quilandneedle.blogspot.com/ |
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Maryjane Lee
True Blue Farmgirl
2195 Posts
Maryjane
CA
USA
2195 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2008 : 12:50:40 PM
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Grace, your baby goats are DARLING!!! Thanks for sharing!
Hugs, Maryjane Lee
Farmgirl Sister #44
The Beehive Cottage~est. 1971
Sisters on the Fly #595
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Luzy
True Blue Farmgirl
922 Posts
Luanne
Pueblo
Colorado
USA
922 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2008 : 2:35:35 PM
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Thanks for the adorable pictures Grace. Your babies are so lucky to have you!! I'm so sorry for your loss, that just tears my heart out, but he knew he was loved for sure. Bless your heart!!! Hugs, Lu
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May I always be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.
http://luzy.etsy.com- My etsy store! |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2008 : 6:42:14 PM
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Thanks all for checking out the kids - just came in from the barn and I have spent the last two hours trying to get a picture of Maggi's boy. She is determined not to let me. I have named him "Monty" because he is always jumping on her back while she is standing. Reminds me of the Monty Python Show.... Since my dital camera is about 8 years old is hates the cold and we are again having snow and cold. So everytime I get the stupid thing to focus Monty jumps down and hides behind Maggi's legs.
The rest of the kids are jumping around and getting into each others pens to visit and play. I have one girl who keeps pretending like she is starting labor but I know she will wait till it is bitter cold and two in the morning before deciding to do anything. You know just when I am ready to go to bed..........
Well stay warm all and hope to have some new faces by morning.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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doublebow
Farmgirl in Training
37 Posts
michelle
springtown
tx
37 Posts |
Posted - Feb 08 2008 : 6:14:19 PM
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| I enjoyed reading your blog. What sweet babies! I have goats,too, but mine don't have that adorable woolie coat. |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2008 : 3:20:33 PM
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What types of goats? I have raised all kinds of milk goats too and have been really considering bring back milk goats. I would love to see you goats - I think the only goats I would not raise are Boer goats because they are for meat and I do not do that anymore - it just breaks my heart to drive my animals to the butcher.
I wished I had new pictures to share but I have been playing catch up at the farm. I went grocery shopping which I had not done sine Jan 3rd. I was hoping that when I got home there might be new babies but I think my last two are just trying to see how many times I will walk in the barn - every two hours until those last kids are on the ground.
We had 56 degrees on Sunday and it is now snowing sideways again. Maybe when the temp reachs zero those babies will come. I will keep you informed
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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doublebow
Farmgirl in Training
37 Posts
michelle
springtown
tx
37 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2008 : 6:29:07 PM
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| I have dairy goats. LaMancha and Nigerian. I've had goats for 3 yrs but just bought a dairy goat last fall. It was great to have such good quality milk right from my own home. I'm on baby watch right now,too. But I think they like to wait to have those babies til you're not looking! Good luck with that weather you're having. Stay warm! |
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2008 : 8:48:21 PM
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grace,
i love to hear you talk about your farm and the pics were adorable.
we have a small herd of angoras, and i agree the "baby" time is the best. i think goat kids are about the cutest, and yes cuter than puppies or kittens which i love.
we usually have out babies in january or fabruary, but last year one llone mama had her baby in july. this winter we have only had one baby so far, but the mom's dont look pg and the male is romantic as all get out. do they ever change their breeding time. could we end up with babies in july? what in the heck is this all about.
oh, yea, keep those post and pics coming they are tooooo adorable.
love
fran
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/) |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2008 : 09:50:29 AM
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Hi Fran
They can change their season - my girl Eboney three years ago lost a baby and turned right around and rebred and she had a second delivery in the same year. I have also had goats come to us with one season and within a couple of months the girls in the barn have a talk with the new goat and then the new goat has a change in season. There has been studies that also with human women who spend day in and day out with the same women can have the periods change. For the past 22 years we had one billy (Thor) who always remained in with the girls. I also think he had alot to do with their schedule. He pasted last year and we used one of our other billies. However his temperment was no where the same as Thor's so I had to drag him out last month because he was pushing and bullying the girls. I was concerned that he was going to hurt the babies because they will want to rebred the moment the girls deliver. Good luck with the babies and please share pictures. I am hoping to get new ones soon.
Stay well.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2008 : 10:21:13 AM
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i have sooo many questions to ask you, i wish you were my neighbor. i would try not to bug you i would just come over and help ya out so i could learn.
i would really like to have just 1 nigerian dwarf goat for milk, what do you know about keeping different species of goats together. is that verboten? what is your wisdom on that?
also wonder if you have a preference of milk goats.
we currently have 10 angora goats, too many males, and would like to decrease the herd somwhat.
we have 16 acreas, 10 acre woodlot and a 6 acrea native pasture. our county is not an arid part of texas but we dont get as much rainfall as the east texas folks do. we have had a drought for the last 7 years.
how many goats do you think would be optimum for this area. we dont want to have a huge production, i just wonder how to tell if you have too many. (besides when the dh says, we have too many!)
i am with you on the boer goats. we could probably do real well here with boer goats, but i do not want to raise animals that have to be killed to make money. dont get me wrong, i am afraid i am a carnvoure,
and i am very greatful for those who provide that service. i just know i couldnt and it would be a dismal failure on many levels.
anyway, thanks so much for your time, grace, i love reading your post and storiies, i will post a pic today of our little one.
his name is "obaaaaama" nothing political going on here, but he was born on the iowa caucas day and the grandkids thought obaaaama was the perfect name for him. he is a little cutie to us.
love
fran
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/) |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 12 2008 : 12:50:36 PM
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Fran you are never bothering me. I love sharing my life experiences if they will help.
As for combining different types of goats I have done it for years however I will remind you just because you think it is a good idea does not mean your goats will agree. I never just put new animals together, feelings get hurt and so runs the possibility of injury. It would be like if you dh brought home another girl - would you be thrilled? Also, some goats no matter how long they live together will never be friends. Then I have had some come on board it is like they are long lost friends. I found also if I do not favor the new one I also have not created that "Mom likes you best" fighting. Most of the time milk goats have had their horns removed so that puts them at a disadvantage. I wish folks would leave horns on because that is the way goats regulate their body temps. You can still get a goat in a milking stand with horns, they do not go around hurtin each other just because they have horns. The practice of removing horns where for factory practices not what goes on a regular farm daily.
The best goat for milking is one who has a proven track record. If you can find out what her mother, grandmother and such produced that is the best way to start. Next, what does the milk bag and teats look like - education is key here - read all you can so you can spot the problems before you bring them home. Dwarfts and strange crosses are not going to give you a sound milker. Consider would you want a tiny angora if you where raising fiber? No because you would never make enough fiber because of the surface size of the animal, same is true for milk. The next is consider what you can afford. This is not the time you want to pinch pennies. You are going to have to pay for quality and down the road it is well worth it. All the love and feed and vet bills are not going to make a poor milker change.
Did you know if you have a great fiber goat that produces a ton of milk you can use her? In other countries they use their cashmere and angoras also for the milk producers and meat production. It is only
in this country that we separate the breeds into single production. In fact, their prized for milk because of their fat content. Also, you will be increasing your financial worth of your animals without increasing your numbers. That would make your dh happy.
As for how many goat you can have I would contact your local county extention agent and see what they have to say. It would depend also on how much feed you wish to bring in.
I wished you were close to but for now we can type away. Take care and love hearing from you.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2008 : 4:02:11 PM
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grace, i have been thinking about what you said about milking the angora goat.
i think i would like to try this. what i cant seem to find an answer to is this.
i understand the concept of milking, i have milked the moms when their babies had trouble nursing them, and well, i breast fed 4 babies, so there are some things i understand, but i dont understand if you have to take the baby from the mom if you are gonna milk her.
can she feed her baby and be milked 1 time a day or 2 times a day and still be able to produce fibre?
at what point do you start milking them.
i have a mama right now and her baby was born the night of the iowa caucus, so how long will he nurse. our babies just seem to nurse forever, but i have never tried to get milk from a mama before for us to use.
i dont imagine i will want a lot of milk, but just dont know.
if you know a site that talks about this let me know. you have steered me to some good sites in the past, but all the ones i have tried to find just talk about HOW to milk the goat, and doesnt address these questions.
thanks,
love
fran
(http://farmfolks-frannie.blogspot.com/) |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2008 : 4:10:39 PM
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Hi Fran
Most of the time folks pull the babies to keep the kids CAE free but you can have the babies nurse and take some for you. What you will have to do is slowly take a little milk and just like us humans the more they nurse the more milk is produced. What I would suggest is to start a schedule of around four times a day after you have seen the baby nurse. Do not take much or baby will be doing without. The reason why milk goat look so huge is because they are only milk twice a day so the milk gets engorged. If you watch the kids they are continually nursing but only a little bit at a time. Also, make sure that they will get feed enough to make that extra milk.
When considering this you also have to have a mother who produces a good quanity of milk. If someone had twins your in - but remember if you are taking milk you must have enough for the kids or supplement them.
Good luck
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 20 2008 : 09:50:42 AM
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FINALLY the next set of twins were born last night at 8:14 and 8:40 pm. A boy and girl, pure white and such wavy fiber. These are Cashgora's and what sweethearts. After everything was said and done they are PERFECT........
I hope to get new pictures of all the babies but I have been up to my eyeballs with fiber orders (GREAT for the farm - puts food in the barns for all the animals) and trying to get chores done before the next storm.
What made this so special to me is that exact time the twins were born is the exact time twelve years ago my husband passed away. It was a great gift for me because this is the first year that I had been alone on the farm with those memories. The universe is so great to give us what we need. I am blessed.
Thanks for letting me share
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2008 : 07:27:44 AM
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I updated the blog site with new pictures of the kids outside. The newest twins are still keeping behind mom but I am wearing them down. I hope to get a clear shot of them soon. Trust me I went thru about 40 pictures trying to get a clear shot of them. Fast little sillies.
Now I am just waiting on one more girl to deliver - this is the one with missing teeth, thin body and generally a very old, old, old girl but still a sweetheart.
Thanks for taking a look..........
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Feb 28 2008 : 10:46:03 AM
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Oh Grace, I read all of the blogs about the babies (and about your squirrel visitor!). I so enjoy seeing those little ones and my, oh my aren't the colors just gorgeous this time!!!!
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Barnyard Buddies: Babies are popping up all over |
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Babies are popping up all over
