The Poultry Keeper

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6973 Location: isle of lewis

could we have an update on those lovely goats of yours Very Happy

manic nonie · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 3:00 pm Post subject:

please nigel

nigel · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:15 pm Post subject:

The goats are doing fine - though they are a little grumpy as they haven't been out much this week due to the rain.

Baby Baldr is growing really quickly and is very sweet, he insists on having his own little bucket of food so he doesn't have to fight the others at feed time. He is very vocal until he gets his own way. He follows me around as I feed the poultry too, he's an inquisitive little thing. His mother Snövit is now fully recovered, I have given up trying to milk her as at the last attempt I almost lost an eye. I'm fairly convinced that the damaged pelvis that prevented her from kidding normally is affecting her mobility and is the reason she doesn't like climbing on the milking stand.

I'm also fairly convinced we shall be hearing the patter of tiny hooves soon too as Mimmi looks fit to burst. Fingers crossed for a more normal birth and does not bucks please. I'm also fairly sure that Blåblomme is pregnant too and as I know when she was mated i know she should give birth around the 11-Jan.

All in all i'm loving having them around. I'm just working on another paddock for them just over an acre of rough grazing. I'm hoping that it should be finished by the weekend - weather permitting.

Next time we have a nice day I'll get the camera out

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6973 Location: isle of lewis

thanks for the update ,sounds as if you are having fun Very Happy

Welsh Duck · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:27 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the update Very Happy

debcat · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:48 pm Post subject:

don't forget the piccies Laughing

stephen · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 5:57 am Post subject:

Yeah, don't forget some pictures; I'm missing them!

manic nonie · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 6:54 pm Post subject:

please nigel

nigel · Posted: Wed Dec 05, 2007 9:49 am Post subject:

ok today despite the weather being a damp mist and the soggy ground I've had to let the goats out.

To prove everything i said above about the goats doing fine is a lie Blåblomme set out to kill everyone today. Butting anyone she can catch a knocking them sideways, I was worried for Mimmi who should be kidding soon.

I tried separating them and then they fret. They don't seem bothered about being outside so they can stay out until it rains heavily or it gets cold

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3021 Location: Monmouthshire

Being curious, why do you use a milking stand?

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1327 Location: Leicestershire

So milking a goat doesn't make your back ache so much

Itsybitsy

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3021 Location: Monmouthshire

My goatkeping days are long past, but I used a low stool so I could rest my elbows on my knees when milking (and if the light was OK, a book too). Back was young and untroubled then which might make a difference!