Devonviolet's - Kidding 2017

[Devonviolet]

Now that we have the stalls for the mama's & their ducklings, we still had an 8×8' stall area, that we can put the kids in at night, when we separate them, from Falina & Ruby, to increase milk production.

So, today, DH put up a couple old gates, and set it up food & water for them. I took Woody first, and went back to get the the twins. You should have heard Woody holler! But, when we took the twins into the stall, he was fine. They all ate some feed:

And then started exploring their new home. They have never had solid walls, & Linden thought It was fun to jump & bounce off the wall between the two stalls.

Of course that wall didn't have much for support. So, DH got a 2×4×8' & screwed it to the floor & rafter & into the OS wall. That made a big difference. Now, I'm pretty sure we won't go out, in the morning & find the wall knocked down.

 

[Southern by choice]

Baby goats especially baby lamancha goats are so much fun!

 

[Mini Horses]

Let's hope they don't learn what mine did --- if they jump & hit the right spot on that wall, they can ricochet themselves to the top of the adjoining one & OVER it. I worked on the barn wall and onto a wooden fence, then the backyard was their playground! So, if you find them out and no holes, that's what happened. Gotta love 'em!

They are growing very well. I know you are loving them. Hard part is selling. That's the goat math part, right?

 

[Devonviolet]

That's hilarious! Kid goats are SO cute! Since we have the ducklings, in the barn, we closed off the openings with doors & wire, for ventilation, to keep owls out at night. So, no danger of the kids getting over the wall and out into the barnyard.

I was amazed at how quickly they figured out that they could jump and bounce off the stall walls. And I was also glad I decided to stay and observe them, for a while, to see how they handled being away from their moms! That OSB panel wall was shaking quite a bit, when they hit it, as they jumped.

Once we got the twins in with Woody, he was fine, and stopped his bawling. Falina, on the other hand, wouldn't stop calling for Woody! She DID NOT like being separated from him! Ruby called out, for the twins. But, didn't seem to miss them as much as Falina missed Woody.

 

[dejavoodoo114]

I saw your white stall walls and thought "oh no, that's not sheetrock right? They wouldn't do that!" Then saw it was painted.
Looks great!

 

[Devonviolet]

Thanks, dejavoodoo.

Actually, it's OSB, which we painted about 3 shades lighter than the walls & ceiling. It just reads white on my cell phone camera, in the poor lighting of the barn.

 

[dejavoodoo114]

I keep seeing the pictures of your "barn" and I get serious barn envy! So nice and pretty and easy to clean! Our barn is an old 100' x 60' with rough cut oak siding and dirt floors. None of the wood matches and most was torn out to fit our needs but some remains. Then there are the various projects we have done at different times and you sure can tell. Maybe I just need to paint it all myself and pretend it looks good that way!

 

[Devonviolet]

I sure would love a 100×60 barn! However, 16×24 is what we can afford. It still needs work - like a ramp & double doors for the 6' wide opening, and stairs & a covered 12×4' deck, that I envision on the front, as well as skirting all around, to keep wild animals out from living under the decking (which is 14" off the ground. Oh, and we need a 7×6', 2×4 framework, with welded wire enclosure, to store hay, and a storage closet, as well as my "kitchen", for preparing & storing feed.

The paint was a necessity, as I am highly sensitive to the off-gassing chemicals, from the OSB panels. Minimum, it needed to be primed. So, I figured we might as well paint it a pretty color.

That being said, I am happy with the progress so far.

 

[Bruce]

They have never had solid walls, & Linden thought It was fun to jump & bounce off the wall between the two stalls.

Parkour!!!!

 

[Mike CHS]

That is so cute. Our sheep try to do that but they get to big and cumbersome too fast.