Jmsim93's Journal

[jmsim93]

Are the babies mini lamanchas? I am totally falling for that little boy! Are both babies blue eyed?

Sometimes the doe looks like she has blue eyes but I don't think she does. They are a very, very light brown, I think. If the light hits them just right they seem blue??? Yes, they are mini-lamanchas. I just got her 2 weeks ago.

 

[jmsim93]

Hmmm...well there's nothing like a huge storm to show you where your weaknesses are in a shelter! We had a huge storm drop lots of wind and rain on us ALL day yesterday and my shelters are a mess!!! I'm seriously going to have to redo the roofs on both shelters. Under normal conditions they are fine...but I guess they aren't up to "monsoon" conditions. Worse yet, my husband opened up the kidding stall during a lull so that Tingle could get out and stretch her legs if she wanted to (good intentions). Our other two goats won't get a drop of rain on them; when it starts raining they hightail it to the shelter. When I drove up to the house after work, Tingle was out in the rain and cold munching on vines!!! She was soaked to the skin!!! I couldn't believe it. (there was hay and grain in her shelter and the two kids were cuddled up asleep) I hope she doesn't get sick.

 

[jmsim93]

I haven't updated my journal in quite awhile. Tax time has me busy since I am a bookkeeper! It doesn't help that it has been raining or cloudy for over 2 weeks and it is a soggy nasty mess around here. I tend to not spend as much time with the girls when it is so nasty out. They are wondering what is going on with me! LOL It was sunny yesterday and partly cloudy today, so I was able to clean out the shelters and get the kidding stall ready for Mary Jane. Today was the official work day and I got alot done. Everyone had a weigh in, Mary Jane and Sweet Pea got their hooves trimmed, the 3 week old babies started their cocci prevention and Tingle got dosed with Probios (finding dog logs from her). Normally farm work is therapeutic for me but today I was a little overwhelmed. Mary Jane is due in 5 days and I am dealing with this disbudding issue with Tingle's babies (some of you might have seen the post) and I have so much to do. I wanted to be able to enjoy the kidding process this time around but as usual, life sometimes throws you lemons and you have to figure out how to make lemonade. *sigh* (I sound whiney...I'm sorry)

 

[jmsim93]

I was out and about today with the goats since Mary Jane is overdue and I am checking on her every hour. I took some pictures here and there and thought I would share...

Mary Jane is being quite uncooperative with delivering on time!

Mary Jane is still the boss! Even when 2 days overdue... Poor Sweetpea!

Mary Jane showing off her FF udder...can't wait until she comes into milk.
Hopefully by time she has a few more kiddings we can do something with them!

Sadie and Caesar are almost 6 weeks old! He will be separated this week to keep him
from doing something he shouldn't!

Tingle is eating as usual!

 

[jmsim93]

With the impending kidding by Mary Jane, my herd will grow to 7 if she has twins. I really need to assess whether or not to keep any of these babies. Tingle is eating me out of house and home and Mary Jane will be lactating soon and will do the same. I also have Sweetpea, whom my affections have waned, and she is the biggest pig of all. About 10 days ago I bought a 3x3x8 alfalfa/clover/grass mix and the goats wouldn't touch it! I tried to starve them out but after 3 days of them eating nothing but dried leaves and twigs I gave in so that Mary Jane would have energy for her upcoming delivery and Tingle's milk production wouldn't go down. Now I will end up using it as bedding! I can't continue to spend $15 a bale on the alfalfa that they love so much. So the question is...who to keep?????

 

[autumnprairie]

 

[jmsim93]

Things have been busy around here ever since Tingle and Mary Jane kidded. It is going to be hard to see the little ones go but the purpose of me getting goats was for milk...not to build a herd. I can see how easily it happens. I started with two in April of last year; now I have seven! Ha Ha...potato chips and all!!! I am selling Tingle, her two babies and the two babies from Mary Jane. That will put me back to two again. I am really in love with the little nigerian buckling. I don't know much about conformation and all that stuff, but he is just built like a rock and is beautiful to boot. I really wish I had a place for a buck because he would be a great herd sire. Of course then I would have to get new does and then I'm just building up numbers again. Decisions...decisions... LOL

 

[autumnprairie]

what cuties

 

[jmsim93]

Thanks!

 

[jmsim93]

Thought I would give an update since it has been so long since I have posted. I finally sold 4 of my goats and only have Caesar, my 7 month old mini lamancha buckling left to get rid of. I will be back down to my original two does. One is in milk and the other is pregnant. It was hard to part with the first kids that hit the ground here on our little farm, but that was the original plan! Here is a final farewell to those who left the farm... ;-D

Goodbye Sadie...

Goodbye Tingle...

Goodbye Lizzie...

Goodbye Crusoe

and though he's not gone yet...goodbye Caesar