rachels.haven's Journal

[Baymule]

Homemade cheese! I admire your abilities for using the milk to make nutritious good food for your family.

Coyotes-they can and will, kill and eat dogs. One night, over the TV noise and through the insulated house walls, I heard an unholy row outside. Our house sits over 100 feet from the county road, coyotes were killing a stray dog outside our front gate. The coyotes were snarling, the dog was screaming, then it all went quiet. When people toss their dogs out, they most often become a coyote meal.

We even have neighbors that will call us to warn of coyotes. Our standard is to go to the front gate and fire shots in the ground. It goes quiet, coyotes get shot at enough around here that they know to run.

Our dogs are on guard at night, their barks are music to my ears. I actually sleep better, hearing them bark and knowing that they are protecting our sheep.

 

[rachels.haven]

They do. People lose dogs here all the time, up to german shepherd sized, sometimes in groups. Often in fenced in backyards. And "lost dog" signs here are really "gone dog" signs. They don't come back. I'm sleeping with one ear open now, and I may have to bring the ax inside if our licenses don't come back soon. If I hear a dog fight, I'm not sure what I'll do but I'm telling myself it will be good. I'm just lucky we're not less 500 feet from the next dwelling. Then I would not be allowed to shoot a gun on my property when I can have one. Too bad if you're one of these people. Fitchburg is crowded.
https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/09/21/wildlife-black-bear-shot-killed-fitchburg/

I just have to focus on the fact that we're okay now, we're doing okay, and things look hopeful as long as we can hold down the fort (literally?). This is kind of a goofy place to live, but we are here.

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Sure hope you get your fence permit, ....gun permit , and gun soon....
get the fencing done ...and practice with the gun so you are comfortable.....
then I hope you will never have to use it and just be able to feel safe at your new home

 

[rachels.haven]

Thanks! Me too. Right now my brain is too scrambled from staying up until 1:30 making cheese to think straight and deal with any of that properly (no kids awake that late).

Poor Saffron. Today she came into heat. And that goat has LEGS. Guess what nigerian bucks don't have? Legs. I let both mature bucks try and they exhausted themselves and just couldn't. They can't be left together because all 140-150 lbs of her gets frustrated then she tries to ride them and they are too small for that. So poor sweetheart, no babies for you. Next year might be better for her.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Got a bale of hay? If you can hold her in front of it the guys can usually figure out how to take the next step!

 

[Senile_Texas_Aggie]

Saffron's brisket edema

Miss @rachels.haven,

Excuse my complete ignorance, but what is a brisket edema?

(Ignorant) Senile Texas Aggie

 

[rachels.haven]

Fluid in the area between the front legs under the skin. It's gone now, so now I don't have to worry. Somehow that goat got herself into trouble-stung, hit, or butted.

These three does are for sale a half an hour from me. I'm kind of interested in at least one. Does anyone know lamancha lines?

http://www.adgagenetics.org/GoatDetail.aspx?RegNumber=L001601762
http://www.adgagenetics.org/GoatDetail.aspx?RegNumber=L001947928
http://www.adgagenetics.org/GoatDetail.aspx?RegNumber=L001947898

 

[Bruce]

These three does are for sale a half an hour from me. I'm kind of interested in at least one. Does anyone know lamancha lines?

@Goat Whisperer @Southern by choice

 

[frustratedearthmother]

It's gone now, so now I don't have to worry. Somehow that goat got herself into trouble-stung, hit, or butted.

Glad it's gone!

 

[animalmom]

The goats with Kastdemur's farm name should have great genetics. Here is their website: https://kastdemurs.com and you can find pictures of the Kastdemur listed goats. Great genetics, WOW udders and teats. Go to the website, just make sure you have lots of tissue to wipe up your drool!