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Goat Tales - 12/31/2015 11:42:03 PM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

The first baby goat of the season was born this afternoon to one of my yearling does from last December. Expecting up to as many as 18 newborns.

Expecting several does to kid within the next couple of days.

Was out in the cold scrambling to fix the gate to secure the "kid nursery". Last year my stallion stomped on two of the babies and killed them, so I was screaming at him to keep away as he kept walking over to investigate. Now mother and kid safely locked away

Wild times ahead... hoping I won't be on my knees pulling tangled babies out of the womb... I've had to do that several times now.

Nothing like being a goat gynecologist... going elbow deep into a goat's vagina is an interesting experience, let me tell you

Happy New Year

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

Post #: 1

RE: Goat Tales - 1/1/2016 12:01:58 AM

HighwayStar

Posts: 38
Joined: 11/9/2010
Status: offline

Rhonda:

Never been around goats before, but I thought most livestock birthed in the spring. The weather in NE AZ this time of year would seem to be rather harsh for newborns. My grandmother lived in Ft Defiance for many years.

(in reply to rhondabrwn)

Post #: 2

RE: Goat Tales - 1/1/2016 2:20:06 AM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

If you keep your bucks locked away you can control the timing. For various reasons my goats run free and breed naturally. It has always resulted in January and June births. I've never lost a goat to the cold. They all curl up together and do fine. I keep the does and kids locked up for 6 to 8 weeks... then I let them browse and I'll lose a few to predators.

I can't afford to keep them fenced in, they need to browse on the foliage of the ranch. The same goes for the horse, alfalfa and ChaffHaye forage is more of a supplement and treat. The sames goes for sweet feed and carrots. They eat quite well actually.

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

(in reply to HighwayStar)

Post #: 3

RE: Goat Tales - 1/1/2016 8:20:06 PM

Joe D.

Posts: 4004
Joined: 8/31/2005
From: Stratford, Connecticut
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: rhondabrwn
... I can't afford to keep them fenced in, they need to browse on the foliage of the ranch. The same goes for the horse, alfalfa and ChaffHaye forage is more of a supplement and treat. The sames goes for sweet feed and carrots. They eat quite well actually.

Free range ranch?

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Post #: 4

RE: Goat Tales - 1/1/2016 8:24:23 PM

Zorch

Posts: 7087
Joined: 3/7/2010
Status: offline

Have you tried http://www.goat-simulator.com/ ?

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Post #: 5

RE: Goat Tales - 1/1/2016 10:47:48 PM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zorch

Have you tried http://www.goat-simulator.com/ ?

Love Goat Simulator LOL

Though now that I've got 4 bucks I need to maintain constant situational awareness to cover my back! One of the young ones is a bit too aggressive, but I'm working on taming him better. He has a wicked hook with his horn and I have a huge bruise on my thigh when he got me. Not trying to get me, per se, but they get really rough when they start competing for food and you don't want to get in the way as they butt each other!

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

(in reply to Zorch)

Post #: 6

RE: Goat Tales - 1/1/2016 10:57:05 PM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

quote:

ORIGINAL: rhondabrwn
... I can't afford to keep them fenced in, they need to browse on the foliage of the ranch. The same goes for the horse, alfalfa and ChaffHaye forage is more of a supplement and treat. The sames goes for sweet feed and carrots. They eat quite well actually.

Free range ranch?

Yep, everything runs free, even the chickens sometimes. The goat herd and stallion come running when I call them. Everyone is really just a big pet on Raindow's End Ranch. I spend time every day interacting with the herd. I try and go for a walk and everyone follows along like a big parade... even the stallion.

The property is fenced, but the goats can get through it so they browse out on the open range sometimes, but will soon return to the ranch yard where they lay in the sun and chew their cud.

People are often afraid their goats will stray off, but I learned up on the Navajo rez that their livestock all free range, goats, sheep, horses... everything. The Navajo have great herd dogs too. You try to approach their herd and you have 5 or 6 dogs lined up in front of you, just daring you to try something!

My property is fenced to keep range cattle OUT rather than my own livestock IN! Cattle are a real pain, they'll break down your fences, crap everywhere, and smell bad

I can smell a herd a mile away if the wind is blowing in the right direction. I had thought I'd raise a steer for meat, but no way... disgusting animals.

Always an adventure out here on the "edge" of living.

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

(in reply to Joe D.)

Post #: 7

RE: Goat Tales - 1/1/2016 11:23:21 PM

HighwayStar

Posts: 38
Joined: 11/9/2010
Status: offline

Yeah, I remember the excitement of driving at night on the reservation. You'd come around a corner or up over a rise and be faced with horses or goats or sheep, etc. in the middle of the road

. Sure gets your heart rate up!

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Post #: 8

RE: Goat Tales - 1/2/2016 6:26:51 AM

parusski

Posts: 4804
Joined: 5/8/2000
From: Jackson Tn
Status: offline

Rhonda is going to be a busy mommy.

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Post #: 9

RE: Goat Tales - 1/3/2016 12:55:10 AM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

Two more kids born this afternoon! Babies all doing fine.

Made repairs... got the generator running and broken pipes repaired, pumped water and filled all the stock tanks, put gutters up on the barn to capture rainwater and snowmelt, and a bunch of other stuff... totally blown away... hurt everywhere

Hot fire and hot tea time

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

(in reply to parusski)

Post #: 10

RE: Goat Tales - 1/3/2016 1:17:21 AM

Missouri_Rebel

Posts: 3065
Joined: 6/19/2006
From: Southern Missouri
Status: offline

Well I don't know much about goats but I've certainly helped birth breeched and backwards calfs. There's not much more of an unpleasant task than having your arm completely in a cow while it is crapping all over your shoulder while you try to bring the legs in and the calf slowly out.

Might I ask what service you are getting from your goats? Is there a yield involved?

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(in reply to rhondabrwn)

Post #: 11

RE: Goat Tales - 1/3/2016 10:55:02 AM

Trugrit

Posts: 947
Joined: 7/14/2014
From: North Carolina
Status: offline

Rhonda,

You might be interested to know that I'm from Spindale North Carolina.
I passed the ADGA on my way to and from school as a kid.
Are you a member?

P.S.: I had bad croup as a baby and the doctor recommended goat's milk
for my dehydration.

Happy New Year.

(in reply to rhondabrwn)

Post #: 12

RE: Goat Tales - 1/3/2016 8:51:34 PM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Missouri_Rebel

Well I don't know much about goats but I've certainly helped birth breeched and backwards calfs. There's not much more of an unpleasant task than having your arm completely in a cow while it is crapping all over your shoulder while you try to bring the legs in and the calf slowly out.

Might I ask what service you are getting from your goats? Is there a yield involved?

Beginning this year, it is my intention to hold the herd at around 20 animals and sell the new kids at the Farmer's Market. I'll have enough to be worth my while to get a booth established to sell for pets, meat, or for milk production. There is also a growing business in people renting out herds for brush clearing to prevent wildflowers. Guy from Phoenix buys all the goats he can, though he tends to low ball the prices for them.

Some local people are openly selling goat milk here though it is illegal to do so without a Class A Dairy permit. Waiting to see how that goes before I try to get into that.

Mostly I just love have goats around

It's like my stallion, big hay eating pet mostly, but have gotten a stud fee for him. Thinking about getting a Jenny and breeding some mules, I hear they are real "people" critters and also good for herd protection ("kick like a mule"). People use Burros for the same purpose and even llamas up on the Rez.

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

(in reply to Missouri_Rebel)

Post #: 13

RE: Goat Tales - 1/3/2016 8:57:44 PM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Trugrit

Rhonda,

You might be interested to know that I'm from Spindale North Carolina.
I passed the ADGA on my way to and from school as a kid.
Are you a member?

P.S.: I had bad croup as a baby and the doctor recommended goat's milk
for my dehydration.

Happy New Year.

Just looked it up

Nope, I'm just a hobby rancher, pretty much treating them all like pets and letting things run naturally. Had thought about goat milk products, but my fingers have gotten too arthritic to think about hand milking goats. I also noticed that people really don't have much luck selling goat milk lotions, soaps, and other products at the Farmer's Market. Everyone thinks it's cool, but they don't buy.

Too soft hearted to eat any of them, though I consider the goats and chickens to be a "herd/flock in being" for meat use if the world collapses and I have to be self sufficient.

I've pasteurized milk, made cheese etc so I know how to do it if needed, but it really isn't worth the trouble. Easier to just buy cheese and even goat milk at the grocery. I get lots of eggs though... eat plenty of eggs!

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

(in reply to Trugrit)

Post #: 14

RE: Goat Tales - 1/3/2016 9:02:15 PM

Zap

Posts: 3639
Joined: 12/6/2004
From: LAS VEGAS TAKE A CHANCE
Status: offline

I just knew your fortunes would change with your 2500 post, lol. That's interesting about your goats mules as herd protectors hmmm.. learned something new.

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Post #: 15

RE: Goat Tales - 1/3/2016 9:04:30 PM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

News of the day... had another goat kid born this morning to one of my three yearling does. That makes 4 so far, all nice and healthy. I'm glad the new does are only have a single kid for this first time. So far, things have gone easily... no complications.

One more young doe left and she looks about ready. I expect her to kid soon.

Meanwhile, I've got 5 adult does who will probably birth a couple of kids each.

Forecast total is 15 kids at this point.

Weather has been good, but storms are expected tomorrow and for a week after. Things will get cold and messy, I'm afraid. I do have shelter for the kids though so they will be snug and warm. They all cuddle up with each other in the big dog/goat house in the kid pen. Need more shelter for the does though since I have them penned up with the kids. Got to work on that this afternoon.

We got a lot of repairs done yesterday, including getting my generator running again. Cleaned it up, changed the oil and filter, and it's running without throwing oil out the top anymore. I'm not going to trust it running unsuperivsed but as long as I keep oil in it I should be OK to pump water as needed and generate a bit of electricity if needed at nightfall.

Added a roof gutter to the barn with a downspout into a 500 gallon stock tank. Since lots of rain and snow are forecast for this winter, I should now have an extra source of water if the generator goes down again.

And that's today's Ranch Report

Thank you for all the interest, hope you find it entertaining.

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

(in reply to rhondabrwn)

Post #: 16

RE: Goat Tales - 1/4/2016 1:27:29 AM

cpdeyoung

Posts: 5368
Joined: 7/17/2007
From: South Carolina, USA
Status: offline

Hi Rhonda,

If you want to see what some farmers a long way from you have done with goats take a look at http://www.bigpicturefarm.com/ and yes the $1.00 caramels are very good.

Chuck

(in reply to rhondabrwn)

Post #: 17

RE: Goat Tales - 1/4/2016 11:26:15 PM

radic202

Posts: 598
Joined: 6/7/2012
From: Ontario, Canada
Status: offline

Awesome story Rhonda, thanks for sharing.

Years ago, I was talking to a bunch of women in a cafeteria about my "kids" and one of them kindly corrected me and said "Goats have Kids" "People have Children", I had no idea until she told me the correct term...I also wanted to tell her to "shut up" but I did not as she was slightly or very slightly much older than me.

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It is much harder to think about doing something than actually doing it!

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Post #: 18

RE: Goat Tales - 1/5/2016 2:22:09 AM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: cpdeyoung

Hi Rhonda,

If you want to see what some farmers a long way from you have done with goats take a look at http://www.bigpicturefarm.com/ and yes the $1.00 caramels are very good.

Chuck

Making me hungry for some carmels :) Thanks for sharing!

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

(in reply to cpdeyoung)

Post #: 19

RE: Goat Tales - 1/6/2016 6:00:31 AM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

A bit of a sad day

Star, one of my older does, had two kids this morning. The little female was up and nursing, but the male was down and not moving. The placenta was stretched over his mouth and I don't think he could breathe. I cleared his air passages and massaged him and got him breathing, but he was limp as a sock and not moving.

Got them all into the "kid pen" and laid the male down in the sun and awaited developments. Mom showed no interest and he wasn't moving much. As the sun went down I took him into the house and put him on a blanket. He moved his head a bit when I cuddled him but didn't improve any further. I knew he was going to die but didn't want him to go into the night without some affection to ease his passage. Normally I don't name the kids until I'm sure they are old enough to survive (it gets too painful when some of them fall victims to predators). I was already too emotionally involved so I violated my own rule and named the little one. I chose "Thresher" in reference to the submarine tragedy since that ship "died before it had a chance to live" in the same sense.

Little Thresher died a couple of hours ago. I will find a good resting spot out on the open range tomorrow.

A sad day, but the other five kids are all doing fine.

We might have up to 10 inches of snow coming Thursday... more kids coming soon. I will be busy through this storm!

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

(in reply to rhondabrwn)

Post #: 20

RE: Goat Tales - 1/6/2016 9:08:38 AM

parusski

Posts: 4804
Joined: 5/8/2000
From: Jackson Tn
Status: offline

Well Rhonda as you and I have discussed privately my wife and I will stop by for a few days on our national tour and help you. Looking forward to it.

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Post #: 21

RE: Goat Tales - 1/13/2016 1:02:24 AM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

Despite the three kids who didn't make it, I'm now up 11 kids with possibly 4 more to come yet.

One of my two year old does had TRIPLETS! All three doing fine. First time to have that happen :)

So tired from feeding two kid pens plus the rest of the herd that is still running loose. Goats wanting out of the pens, goats wanting inside because they think they are getting more feed... it's a zoo! Hard freeze so busting ice all day and hauling water.

I ran out of firewood three days ago and I'm not happy with what they are asking ($300 a truckload) so I'm scraping by without any heat till I find some lower price suppliers. Outside temps down to 11 degrees, but the house only gets down to 42 degrees by dawn. I've got plenty of blankets and dogs to keep me warm through the night and then I jump out and into my insulated coveralls for the day. Scrounged some deadwood and got a fire going last night but by dawn the house was still down to 42 degrees so I'm foregoing a fire tonight and didn't gather any wood.

Thinking I can save a bunch of money if I can maybe survive on a wee fire in the evening and let everything else stay cold once I do buy firewood.

Since the kitchen is colder than the refrigerator I can leave leftovers on the stove until I'm ready to heat them up again... they keep quite well. Soda's are all ice cold just from sitting on the floor. Trips to the bathroom do feel like it was an outhouse though

Brrrrr... cold seat

All part of the incredible (or pathetic) adventure that is my life!

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

(in reply to parusski)

Post #: 22

RE: Goat Tales - 1/13/2016 2:10:26 AM

Zap

Posts: 3639
Joined: 12/6/2004
From: LAS VEGAS TAKE A CHANCE
Status: offline

Its your adventure that's what counts. You have to be happy.

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Post #: 23

RE: Goat Tales - 1/16/2016 1:50:23 AM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zap

Its your adventure that's what counts. You have to be happy.

Definitely!

I could do without winter though

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

(in reply to Zap)

Post #: 24

RE: Goat Tales - 1/16/2016 2:18:40 AM

Qwixt

Posts: 902
Joined: 6/19/2006
Status: offline

No new kid pictures?

(in reply to rhondabrwn)

Post #: 25

RE: Goat Tales - 1/20/2016 11:31:16 PM

rhondabrwn

Posts: 2570
Joined: 9/29/2004
From: Snowflake, Arizona
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Qwixt

No new kid pictures?

Had them on my phone and they were too big to upload. Have to move them onto the PC where I can resize them automatically. Will do that soon... promise.

_____________________________

Love & Peace,

Far Dareis Mai

My old Piczo site seems to be gone, so no more Navajo Nation pics :(

(in reply to Qwixt)

Post #: 26

RE: Goat Tales - 1/24/2016 4:45:44 PM

Orm