New Addition

So we do have a new goat. Nubian, female, named Baby, yeah, just like our milk cow. She is black and fawn, rather lovely coloring, really. Too skinny, and skittish. But that will change quickly. She seems very happy with the foliage here, and has already decided that is part of our herd. Sh'es not overly fond of people, but once you get a hand on her or a rope round her neck she's content. Until then she tries to run away.

Our herd leader, Sparkles, is having height issues with her. Baby is the only other goat her full size, so she towers over the pigmies. Apparently she's still deciding if Baby really knows who is the boss.

One of our pygmies is expecting, and will be freshening any day now. Jelly, that's her name, got loose with the buck one day while we were camping, so we didn't realize there was "action" going on until she started to expand. Pygmies, unlike other goats are in season all yr round... other goats are in season in the fall only, which is when we usually breed them. Spring babies have a better chance at survival. So we're watching Jelly closely, waiting to see if we're needed to help with the birthing. Lots of first time moms don't realize their responsibilities with the newborns until their shown. So sometimes the twin will suffocate because the mom only cleaned the firstborn. That's what we're for. Myself and our eldest son is pretty good at this. Damp dish rags and a towel is all it takes, really. And it's not as messy as people think... but then again neither is birthing a human baby :)