Vet visit

I took the babies to see Dr. Lukacs just to get checked out. I took stool samples to be checked for coccidia (a protozoan parasite). Dr. Lukacs checked it out and he only saw a few dying cocci, so he recommended that I buy a feed that has a coccidiostat to help keep the numbers under control until they are old enough to handle them without assistance. They both are having trouble with runny poops - most likely due to the abrupt switch over to cow's milk from goat's milk. Ideally I would have slowly transitioned them over a period of one to two weeks, but unfortunately, I don't have access to fresh goat's milk. Other than the runs, they don't seem to be bothered by the switch. Juniper weighs 9 lbs. and Tulip weighs 10 lbs. I am to continue to keep them separated from Ginger and Clover to get them used to the germy climate of the Seven Valleys farm - up to two weeks if I can handle it. The girls got a clean bill of health, and as usual, Dr. Lukacs and I discussed goats at great length; this time he didn't even charge me for it!

Good First Night

Today I noticed that the little girls are having soft, yellowish poops. Yesterday, I never saw them poop, so I don't know if that's what they were doing before at their other home. Up until last evening, they've been drinking goat milk. Now they are drinking cow's milk - and that probably has caused some stomach upset. I have been adding some Probios to their milk to help out their digestive tracts as they adjust to the new milk. I have put some alfalfa pellets and Timothy /orchard grass hay in their pen - which they are eating. Juniper and Tulip have had frequent visits from the neighbor kids and adults. They had a good first night in their dog house and outdoor open pen, and this morning were hungry and ready to drink their first of three bottles of milk for the day. They seem to be adjusting nicely to their new home here in the Valley.

Welcome Juniper and Tulip

Today Jake and I brought home two Nubians, who we have named Tulip and Juniper. They are little, little babies, not even two weeks old yet. After we picked them out from about 15 cute babies, the breeder took them to be disbudded, and five minutes later, they were ready to go home with us. After a two-hour drive in the back of the van, we arrived in Seven Valleys. They will be kept separate from the rest of the herd for about a week in case either one of them turns up sick; and first thing on Monday, they will go visit the vet for any shots as needed and just a general check up.

Hoof Trimming

The goaties got their first hoof trimming (by me) this morning. Ginger wasn’t thrilled by being held in one spot, but I managed to overpower her and do my thing. I was nervous that I might cut too far and make her bleed. I can’t really see where the line is, so I just have to imagine where I think it might be. They weren’t very much in need of trimming – Dr. Lukacs trimmed them in March to show me how to do it. I was able to do all of her feet with no problems, and it seemed fairly easy. Then it was Clover’s turn; she was much more in need of a trim. I felt so confident that I boldly clipped away at her hooves. After one of the clips, she pulled her foot away quickly, and I realized that I had cut too deep and made her bleed. Argh! Prepared for such a disaster, I reached for the “Blue Kote” antiseptic spray and coated her wound – and my boots – and my gloves. Clover seems to have forgiven me for hurting her. After the hoof trimming, my clothes were covered with dirt; I didn’t realize how filthy those goats are. My next project will be… a goat bath!

More goats

This Saturday we are getting two more goats. These ones will be baby Nubian does. These are coming from a really good line of milkers too, and the man who keeps them makes cheeses from their milk; he sells his cheeses online and to local restaurants and shops. http://www.shellbarkhollow.com/

Ginger-girl

This is Ginger. She is the reigning Herd Queen of our herd of two dairy goats!! Ginger is a four-month old Saanen from Burkittsville, MD. I've always wanted a Saanen simply because they look to me like the ideal dairy goat. They are just simply a beautiful goat. She is from a great line of milkers - and I'm curious to see if she performs as her breeder says she will. Ginger is a big girl - Saanens are a large breed - and one of her favorite things to do is eat!! Ginger loves her grain, and gets giddy when she happens upon honeysuckle, sumac, or dandelions. She's a bit bossy and can seem like a loner to most people; but with me, she never can be brushed enough, and has a great capacity to love it seems when she just wants to sit with her face pressed to mine. I feel like that's her way of hugging me - I love that!

Clover

Here is Clover! Clover is an 11-week old Toggenburg. I wanted a Toggenburg because Carl Sandburg's wife, Paula, kept them for years. She became an internationally recognized dairy goat breeder; and one of her Toggenburgs, Jennifer II, broke the World Toggenburg record for milk production when she produced 5,750 pounds of milk in one year! I don't dare dream that Clover might ever get anywhere near that notariety - honestly, I'd be happy if I can get her to milking any amount! Clover is a friendly, warm, sweet, and playful little girl. She eats her grain one morsel at a time - never in a hurry. Her favorite thing to do is play on the overturned plastic chair in her yard.