They’re home!
Clover, Nutmeg, and Honey arrived yesterday evening, in this crate, in the back of this pickup truck.
It was late by the time we got them situated for the night. Clover was worried. The babies were confused. Coco was excited. Dookie got a smackdown (from Clover!). I was scared the goat lady and her husband were going to leave me alone with the goats and then THEY DID. Then everybody chewed on some weeds and went to bed.
I have pictures and stories to share, so for those of you who come early, come back if you can. I will add updates to this post during the day today with more pictures of Coco meeting the goats, Clover and the babies settling in, and how we’re doing today. It’s an exciting day on the farm!
I HAVE GOATS!
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Morning Update
They’re here! And I woke up this morning and they were still here! I’m doing good so far.
This was Coco’s last free moment before her life changed forever. She was innocently planning an evening of carrying shoes off the porch and cavorting in mud puddles.
Then this truck drove up.
And people starting carting work off it.
Clover was in no hurry to get out of the crate. It took some encouragement and some cookies and some downright dragging.
Coco, still unaware that her life had just changed, was thrilled! GOATS!
She could hardly contain herself.
Well, actually, she didn’t contain herself. She bounced and circled and frolicked and asked Clover if she liked carrying shoes around, too.
Though she couldn’t stop frolicking long enough to hear Clover’s answer, which was something like, “No, I do not carry shoes. I eat shoes.”
Then the little farm shih tsu got involved.
He thought maybe these were some giant cats imported to our farm for his little-man-syndrome torture.
Immediately after this picture was taken, Clover head-butted him across the farm. Okay, not across the farm, but about a foot, and Dookie decided he was not interested in goats. He was not, of course, scared of Clover or anything. He decided, all by himself, that it was just not his thing.
He’s gotta have his pride, ya know.
Coco stopped bouncing and got all respectful and kept her distance for a bit while Clover met the chickens. The chicken welcoming committee lined up for the formal greeting ceremony.
There was some whispering amongst the committee members. “Another disappointing development. A giant puppy, now goats. What next? Ducks?”
Well……!!!! I do have a tractor to dig that duck pond now.
Coco followed her new little family around their little field and Clover tolerated her pretty well. Nutmeg and Honey just followed Clover around.
“We go wherever Mama’s udder goes.”
Speaking of Clover’s wondrous udder…..
Clover: “Could I have some privacy, please?”
Or alternately: “Leave me alone, you crazy woman!”
I’m not sure yet if Clover likes me. I haven’t tried to touch her udder yet. The babies are about three weeks old and still nursing. I’m probably going to give it a few more weeks and let the babies get close to weaning before I start milking her. In the meantime, we’ll get to know each other and I’ll talk Clover into being my friend. I have treats.
I’ll post another update with photos from today this afternoon if you’d like to come back and see more!
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Update: First Afternoon on the Goat Farm
Clover spent a lot of time “talking” this morning. I think she was looking for her goat friends and wondering where they went. She settled down after a while and I gave her some cookies and talked her into letting me take off the collar that they’d put on to help get her into the crate yesterday.
I gave her a lot of cookies. We were, like, totally best friends.
Then I said, “How about letting me touch your beautiful udder?” Just, you know, so she gets used to it. She hasn’t been milked before.
Clover was having none of that.
But there’s always tomorrow. And the next day. And the day after that. I have a lot of cookies.
And today, this is the view from my front porch.
I have goats!
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on July 26, 2008
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I’ll just bet it was an exciting day. :thumbsup:
-Kim A.
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Cant wait to see the goats in their new home and with their new companion – Cocoa
Maybe you should try to do a family animal shot!!!
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Last night at the fair, I fell in total absolute love with a fawn-colored mule. Big, B I G old thing, and just the cutest ears I have ever seen on a mule. I craved him. Of course, we live in town now, but still……..
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They are so darling. I bet they’ll eat you out of house and home! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
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I notice you mentioned that they munches some grass before settling down. I was interested in the picture from several days ago of ’someone’ mowing the goat enclosure. That’s what goats eat when they have the chance. Anything green, and lots of things that aren’t…including small trees, blackberry bushes (including thorns)…that’s why many people here in WV keep goats — it’s easier than mowing those hills. It will cut down on the goat chow bill.
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Thanks for the photo montage. I can’t wait to see more.
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I’m so excited for you Suzanne and Coco! What fun you are going to have. I can’t wait for the new adventure stories to begin.
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And…what does 52 think about all this excitement? Is he jumping right in there to help..or just watching the excitement? He seems to have a tender heart! AND I did see him hold the one baby goat when you went to the goat farm! LOL :mrgreen:
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Anyway, the goats are so adorable!
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When you said these were pygmy goats, I had no idea just how small they were! How cute!
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Coco really took to her job.
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Are you going to drive the tractor…or is that strictly for the bogs and 52?
enjoy the weekend.
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-Kim A.
P.S. Stupid dog question: I know Coco is a working dog…pup…bred for this. But uh, is it just instinctive, to protect and herd the goats? I mean, who teaches her? Does she need to be taught? Or is imprinted on her genes?
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My German Shepherd thinks he’s a cat ent. They are dogs on a mission. It’s funny how little they are when they discover it.
Suz in NV
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When I saw Clover’s collar, I had to write. It looks exactly like the collar I had on my two does two years ago…and one of them got caught on a piece of wire and strangled herself. It was so terribly sad I had to get out of goat-keeping altogether. So I felt obliged to let you know… There are cheap nylon collars with snap plastic buckles that will come apart if the animal struggles. Lots of people use those on their sheep and goats.
Good luck with your lovely little herd!
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We did the math and figured out that we are expecting between 22 and 27 babies in the Spring. :eek:
I love your blog. It’s such a fun read!
Heather