Changes on the farm

"As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." - Psalm 103:12 

This scripture popped into my head Saturday as the two Great Pyrenees, East and West, left our farm and headed back for home.  Yep!  The beautiful chicken killing goat protectors have left the premises.  The chickens cheered but I actually miss seeing their big fluffy white bodies.  In spite of her fury against the dogs, Tabby feels the same way.  We've already decided we'll have to go visit them soon.

Here's a picture from last week of Hunter hugging one of the dogs:

This past Friday night we got together with L family to "talk goats."  Yes - we have decided we want to keep some goats!  Since goats can get lonely, we decided on two.  Plus that will help keep the milk supply up a little more than what we're getting right now, with just one milk goat, since they go into heat this time of year and the milk supply drastically drops.  So we talked and worked out a general plan and strategy.

On Saturday the L family bought a buck (boy goat).  They took him to their property.  (Their house is still not quite finished being re-built, but it should be by early January.)  Then they came and got East and West and one goat, Daisy.  Today Mrs. L is planning to come and get three more goats to pack into her minvan:  the Spice girls (Nutmeg and Cloves) and Pip.  The purpose:  breeding.  

Why not do it here?  Because they said the bucks can get really mean during this time to anyone coming into their pen, and they didn't want Tabby to be in any danger when she goes to milk Christa. Plus Mr. L said bucks are extra stinky!

"Big Christa" and her kids Daisy, and Buck

Speaking of Christa, or "Big Christa" as Hunter calls her, we are buying her from the L. family.  We are not going to breed her, but just keep milking her.  (We're only getting about a cup a day right now.  Still trying to "save up" to get enough to make another batch of goat milk soap!)  We will also be keeping Christa's son Buck here for now.  He will keep Christa company.  Then the L family will take him home and eat him.  (Did you know goat meat is commonly eaten in other countries, such as India and Africa?) 

We are planning to buy Nutmeg, the little goat on the right.  These girls are both sweet and pretty goats:

The "Spice Girls" - Cloves and Nutmeg

Pip is our children's favorite goat.  She is very social, probably because she was the goat we bottle fed for so long.  The L family is giving her to Tabby for free as a pet, and Tabby is going to help pay for her "room and board" here.   She will be our "take a chance goat" as we are going to try and breed her.  Her mama was not a good milker and Pip's sibling died (probably starved).  Her mama had to be put down shortly after coming here. Pip should be able to have babies fine, but we don't know if she will be able to produce milk.  Apparently when a nanny goat has trouble making milk, her babies tend to have the same problem.  But we will try and see.  If we need to bottle feed any babies then oh well!  The kids (and I) love doing that!

Pip

Here's some pictures from last week of the goats playing "follow the leader" with Hunter:

Tabby was glad to have gotten some pictures of the dogs last week:

Tabby and West

And what blog post would be complete, without a picture of Solomon?  This kid has become a climbing machine: